The upcoming General Election’s television debates will be pivotal as PM Rishi Sunak proposes six debates, challenging Labour’s Keir Starmer, who leads in the polls. With the focus on leader personalities and key policies, minor parties aim to influence the narrative, shaping the UK’s political future.
Television debates have been a critical component of general election campaigns in the UK since 2010. This trend began with the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg’s impressive performance, which led to a surge in support for his Party, a phenomenon known as ‘Cleggmania’. These debates offer a platform for leaders to directly engage with voters and each other, influencing public opinion and potentially shifting an election’s outcome.
Sunak vs Starmer: High Stakes and High Drama in the Television Debates
In the run-up to the upcoming July Election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer are expected to engage in a series of television debates. Traditionally, there have been two head-to-head debates between the Conservative and Labour leaders, with additional debates including smaller party leaders. However, Sunak has proposed an unprecedented six debates, challenging Starmer to one each week of the campaign (Starmer has made it clear he would only opt for two debates, one with ITV and one with the BBC). This strategy underscores the increasingly presidential nature of UK elections, where the focus is on the leaders and personalities rather than the parties and policies.
Currently, the Conservatives are trailing by 21 percentage points in the polls. This dynamic means Sunak has everything to gain from these debates, while Starmer, who is leading, has much to lose. The possibility of an unforeseen event influencing the election remains, adding an element of unpredictability.
Sunak has expressed his enthusiasm for frequent debates, stating, “When people are considering that choice, I am happy to debate Keir Starmer as many times as he would like, on that choice.” Starmer, while initially receptive to the idea, with a defiant, “bring it on,” has since emphasised that Labour’s priority is to spend time on the road engaging with voters rather than participating in an increased number of debates.
The Policy Battleground
The debates will likely focus on key policy issues, with the economy and the NHS at the forefront. Sunak is expected to leverage his experience as a financier and former Chancellor during the COVID-19 pandemic to argue for his economic policies. He is likely to frame the debate around choices such as cutting taxes versus raising taxes on working households, and prioritising energy security over what he terms “environmental dogma”.
In contrast, Starmer, who often comes across as robotic in election settings, will need to demonstrate a clear and compelling vision for the future to maintain his lead. His responses to Sunak’s attacks on Labour’s economic policies and approach to Net Zero could be crucial in swaying undecided voters.
The coming weeks will show whether Sunak’s aggressive debate strategy pays off or if Starmer can maintain his lead by focusing on direct voter engagement. As the debates unfold, the stakes will only get higher, making this Election one of the most closely watched in recent history.
Sir Ed Davey: The Focused Campaigner
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has maintained a focused and consistent message throughout the campaign. Unlike the major parties, which have been trying to appeal to a broad electorate, the Liberal Democrats have targeted specific constituencies with precision. This strategy allows Davey to stay on message and clearly articulate his Party’s priorities (which Chamber hears will be the cost-of-living, the NHS, and sewage…a sharp change from their highly EU-focussed 2019 campaign).
However, Davey has faced scrutiny over his involvement in the Post Office Scandal, a controversy that continues to shadow his campaign. While this issue has not significantly damaged the Liberal Democrats’ standing, it raises questions about whether similar scrutiny will arise during the final six weeks of the campaign and how Ed Davey may confront his past as a minister, and later, Secretary of State, in a coalition Government that ultimately left the Liberal Democrats close to extinction.
Carla Denyer: The Green Agenda
Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party, is expected to prioritise environmental issues, pushing both major Parties to adopt more ambitious climate policies. Denyer has previously expressed disappointment with Labour’s and the Conservatives’ approaches to climate action, stating that neither Party inspires confidence in their environmental commitments.
Denyer’s campaign will likely focus on protecting the NHS from privatisation, ensuring access to affordable housing, and addressing the cost-of-living crisis. By highlighting these issues, she aims to differentiate the Green Party from the major parties and appeal to voters dissatisfied with the status quo. However, as a smaller party often seen as only being a beacon for environmentalism, the question in this campaign is whether the Greens will be able to break through as campaigners for other issues and successfully outflank Labour on the left.
Richard Tice: Reform UK as Much of a Challenge to the Tories as Labour?
Richard Tice positions his Party as a significant challenger to the Conservatives, particularly on immigration – coining this the “election on immigration”. Tice criticises the Government’s handling of immigration, pointing to high net migration figures and advocating for stricter measures, such as his proposal to “stop the boats,” in a way that “does not hurt the taxpayer” by picking up and safely returning migrants.
Tice has declared that Reform UK is better prepared for the Election than the Conservatives, with all nomination papers ready. He has consistently criticised the Tories for making people poorer and labelled them as “socialists” akin to Labour, rejecting any potential collaboration with the Conservative Party, despite rumours.
By appealing to younger voters concerned about housing and economic prospects, Tice aims to position Reform UK as a viable alternative to the traditional parties. He has firmly rejected any potential collaboration with the Conservatives, despite rumours to the contrary, insisting that Reform UK stands independently with a clear, focused message on immigration and economic reform.
Whilst the direct impact of Reform UK might be tame in this General Election, expect a strong performance to worry those on the right of the Conservative Party, who are likely to argue for further moving the party to harder lines on immigration in order to collect votes lost to Reform.
Final Thought
As the General Election approaches, the television debates will be a critical battleground for the party leaders. With Sunak pushing for multiple debates and Starmer focusing on voter engagement, the major parties are poised for a high-stakes contest. Meanwhile, the minor parties, led by Davey, Denyer, and Tice, will seek to influence the narrative and capture the attention of undecided voters. The outcome of these debates and the campaign strategies employed are sure to shape the future political landscape of the UK.
This is just one of the articles that features in our new pre-election edition of the Chamber journal, out later today! Sign up to our newsletter here to receive free access to all content.
