The first Leaders debate was like a slugfest as each leader attacked each other through each soundbite issue. Watching Sunak and Starmer last night was interesting for mixed reasons and tedious.
Both seemed to have voice training with their intonations which made them sound similar in an odd way. The way they had both greased their greying hair back the same way suggests they use the same barber.
Sunak – with most to lose (or nothing to lose) came out fighting with an aggressive plan. He heckled, raised his voice, interrupted and was generally belligerent. Did it work? Starmer looked baffled, raised his eyebrows and let Sunak have his way. It was probably not the right strategy.
Sunak’s message was a rather dubious £2,000 cost per person with a Labour government. This message was repeated every time he spoke. On the one had this was a dog whistle to Tory voters and the Tory media; and as media message it will certainly stick and win votes. However, it was boring to have to listen to being repeated and has since been rubbished by the Treasury. Sunak will have to change his message for next time.
Whilst Starmer belittled for Sunak for ruining the country over the last fourteen years (easy hit) and throwing in Liz Truss for exacerbating that, Sunak replied by pointing out Starmer had nothing to offer voters – an equally easy hit when you look at the raft of ideas that Sunak has come up with since he announced the election. Although some of them lack legs (no one wants national service except anyone over the age of 85 years), Labour look weak with their uninspiring five pledges.
Sunak clearly wrongfooted Starmer last night – constantly disrupting Starmer’s flow, challenging him on his lack of policies and repeating £2000 at every given moment. Sunak may only be able to claim a small victory but, with his back to the wall, he is everything to fight for and I expect is more likely to keep fighting with more messages that lack any truth to them but will stick anyway.
The format meant each political issue was discussed in soundbites, extended through bickering. As each leader lined up their message it became a slugfest.
Starmer has work to do and stop being so complacent. Labour needs to be more aggressive towards the Tories, needs to come up with creative ideas – it is not enough to rely on saying we need to change government – to what? Starmer took a long time to rubbish the £2,000 pound cost to every voter claim – by the time he did the lie had stuck. He needs to be a smarter politician when in front of snakes like Sunak.
