Tory Leadership Rivals Trade Blows Over Tax And Inflation

Sunak and Truss clash repeatedly in acrimonious debate

-  Ben Quinn Jess Elgot Rajeev Syal

The battle to become the UK's next prime minister descended into highly damaging clashes last night as Rishi Sunak launched repeated attacks upon the economic policies of the favourite Liz Truss in their first head-to-head televised debate.

The two Conservative leadership hopefuls traded blows over tax cuts and inflation, with the former chancellor Sunak accusing the foreign secretary of seeking "a short • term sugar rush" by cutting national insurance. Truss accused the former chancellor of putting up taxes to the highest level for 70 years.

The exchanges at the BBC debate followed a weekend of deeply personal attacks in the contest, including on-the-record criticisms singling out Sunak's wealth and wardrobe, while Truss has faced claims of being economically illiterate and a former Brexit remainder.

Sunak, widely seen as having to make up crucial ground to win over the Conservative membership, who will vote from August 5, repeatedly described his opponent's plans on the economy as "not conservative," interrupting her at point to say: "You promised almost £40bn of unfunded tax cuts, £40bn more borrowing.

"That is the country's credit card. It's our children and grandchildren ... everyone here ... who are going to have to pick up the tab for that."

Truss hit back over Sunak's calls for a tougher stance on China, pointing out that the Treasury just last month was calling for closer bilateral and economic ties.

With postal ballots set to arrive on Tory members' doorsteps by August 5, Sunak faced pressure to use the BBC debate and another hosted by TalkTV and the Sun today - to make an early breakthrough.

Although Sunak comfortably won the leadership race among Tory MPs, Truss is the favourite to win after a series of opinion polls and surveys put her firmly ahead with Conservative members.