Boris and Hunt clash in TV debate - but who won?
Tory leadership rivals go head to head in bad-tempered broadcast
Tory leadership contenders Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt clashed on Brexit and the US ambassador row during a televised debate last night.
Hunt repeatedly asked his rival whether he would resign as prime minister if he fails to deliver Brexit by 31 October, while Johnson admired his rival's ability “to change his mind” so often - in reference to the fact Hunt voted Remain.
The BBC described it as a “lively and occasionally bad-tempered TV debate” that was “pointed and personal in nature at times”, while The Sun reports that the rivals “tore chunks out of each other”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Daily Telegraph sketch said there was “no more Mr Nice Guy” as Hunt “attacked” Johnson “with a vengeance,” while The Independent felt that, going in “as the underdog,” Hunt “went on the attack from the start”.
The Guardian says the “bitter blue-on-blue debate” saw Johnson “struggle over the issue of why he is targeting income tax cuts at higher earners,” while Hunt “could not really address” how to stop parliament blocking a no-deal Brexit.
The Times says the debate saw “BoJo the mojo mumbler” against a “wild eyed tele-evangelist” on “a cross between Who Wants To Be Grilled On Air and I’m a Mediocrity . . . Get Me In There”, while the Daily Mail says “it felt like seeing the Head Boy debate the class clown”.
When Johnson repeatedly failed to answer if he would resign if he failed to deliver Brexit by 31 October, Hunt said: “Being prime minister is about telling people what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear.”
However, Johnson said his rival was “not absolutely committed” to the deadline himself, and described him as “defeatist”. He added: “I think it is extraordinary we should be telling the British electorate we are willing to kick the can down the road. I would like to know how many more days my opponent would be willing to delay.”
The pair also clashed over the on-going row over the UK's top diplomat in the US, Sir Kim Darroch.
Johnson refused to condemn Trump for his response to the leaked cables and also declined to confirm whether he would keep the ambassador in his post after Trump said he was no longer prepared to deal with him.
Whether the debate has changed the course of the leadership race is less than clear. The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg says that many Conservative members will have voted before the debate. “Johnson arrived the favourite and leaves in the same position,” she said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why au pairs might become a thing of the past
Under The Radar Brexit and wage ruling are threatening the 'mutually beneficial arrangement'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
How will honeytrap scandal change Westminster?
Today's Big Question Security procedures laid bare by spear phishing attack as focus shifts to 'political insider' being responsible
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Farewell to Theresa May: a PM consumed by Brexit
Talking Point Maidenhead MP standing down at next general election
By The Week UK Published
-
Britain's biggest political donors
The Explainer With the 2024 general election set to be the highest-spending contest ever we look at who is giving to which party and why
By The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
Badenoch, Johnson or 'full Trump': who is the future of the Tory Party?
Today's Big Question Tory moderates are preparing to do battle with the right of the party in a post-Sunak leadership election
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published