Election debate in UK dominated by doubts over trust
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn attacked each other’s policies on Brexit, health care and the economy in a televised election debate that probably failed to answer the question troubling many voters: why should we trust you?
The two politicians hammered away at each other’s weaknesses and sidestepped tricky questions about their own policies during the hour-long encounter yesterday, the first ever head-to-head TV debate between a British prime minister and a chief challenger.
It was a chance for Corbyn to make up ground in opinion polls that show his Labour Party trailing Johnson’s Conservatives ahead of the December 12 election. For Johnson, it was an opportunity to shake off a wobbly start to his campaign.
Both stuck to safe territory, with Corbyn touting Labour’s plans for big increases in public spending, and Johnson trying to keep the focus on his promise to ‘‘get Brexit done’’.
The two traded blows over Britain’s stalled departure from the European Union – the reason the election is being held, in a bid by Johnson to win a majority in the House of Commons that could pass his departure agreement with the EU.
He blamed the opposition for ‘‘dither and delay, deadlock and division’’, and said a Conservative government would ‘‘end this national misery’’ and ‘‘break the deadlock’’.
Corbyn said a Labour government would also settle the Brexit question by negotiating a new divorce deal before holding a new EU membership referendum within six months.
A lifelong critic of the EU, Corbyn did not answer when asked repeatedly by Johnson whether he would support leaving or remaining in a new referendum.
The Labour leader also repeated his allegation that Johnson planned to offer chunks of Britain’s state-funded health system to American medical firms as part of future trade negotiations with the United States. Johnson branded that claim ‘‘an absolute invention’’.
The debate featured only two candidates after the High Court in London rejected a legal challenge from the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party over ITV’s decision to exclude their leaders.
Later in the campaign, the leaders of smaller parties will take part alongside Labour and the Conservatives in two seven-way debates, and Corbyn and Johnson are due to square off again in a BBC debate on December 6.
The stakes are high for both Johnson and Corbyn as they try to win over a Brexit-weary electorate. Both are trying to overcome a mountain of mistrust – and neither delivered the kind of performance to silence their critics.
Johnson – who shelved his customary bluster in favour of a more muted, serious approach – drew derisive laughter from the audience when he urged voters: ‘‘Look what I have said I’m going to do as a politician, and look what I’ve delivered.’’
Corbyn’s refusal to say which side he would be on in a Brexit referendum was also met with laughter.
There was another awkward moment when they were asked about Prince Andrew’s friendship with American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Asked if the British monarchy was ‘‘fit for purpose’’, Corbyn replied: ‘‘Needs a bit of improvement.’’ Johnson said: ‘‘The institution of the monarchy is beyond reproach.’’