Question Time Leaders’ Special: Political Energy and Intense Discussions
The main concern of the campaigns following the Question Time Leaders’ Special is whether the event changed the course of the election. While it is often difficult to determine this immediately, it seems that the answer is probably not. Nonetheless, there were moments of intense political energy throughout the two-hour event, especially due to the forthright and impassioned audience who asked difficult questions to the four leaders.
Firstly, Sir Ed Davey confronted the challenges of the night. For much of his campaign, he has been successful in his approach of grabbing attention for his core messages on health and care with eye-grabbing stunts. However, within minutes of the Question Time Leaders’ Special, Sir Ed’s stunts were turned against him, accusing him of un-seriousness. Nevertheless, he found his footing and managed to disarm difficult questioners, although the compromises of the coalition that still haunt the Liberal Democrats nine years after it ended became difficult territory for him.
Secondly, John Swinney also faced the implications of the night. Although he was the newest party leader taking part, he is far from new to politics, as he first entered the Commons in 1997 (though quickly moved north to Holyrood). Mr Swinney succeeded in avoiding the legal turmoil that has engulfed senior SNP figures by pivoting to defend the SNP’s actions as a government. However, this tactic may have meant that he missed an opportunity to carve out a more distinctive position to the left of the Labour Party.
Finally, the remaining two leaders, one of whom will be heading to Buckingham Palace to form a government on 5 July, had different requirements and therefore very different strategies. Sir Keir Starmer faced moments of difficulty, especially regarding his past support for Jeremy Corbyn, which is particularly sensitive for him as it raises a much more fundamental issue: honesty. However, he managed to avoid making major errors and addressed some core themes of his campaign that resonated well with the audience, winning a round of applause.
On the other hand, Rishi Sunak had a different mission, seeking to transform the dynamic of this election campaign. After an extremely difficult 24 hours for the Conservatives, Mr Sunak entered the event with pep in his step. Nonetheless, the brutal reality of his position was immediately exposed, as many members of the audience were visibly angry with him, even those who did not speak. Although he managed to deliver some of the messages which he had hoped would sit at the heart of this election campaign, the Conservatives’ team will be frustrated at the fact that they have spent so long being blown off course by mishaps past and present
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