Rishi Sunak dismissed a question about Boris Johnson’s checkers party amid the heat
The Conservative rivals will go head-to-head in the second live debate on ITV tonight.
The hour-long debate in the Tory leadership race will take place at the ITV studios in the White City, with all five candidates taking part.
After eleven candidates announced leadership bids, only five remain: Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and Tom Tugendhat.
The debate comes after Ms Mordaunt today admitted her tax cut plans would lead to an increase in government borrowing and hit out at “slander” against her leadership campaign.
She has rejected claims that she once pursued a self-identification policy for trans people who want to legally change their gender.
Ms Mordaunt also said her proposals to halve VAT on petrol and raise tax thresholds represented a “modest” set of changes to help people struggling with the rising cost of living.
“We need to demonstrate that there is some immediate targeted support to people. We will have to adjust our tax forecasts, but that is absolutely necessary in my view,” she told the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme.
Key points
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The Tory leadership candidates are being urged to discuss the NHS in tonight’s debate
The chairman of the NHS Confederation has called on the Tory leadership candidates to discuss the issues facing the NHS and the environmental crisis in the upcoming debate.
Lord Victor Adebowale said he wanted the candidates to “realise” to the public the problems facing the NHS.
He told Times Radio: “We’ve got 100,000 vacancies, buildings falling apart, the welfare system on its knees and we need some details.
“The environmental crisis and the NHS are linked. What I would like to know (is) what are their practical policies to deal with an NHS starved for resources over 10 years of austerity? That is why we are in the situation we are in.
“I just think we have to get real. It’s great fun, like watching a horse race, but there are real issues here that need answers, and unless we get answers, it’s a question of leadership.
“It’s about tackling the issues in front of us and actually having a vision and some practical solutions that are understood by society and the people who need care.” So far we haven’t heard anything.
Maryam Zakir-Hussein July 17, 2022 6:35 pm
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Dominic Raab reveals who he actually winked at during PMQ clash with ‘Angie Rayner’
Dominic Raab claims he didn’t wink at Angela Rayner during recent PMQs, instead claiming he directed the expression at Ian Murray.
The deputy prime minister was criticized by some after the incident, accused of “sexism” towards the deputy Labor leader.
“I winked at Ian Murray who was from Angie Rayner, I have to say Angie Rayner is a big asset in all of this,” Mr Raab said.
He went on to explain that he did so after “something was said” about Ms Rayner entering a leadership contest against Keir Starmer.
Raab reveals who he was really winking at during PMQ clash with ‘Angie Rayner’
Dominic Raab claims he did not wink at Angela Rayner during a recent PMQs, instead claiming he directed the expression at Ian Murray. The Deputy Prime Minister was criticized by some after the incident, accused of ‘sexism’ towards the deputy Labor leader.’I winked at Ian Murray, who was from Angie Rayner, I have to say Angie Rayner is a big asset in all of this,’ said Mr n Raab. He went on to explain that he did so 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 pm
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How can I watch the debate tonight?
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 catch up later on ITV Hub.
Maryam Zakir-Hussein July 17, 2022 6:07 pm
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Tom Tugendhat says Rwanda scheme is ‘a totem that is needed’
Tom Tugendhat says Rwanda scheme is ‘a totem that is needed’
Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 5:45 pm
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The Conservatives are facing their ‘wrong brother’ moment.
Will this be the Conservative Party’s David Miliband moment? The final two contenders look set to be Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, with the main uncertainty over the next few days being the battle for third place between Liz Truss and Cammy Badenoch.
Conservative members will then make the final choice. A YouGov poll of members this week showed Mordaunt preferred to Sunak by a wide margin, 67 to 28 per cent, and she is therefore the betting favourite, writes John Rentoul.
The Tories are in danger of rejecting their David Miliband: the well-qualified leader tainted by his association with the old regime. Mordaunt is their Ed: the new face appealing to a party longing to be freed from the constraints of reality.
Conservatives face their ‘wrong brother’ moment | John Rentoul
Rishi Sunak is David Miliband in this leadership contest
Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 5:15 pm
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Dominic Raab says self-funded tax relief not ‘credible’
Dominic Raab says self-funded tax relief not ‘credible’
Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 4:45 pm
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Penny Mordaunt repeats false claim that the UK cannot stop Turkey from joining the EU
Penny Mordaunt repeated her famously false claim that the UK was unable to stop Turkey joining the EU – insisting the veto had not been used.
The Tory leadership contender, who also faces allegations of dishonesty over her stance on transgender rights, was accused of ignoring the “actual facts” that the EU treaty provides for blocking new members.
Faced with an interview since the 2016 Brexit referendum – when the Leave campaign was trying to drum up alarm over migrants from Turkey – Ms Mordaunt replied: “The clip says it as I see it.”
Penny Mordaunt repeats false claim that the UK cannot stop Turkey from joining the EU
Tory leadership contender accused of ignoring ‘real facts’ – but insists veto would be useless
Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 4:20 pm
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Mordaunt hits back at transgender ‘slander’
Tory leadership contender Penny Mordaunt has said she is the victim of “defamation” following fresh claims about her views on transgender issues.
The international trade minister has rejected claims she once pursued a self-identification policy for trans people who want to legally change their gender, after press reports appeared to cast doubt on her earlier refusals.
In the first televised debate on Friday, Ms Mordaunt 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 transgender ‘slander’
The Tory leadership hopeful has denied that leaked documents show she pursued a self-identification policy for people who want to legally change their gender.
Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 4:11 pm
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The 10 economic commitments we need from the next Tory leader
The harsh truth is that whatever their aspirations, they can only be successful if the economy is successful, writes Hamish McRae.
The 10 economic commitments we need from the next Tory leader | Hamish McRae
The harsh truth is that whatever their aspirations, they can only be successful if the economy is successful, writes Hamish McRae
Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 3:45 pm
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Truss ‘hasn’t done a single broadcast interview’
Daily Mail deputy editor John Stevens reports that Liz Truss did not give any interviews during the Tory leadership campaign.
Every other candidate has appeared before some form of media, with Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt appearing on the BBC today. Kemi Badenoch and Rishi Sunak also made themselves available for an interview.
Rob Burley, executive editor of Tonight With Andrew Marr, added that he had been told that the Truss team had no plans for any interviews this week either.
Joe Middleton July 17, 2022 3:19 pm
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