Bad blood could cost Tories the election

NO one likes to have their dirty laundry aired in public. Except, it seems, the Tory Party, who are hanging out their grubbiest garments for the nation to see.

The Tory leadership debate on the BBC was expected to be a respectful examination of the vision and opinions of the candidates battling to replace Boris Johnson.

Instead, it veered close to a crude slanging match live on prime-time TV. Yes, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak set out their ideas of Britain’s future with vigour and energy.

But they simultaneously tore into each other during a fierce clash. The Foreign Secretary branded the former chancellor a ‘ bean- counter’ who would crash the economy and kow-tow to China.

Mr Sunak, who repeatedly talked over and hectored his calmer colleague, branded her tax-cutting plan ‘un-Conservative’.

True, this is the rough-and-tumble of politics. But such schoolyard squabbling is a terrible look. Exchanging insults is not the way to impress the grassroots, let alone floating voters before the next election.

Both candidates – and their aggressive campaign teams – should rein in the blueon-blue attacks. The bad blood not only makes it more difficult for Tories to unite, but also hands Labour a propaganda coup.

Both sides must maintain decorum. They are colleagues. Labour is the enemy.