The Tory rivals are set to go head-to-head in the second live debate on ITV this evening. The hour-long debate in the Tory leadership race will take place at ITV’s White City studios, featuring all five candidates. After eleven candidates announced candidacies for the leadership, only five remain: Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and Tom Tugendhat. The debate comes as Ms Mordaunt today admitted her plans to cut taxes will lead to increased government borrowing and hit out at “slander” against her leadership campaign. He rejected claims that he had ever pursued a self-identification policy for transgender people seeking to legally change gender. Ms Mordaunt also said her proposals to halve VAT on petrol and increase tax thresholds represented a “modest” set of changes to help people struggling with the rising cost of living. “We need to show that there is some immediate targeted support for people. We would have to adjust our tax provisions, but that is absolutely necessary, I think,” he told the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme.
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Tory leadership candidates urged to discuss the NHS in tonight’s debate
The chairman of the NHS Confederation has urged Tory leadership candidates to discuss the problems facing the NHS and the environmental crisis in the upcoming debate. Lord Victor Adebowale said he wanted the candidates to “get real” with the public about the problems facing the NHS. He told Times Radio: “We’ve got 100,000 vacancies, dilapidated buildings, the social care system on its knees and we really need some detail. “The environmental crisis and the NHS are linked. What I would like to know (is) what are their practical policies for dealing with an NHS that has been starved of resources for 10 years of austerity? That is why we are in the situation we are. “I just think we have to get real. It’s a lot of fun, it’s like watching a racetrack, but there are real issues here that need some answers, and if we don’t get answers, it’s a matter of leadership. “It’s a matter of dealing with the issues in front of us and having a vision and some practical solutions that are understood by the public and those people who need care. So far, we haven’t heard anything.” Maryam Zakir-Hussain July 17, 2022 6:35 p.m 1658078145
Dominic Raab reveals who he was really winking at during PMQs clash with ‘Angie Rayner’
Dominic Raab claimed he was not winking at Angela Rayner during a recent PMQ, instead claiming he was aiming the expression at Ian Murray. The deputy prime minister was criticized by some after the incident, accused of being “sexist” towards the deputy Labor leader. “I wink at Ian Murray, who was Angie Rayner’s, I have to say Angie Rayner has a lot of value in all of this,” Mr Raab said. He went on to explain that he did so after “something was said” about Ms Rayner standing in a leadership contest against Keir Starmer.
Raab reveals who he was really winking at during PMQs clash with ‘Angie Rayner’
Dominic Raab claimed he wasn’t winking at Angela Rayner during recent PMQs, but claimed he aimed the expression at Ian Murray. The deputy prime minister was criticized by some after the incident, accused of being “sexist” towards the deputy Labor leader. I was winking at Ian Murray who was Angie Rayner’s, I have to say Angie Rayner has a lot of value in all of this,” Mr Raab said. He went on to explain that he did it after “something was said.” about Ms Rayner standing in a leadership contest against Keir Starmer. Click here to subscribe to our newsletters. Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 6:15 p.m 1658077657
How can I watch tonight’s debate?
Tonight’s second Tory leadership debate will be broadcast live on ITV at 7pm. The debate will also be broadcast live on the ITV Hub, as well as via the ITV News website, YouTube channel, Facebook and Twitter. If you can’t watch it live, you can watch it later on ITV Hub. Maryam Zakir-Hussain 17 July 2022 18:07 1658076345
Tom Tugendhat says Rwanda plan is ‘a totem of necessity’
Tom Tugendhat says Rwanda plan is ‘a totem of necessity’ Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 5:45 p.m 1658074545
The Conservatives are facing their ‘wrong brother’ moment
Will this be David Miliband’s Conservative Party moment? It looks like the final two contenders will be Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, with the main uncertainty in the coming days being the battle for third place between Liz Truss and Kemi Badenoch. It will then be up to Conservative members to make the final choice. A YouGov poll of members this week showed Mordaunt favored by Sunak by a wide margin, 67 to 28 per cent, and is therefore the betting favourite, writes John Rentoul. The Tories are in danger of rejecting David Miliband: the well-qualified leader tainted by his association with the old regime. Mordaunt is their Ed: the new face for a party yearning to break free from the constraints of reality.
Conservatives face their ‘wrong brother’ moment | John Redoul
Rishi Sunak is the David Miliband of this leadership contest Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 5:15 p.m 1658072745
Dominic Raab says self-funding tax cuts not ‘credible’
Dominic Raab says self-funding tax cuts not ‘credible’ Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 4:45 p.m 1658071245
Penny Mordaunt repeats false claims that the UK could not prevent Turkey from joining the EU
Penny Mordaunt repeated her infamous false claim that the UK was unable to stop Turkey joining the EU – insisting the veto would not have been used. The Tory leadership candidate, who also faces accusations of dishonesty over her stance on trans rights, was accused of ignoring the “real facts” that the EU treaty barred new members. Confronted with an interview from the 2016 Brexit referendum – when the Leave campaign was trying to raise alarm about migrants from Turkey – Ms Mordaunt replied: “The video says it as I see it.”
Penny Mordaunt repeats false claims that the UK could not prevent Turkey from joining the EU
Tory leadership candidate accused of ignoring ‘real facts’ – but insists veto would have had no value Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 4:20 p.m 1658070699
Mordaunt hits back at ‘spots’ for transgender views
Tory leadership contender Penny Mordant has claimed she is the victim of “smearing” following fresh allegations about her views on transgender issues. The International Trade Secretary has rejected claims that she had ever pursued a self-identification policy for transgender people seeking to legally change gender, after press reports appeared to cast doubt on her previous denials. In the first televised debate on Friday, Ms Mordant clashed with Liz Truss and Cammy Badenoch after they claimed they were responsible for reversing the policy she championed as equalities minister.
Mordaunt hits back at ‘spots’ for transgender views
The Tory leadership hopeful has denied leaked documents show she pursued a self-identification policy for people seeking to legally change gender. Joe Middleton 17 July 2022 16:11 1658069145
The 10 economic commitments we need from the next Tory leader
The hard truth is that whatever their ambitions, they can only succeed if the economy is successful, writes Hamish McRae.
The 10 economic commitments we need from the next Tory leader | Hamish McRae
The hard truth is that whatever their ambitions, they can only be successful if the economy is successful, writes Hamish McRae
Joe Middleton 17 July 2022 15:45 1658067576
Truss ‘hasn’t done a single broadcast interview’
Daily Mail deputy editor John Stevens reports that Liz Truss has not given any broadcast interviews during the Tory leadership campaign. Every other candidate has appeared before some form of broadcast media, with Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt appearing on the BBC today. Kemi Badenoch and Rishi Sunak have also been made available for interview. Rob Burley, executive editor of Tonight With Andrew Marr, added that he had been told that Truss’ team had no plans for interviews this week either. Joe Middleton 17 July 2022 15:19
