A debate held on ITV News saw seven candidates from the UK’s major political parties argue over immigration, child benefit, tax, and trust. The questions came from an audience in Salford, as well as from each other, marking the midpoint of the six-week general election campaign. Representatives from the Conservatives, Labour, the SNP, the Greens, Reform UK, and Plaid Cymru, discussed a range of topics. Conservative Penny Mordaunt focused her attack on Labour, accusing them of planning to raise taxes, which Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner refused to accept.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage argued that his party was the “opposition to Labour,” stating that a single poll suggested his party could finish ahead of the Conservatives into third place, although within the margin of error. During the debate, the smaller parties often argued that Labour was too similar to the Conservatives and focused attacks on Labour. Conservative figures have urged traditional voters not to support Reform UK, saying it would help put Keir Starmer in Downing Street.
Mr Farage responded by saying a vote for the Conservatives would “enable” a Labour government, as the party had repeatedly promised and failed to reduce immigration. He accused Ms Mordaunt, of being “a Labour enabler” by splitting Conservative voters. However, most of Ms Mordaunt’s attention during the event was focused on the Labour party.
Concerning child benefit, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth expressed surprise that Labour was not promising to get rid of the two-child benefit limit, a cap he says that damages poorer families, while Mr Farage appeared to back it. Finally, the politicians were asked how they would rebuild public trust in politics. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper called for proportional representation to replace the current voting model, which was also backed by Ms Denyer and Mr Farage
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