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| Snap verdict on Tory leadership debate: a win for Hunt that may not matter – as it happened | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt escalated the blue-on-blue warfare in Tuesday night’s televised debate, trading blows on which potential prime minister could see through a no-deal Brexit, as Hunt repeatedly emphasised his rival’s refusal to answer questions. As Jessica Elgot reports, the bitter back-and-forth, which will raise questions over whether Hunt could serve in a Johnson government after the aspersions he cast on his rival, saw the foreign secretary accuse Johnson of putting personal ambition above the welfare of the country. In the hour-long ITV broadcast, Johnson swerved questions repeatedly on whether he would resign if he failed to deliver Brexit by 31 October and declined to condemn Donald Trump for his attacks on the British ambassador. Johnson also gave equivocal answers on issues including HS2, Heathrow’s third runway, and abortion and LGBT rights in Northern Ireland. | Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt escalated the blue-on-blue warfare in Tuesday night’s televised debate, trading blows on which potential prime minister could see through a no-deal Brexit, as Hunt repeatedly emphasised his rival’s refusal to answer questions. As Jessica Elgot reports, the bitter back-and-forth, which will raise questions over whether Hunt could serve in a Johnson government after the aspersions he cast on his rival, saw the foreign secretary accuse Johnson of putting personal ambition above the welfare of the country. In the hour-long ITV broadcast, Johnson swerved questions repeatedly on whether he would resign if he failed to deliver Brexit by 31 October and declined to condemn Donald Trump for his attacks on the British ambassador. Johnson also gave equivocal answers on issues including HS2, Heathrow’s third runway, and abortion and LGBT rights in Northern Ireland. |
| MPs have voted resoundingly to extend same-sex marriage and access to abortion to Northern Ireland, bringing the region into line with the rest of the UK on the two significant social issues. | MPs have voted resoundingly to extend same-sex marriage and access to abortion to Northern Ireland, bringing the region into line with the rest of the UK on the two significant social issues. |
| Transatlantic tensions over the British ambassador’s leaked criticisms of Donald Trump have grown into a diplomatic crisis after the US president attacked Sir Kim Darroch as “a pompous fool” and his commerce secretary postponed planned trade talks with Liam Fox. | Transatlantic tensions over the British ambassador’s leaked criticisms of Donald Trump have grown into a diplomatic crisis after the US president attacked Sir Kim Darroch as “a pompous fool” and his commerce secretary postponed planned trade talks with Liam Fox. |
| Jeremy Corbyn has sought to draw a line under Labour’s Brexit travails by announcing a “settled” policy of backing remain in any referendum called on a Conservative deal. | Jeremy Corbyn has sought to draw a line under Labour’s Brexit travails by announcing a “settled” policy of backing remain in any referendum called on a Conservative deal. |
| That’s all from me for tonight. | That’s all from me for tonight. |
| Thanks for the comments. | Thanks for the comments. |
| Here is my colleague Rowena Mason on who did best. | Here is my colleague Rowena Mason on who did best. |
| Tory leadership debate: who came out on top? | Tory leadership debate: who came out on top? |
| The ITV debate started just as MPs were voting on Dominic Grieve’s amendment 17. (See 8.02pm.) It was defeated by 293 votes to 289 - a majority of 4. | The ITV debate started just as MPs were voting on Dominic Grieve’s amendment 17. (See 8.02pm.) It was defeated by 293 votes to 289 - a majority of 4. |
| So, two of Grieve’s amendments were defeated, but one was passed. (See 7.41pm.) | So, two of Grieve’s amendments were defeated, but one was passed. (See 7.41pm.) |
| This is what political journalists and commentators are saying about the debate on Twitter. | This is what political journalists and commentators are saying about the debate on Twitter. |
| Generally, the view seems to be that Jeremy Hunt did well, but not well enough to make a difference. | Generally, the view seems to be that Jeremy Hunt did well, but not well enough to make a difference. |
| From ITV’s Robert Peston | From ITV’s Robert Peston |
| I’d say @Jeremy_Hunt won that. He took a risk in attacking @BorisJohnson so repeatedly but Johnson looked rattled, especially when pressed on why his first policy announcement was to cut taxes for high earners. That said Johnson’s pledge to deliver Brexit by 31 October... | I’d say @Jeremy_Hunt won that. He took a risk in attacking @BorisJohnson so repeatedly but Johnson looked rattled, especially when pressed on why his first policy announcement was to cut taxes for high earners. That said Johnson’s pledge to deliver Brexit by 31 October... |
| From the Spectator’s James Forsyth | From the Spectator’s James Forsyth |
| No game changing moment so a good night for Boris Johnson despite Hunt presssing him hard throughout the debate | No game changing moment so a good night for Boris Johnson despite Hunt presssing him hard throughout the debate |
| From Sky’s Beth Rigby | From Sky’s Beth Rigby |
| Half time. I’d say they were evenly matched in round one. But big point of difference. Hunt won’t prorogue parliament while Johnson won’t rule it out. Perhaps this is what Conservative party members want, but what about the wider public? A PM that would suspend parliament? | Half time. I’d say they were evenly matched in round one. But big point of difference. Hunt won’t prorogue parliament while Johnson won’t rule it out. Perhaps this is what Conservative party members want, but what about the wider public? A PM that would suspend parliament? |
| It’s shifting in the room now. Johnson seems to have lost the audience over his refusal to answer on whether he’ll back our ambassador or not. I suspect lots of people are very angry about Trump’s treatment of our current PM and our ambo. #ITVDebate | It’s shifting in the room now. Johnson seems to have lost the audience over his refusal to answer on whether he’ll back our ambassador or not. I suspect lots of people are very angry about Trump’s treatment of our current PM and our ambo. #ITVDebate |
| Both sides in spin room are claiming victory but Hunt had edge in 2nd half. Rattled Johnson on tax cuts & clearly won room on his spirited defence of our ambo and PM as Johnson blustered and dodged. You can see why Team Johnson chose to delay all of this until ballot papers out | Both sides in spin room are claiming victory but Hunt had edge in 2nd half. Rattled Johnson on tax cuts & clearly won room on his spirited defence of our ambo and PM as Johnson blustered and dodged. You can see why Team Johnson chose to delay all of this until ballot papers out |
| From ITV’s Tom Bradby | From ITV’s Tom Bradby |
| Snap verdict; Boris Johnson had the 1st half hour, but Jeremy Hunt finished strongly and Boris J's refusal to answer a single question is a problem. | Snap verdict; Boris Johnson had the 1st half hour, but Jeremy Hunt finished strongly and Boris J's refusal to answer a single question is a problem. |
| I suspect Boris Johnson will still win, but I will say this; I can't recall anyone becoming PM having given so little idea as to how he will actually respond to the challenges he will really face. | I suspect Boris Johnson will still win, but I will say this; I can't recall anyone becoming PM having given so little idea as to how he will actually respond to the challenges he will really face. |
| From my colleague Jennifer Rankin | From my colleague Jennifer Rankin |
| Watching Brexit part of #ITVDebate I thought Jeremy Hunt came across better, less hectoring, more assured than Boris Johnson. But both talking pie in the sky on Brexit negotiations, although Johnson is worse. | Watching Brexit part of #ITVDebate I thought Jeremy Hunt came across better, less hectoring, more assured than Boris Johnson. But both talking pie in the sky on Brexit negotiations, although Johnson is worse. |
| From the Sunday Times’ Tim Shipman | From the Sunday Times’ Tim Shipman |
| Winners of the debate1 Julie Etchingham2= Boris Johnson (bravura, occasionally chaotic but no gaffe that will unseat him)2= Jeremy Hunt (spiky and well prepared with ambush quotes but no game changing moment)4 The public (another hour of our lives we won't get back)5 The BBC | Winners of the debate1 Julie Etchingham2= Boris Johnson (bravura, occasionally chaotic but no gaffe that will unseat him)2= Jeremy Hunt (spiky and well prepared with ambush quotes but no game changing moment)4 The public (another hour of our lives we won't get back)5 The BBC |
| From the FT’s Sebastian Payne | From the FT’s Sebastian Payne |
| Conclusion on #ITVDebate: Jeremy Hunt performed well - better on detail and showed enthusiasm. But it wasn't a game changer, so the Boris Johnson juggernaut goes on. Notably the whole tone was set by Boris' humour, not Hunt's policy detail. The audience didn't seem to care. | Conclusion on #ITVDebate: Jeremy Hunt performed well - better on detail and showed enthusiasm. But it wasn't a game changer, so the Boris Johnson juggernaut goes on. Notably the whole tone was set by Boris' humour, not Hunt's policy detail. The audience didn't seem to care. |
| From the New Statesman’s Patrick Maguire | From the New Statesman’s Patrick Maguire |
| Excellent on the whistle-take on the debate by @patrickkmaguire: https://t.co/aJom07mbPQ | Excellent on the whistle-take on the debate by @patrickkmaguire: https://t.co/aJom07mbPQ |
| And here’s an extract from Maguire’s article. | And here’s an extract from Maguire’s article. |
| The foreign secretary gave a spirited, combative performance, and Johnson spent much of the hour on the ropes and visibly rattled as a result. | The foreign secretary gave a spirited, combative performance, and Johnson spent much of the hour on the ropes and visibly rattled as a result. |
| But does it stand any chance of translating into a shock victory? For the answer, look to Johnson’s reply to the final question of the debate: what qualities did the candidates most admire in their opponent? | But does it stand any chance of translating into a shock victory? For the answer, look to Johnson’s reply to the final question of the debate: what qualities did the candidates most admire in their opponent? |
| The frontrunner responded with mockery of Hunt’s ability to change his mind on Brexit. Add that to his willingness to commit what many Tory members believe to be the unforgivable heresy of entertaining EU membership beyond 31 October and it is plain to see why, despite his far from watertight platform, Johnson remains in pole position. | The frontrunner responded with mockery of Hunt’s ability to change his mind on Brexit. Add that to his willingness to commit what many Tory members believe to be the unforgivable heresy of entertaining EU membership beyond 31 October and it is plain to see why, despite his far from watertight platform, Johnson remains in pole position. |
| From the BBC’s Susana Mendonca | From the BBC’s Susana Mendonca |
| A better debate for Jeremy Hunt than for Boris Johnson as Hunt kept exposing Boris’ refusal to answer questions - but most Tory members will have voted by now, so probably too late for it to make any difference anyway #ITVDebate #ToryLeadership @BBCRadioLondon | A better debate for Jeremy Hunt than for Boris Johnson as Hunt kept exposing Boris’ refusal to answer questions - but most Tory members will have voted by now, so probably too late for it to make any difference anyway #ITVDebate #ToryLeadership @BBCRadioLondon |
| From the Mail on Sunday’s Harry Cole | From the Mail on Sunday’s Harry Cole |
| Suspect hunt won’t be upset with that perfomance but he needed a game changer. Not sure about that 45 min ranty bit not sure Johnson will be dented much. Got through relatively unscathed. | Suspect hunt won’t be upset with that perfomance but he needed a game changer. Not sure about that 45 min ranty bit not sure Johnson will be dented much. Got through relatively unscathed. |
| From ITV’s Piers Morgan | From ITV’s Piers Morgan |
| Hunt won that debate. Boris started well then blew it by descending into bluster, obfuscation & question-avoidance. Hunt grew in confidence, answered questions & rattled his opponent. All expertly moderated by @julieetchitv & directed by @errongordon. #ITVDebate | Hunt won that debate. Boris started well then blew it by descending into bluster, obfuscation & question-avoidance. Hunt grew in confidence, answered questions & rattled his opponent. All expertly moderated by @julieetchitv & directed by @errongordon. #ITVDebate |
| From the BBC’s Nick Eardley | From the BBC’s Nick Eardley |
| Some takeaways;-Gloves came off. Hunt landed a few blows, but no knockout. Johnson fought back -Johnson wouldn’t promise to quit if doesn’t deliver Brexit by Oct-No clarity on how long Hunt would extend- Hunt pledged to keep US ambassador, Johnson didn’t | Some takeaways;-Gloves came off. Hunt landed a few blows, but no knockout. Johnson fought back -Johnson wouldn’t promise to quit if doesn’t deliver Brexit by Oct-No clarity on how long Hunt would extend- Hunt pledged to keep US ambassador, Johnson didn’t |
| From ITV’s Susanna Reid | From ITV’s Susanna Reid |
| Boris won on style. Hunt won on substance. #ITVDebate | Boris won on style. Hunt won on substance. #ITVDebate |
| From the Telegraph’s Tim Stanley | From the Telegraph’s Tim Stanley |
| In summary: Boris doesn't answer questions, Hunt gives answers no one wants to hear. #itvdebate | In summary: Boris doesn't answer questions, Hunt gives answers no one wants to hear. #itvdebate |
| In the early stages of the Tory leadership contest the Boris Johnson camp concluded that Michael Gove would pose more of a threat than Jeremy Hunt in the final stage of the contest, and it is widely assumed at Westminster that this assessment resulted in Team Johnson lending Hunt the votes he need to beat Gove by just two in the MPs’ ballot. The calculation was that Gove would be more brutal in debate. After tonight, that’s not looking such a good judgment because Hunt was more assertive than we’ve seen him before, challenging Johnson repeatedly on specifics. Judged on these skirmishes, Hunt won the debate handsomely. He came over as better briefed and more forensic, and there were several moments in the debate where Johnson found bluster and bonhomie a poor substitute for arguments. | In the early stages of the Tory leadership contest the Boris Johnson camp concluded that Michael Gove would pose more of a threat than Jeremy Hunt in the final stage of the contest, and it is widely assumed at Westminster that this assessment resulted in Team Johnson lending Hunt the votes he need to beat Gove by just two in the MPs’ ballot. The calculation was that Gove would be more brutal in debate. After tonight, that’s not looking such a good judgment because Hunt was more assertive than we’ve seen him before, challenging Johnson repeatedly on specifics. Judged on these skirmishes, Hunt won the debate handsomely. He came over as better briefed and more forensic, and there were several moments in the debate where Johnson found bluster and bonhomie a poor substitute for arguments. |
| That said, given what all the polling is telling us about the Conservative membership, it would have taken a Titanic disaster for Johnson start throwing away large numbers of votes amongst the (possibly few) Tory members who have not already returned the ballot papers that went out by post last week. Johnson sounded glib and cavalier, but it would be impossible to have been involved in Conservative politics and not to have noticed that he’s like that already. Also, Johnson did better in the second half than in the first half - fighting Hunt to a draw on tax, to my ears, and deflating Hunt a bit by making him admit that his “keep Kim Darroch” pledge only lasted until Christmas. | That said, given what all the polling is telling us about the Conservative membership, it would have taken a Titanic disaster for Johnson start throwing away large numbers of votes amongst the (possibly few) Tory members who have not already returned the ballot papers that went out by post last week. Johnson sounded glib and cavalier, but it would be impossible to have been involved in Conservative politics and not to have noticed that he’s like that already. Also, Johnson did better in the second half than in the first half - fighting Hunt to a draw on tax, to my ears, and deflating Hunt a bit by making him admit that his “keep Kim Darroch” pledge only lasted until Christmas. |
| The debate exposed two big faultlines between the two men. Johnson is determined to play down the risk of a no-deal Brexit, while Hunt isn’t. (See 8.18pm.) And, while Hunt is willing to be at least moderately critical of President Trump, tonight Johnson refused point blank. Mainstream UK opinion, and certainly Guardian opinion, would be with Hunt on both this issues. But most Tory members are Brexiters, and there is a lot of polling evidence to suggest that leave voters believe the risks of a no-deal Brexit have been exaggerated. And, on Trump, Johnson was effectively endorsing his claim that May’s Brexit strategy has been a disaster - an assessment shared by many grassroots Conservatives. Johnson acquitted himself poorly this evening but, ideologically, he is probably in the right place for someone this electorate. | The debate exposed two big faultlines between the two men. Johnson is determined to play down the risk of a no-deal Brexit, while Hunt isn’t. (See 8.18pm.) And, while Hunt is willing to be at least moderately critical of President Trump, tonight Johnson refused point blank. Mainstream UK opinion, and certainly Guardian opinion, would be with Hunt on both this issues. But most Tory members are Brexiters, and there is a lot of polling evidence to suggest that leave voters believe the risks of a no-deal Brexit have been exaggerated. And, on Trump, Johnson was effectively endorsing his claim that May’s Brexit strategy has been a disaster - an assessment shared by many grassroots Conservatives. Johnson acquitted himself poorly this evening but, ideologically, he is probably in the right place for someone this electorate. |
| And one more point; it is important to remember that debates almost never have as much impact on elections as the media assume. | And one more point; it is important to remember that debates almost never have as much impact on elections as the media assume. |
| So, overall, it was a clear, technical victory for Hunt - but probably a superficial one too. | So, overall, it was a clear, technical victory for Hunt - but probably a superficial one too. |
| They are now making closing statements. | They are now making closing statements. |
| Hunt says he wants to make this amazing country. He only makes promises he can keep. Our country deserves no less, he says. | Hunt says he wants to make this amazing country. He only makes promises he can keep. Our country deserves no less, he says. |
| Johnson says the only way to get this country off “the hamster wheel of doom” is by getting Brexit done. This is an amazing country. Now is the time to show we believe in Britain, he says. | Johnson says the only way to get this country off “the hamster wheel of doom” is by getting Brexit done. This is an amazing country. Now is the time to show we believe in Britain, he says. |
| And that’s it. The debate is over. | And that’s it. The debate is over. |
| Reaction, analysis and a summary coming up soon. | Reaction, analysis and a summary coming up soon. |
| Q: What do you admire about each other? | Q: What do you admire about each other? |
| Johnson says he admires Hunt’s ability to change his mind - as he did over Brexit. | Johnson says he admires Hunt’s ability to change his mind - as he did over Brexit. |
| Hunt says he admires Johnson’s ability to not answer the question. Johnson cracks a joke, and you forget the question. It’s a good trait in a politician. | Hunt says he admires Johnson’s ability to not answer the question. Johnson cracks a joke, and you forget the question. It’s a good trait in a politician. |
| Q: Should HS2 be abandoned? | Q: Should HS2 be abandoned? |
| Johnson says it should be reviewed, but he won’t commit to abandoning it. | Johnson says it should be reviewed, but he won’t commit to abandoning it. |
| Hunt says it should be backed to the hilt. | Hunt says it should be backed to the hilt. |
| Q: Will you publish a plan for social care this year? | Q: Will you publish a plan for social care this year? |
| Yes, says Hunt. | Yes, says Hunt. |
| Yes, says Johnson. | Yes, says Johnson. |
| Q: Will you stop Heathrow’s third runway going ahead? | Q: Will you stop Heathrow’s third runway going ahead? |
| Johnson says he has the gravest reservations about this. | Johnson says he has the gravest reservations about this. |
| Hunt says Johnson should be able to answer this. | Hunt says Johnson should be able to answer this. |
| Q: Would you scrap universal credit? | Q: Would you scrap universal credit? |
| No, says Hunt. He says it has teething problems, but it is right in principle. | No, says Hunt. He says it has teething problems, but it is right in principle. |
| Johnson also says he would keep it. | Johnson also says he would keep it. |
| Q: Do you support extending abortion rights and same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland? | Q: Do you support extending abortion rights and same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland? |
| Yes, says Hunt. | Yes, says Hunt. |
| Johnson says these are matters for the Northern Ireland assembly. | Johnson says these are matters for the Northern Ireland assembly. |
| Q: Why was your first plan tax cuts for the rich? | Q: Why was your first plan tax cuts for the rich? |
| Johnson says it was part of a package. | Johnson says it was part of a package. |
| Hunt butts in. He says it was a mistake. He says he has spent his life telling people that the Tories are not just a party for the rich. | Hunt butts in. He says it was a mistake. He says he has spent his life telling people that the Tories are not just a party for the rich. |
| Johnson asks Hunt if he is in favour of people on modest incomes having to pay higher rates of tax. | Johnson asks Hunt if he is in favour of people on modest incomes having to pay higher rates of tax. |
| Johnson is refusing to let Hunt answer. He claims Hunt won’t reply, but he has not let him reply. | Johnson is refusing to let Hunt answer. He claims Hunt won’t reply, but he has not let him reply. |
| Hunt says Johnson never answers the question. | Hunt says Johnson never answers the question. |
| He says his priority for tax cuts would be people on low incomes. He says he has spent his life saying the Tories are not the party of the rich, but a party for everyone. | He says his priority for tax cuts would be people on low incomes. He says he has spent his life saying the Tories are not the party of the rich, but a party for everyone. |
| Q: I am struggling to manage. Why are you prioritising tax cuts for the rich or for business, instead of for people like me? | Q: I am struggling to manage. Why are you prioritising tax cuts for the rich or for business, instead of for people like me? |
| Hunt says he has prioritised corporation tax cuts. But that is because he wants to boost the economy. President Trump cut business taxes, and the US economy is now growing twice as fast as the UK’s. | Hunt says he has prioritised corporation tax cuts. But that is because he wants to boost the economy. President Trump cut business taxes, and the US economy is now growing twice as fast as the UK’s. |
| He says he wants to grow the size of the cake. | He says he wants to grow the size of the cake. |
| “Absolutely right,” says Johnson. | “Absolutely right,” says Johnson. |
| He says he would focus on the hardest pressed. He says as mayor of London he expanded the living wage. He wants to help the low paid by taking them out of national insurance. But he also thinks too many people are being dragged into the higher rate of tax. | He says he would focus on the hardest pressed. He says as mayor of London he expanded the living wage. He wants to help the low paid by taking them out of national insurance. But he also thinks too many people are being dragged into the higher rate of tax. |
| Q: Can someone trust a remain voter to deliver Brexit? | Q: Can someone trust a remain voter to deliver Brexit? |
| Yes, says Hunt. He says he voted remain, but he delivered the extra £350m week promised for the NHS. | Yes, says Hunt. He says he voted remain, but he delivered the extra £350m week promised for the NHS. |
| Q: Why did you get your facts wrong on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe? | Q: Why did you get your facts wrong on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe? |
| Johnson says the Iranians are to blame for what happened to her. | Johnson says the Iranians are to blame for what happened to her. |
| They are back. | They are back. |
| Q: Tell us about your character, your qualities? | Q: Tell us about your character, your qualities? |
| Johnson says he can get surprise results in difficult circumstances, as he did when he was London mayor. | Johnson says he can get surprise results in difficult circumstances, as he did when he was London mayor. |
| Hunt says he is prepared to deliver tough messages, as he did to President Trump today. | Hunt says he is prepared to deliver tough messages, as he did to President Trump today. |
| Q: What is your response? | Q: What is your response? |
| Johnson says it is very important to have a good relationship with the White House. | Johnson says it is very important to have a good relationship with the White House. |
| He says Trump was dragged into a political debate. That is sometimes not the right thing to do. | He says Trump was dragged into a political debate. That is sometimes not the right thing to do. |
| On Kim Darroch, Johnson says it is vital that advice given to ministers should not be leaked by ministers. | On Kim Darroch, Johnson says it is vital that advice given to ministers should not be leaked by ministers. |
| Johnson refuses to criticise President Trump for what he said about Theresa May. | Johnson refuses to criticise President Trump for what he said about Theresa May. |
| Q: Will Kim Darroch stay in office? | Q: Will Kim Darroch stay in office? |
| Hunt says who chooses our ambassador is a matter for the UK government. If he is PM, Darroch stays. | Hunt says who chooses our ambassador is a matter for the UK government. If he is PM, Darroch stays. |
| Johnson repeats his point about the need for ministers not to leak. | Johnson repeats his point about the need for ministers not to leak. |
| Johnson implies that a minister was to blame for the Kim Darroch leak. | Johnson implies that a minister was to blame for the Kim Darroch leak. |
| Q: Will you keep him? | Q: Will you keep him? |
| Johnson refuses to say. | Johnson refuses to say. |
| Hunt says he will keep Darroch until he is due to retire. | Hunt says he will keep Darroch until he is due to retire. |
| Johnson refuses to say that. | Johnson refuses to say that. |
| But he says he, and he alone, will decide who takes politically important jobs like this one. | But he says he, and he alone, will decide who takes politically important jobs like this one. |
| Johnson refuses to commit to keeping Kim Darroch as ambassador to Washington. | Johnson refuses to commit to keeping Kim Darroch as ambassador to Washington. |