Labour leader Keir Starmer faced a challenging interview with Sky News' Beth Rigby during the #BattleforNo10 event. Rigby pressed Starmer on his past support for Jeremy Corbyn, his abandonment of several leadership pledges, and his stance on potential tax increases. Starmer acknowledged changing his position on some pledges, stating that most are still in place while admitting to dropping six or seven. He also did not rule out future tax rises but differentiated himself from previous Labour leaders by emphasizing his intention not to rely solely on tax increases and spending hikes. The interview marked the first time Starmer was rigorously questioned on these topics during the campaign, leading to a notably uncomfortable moment for him. The interview aired on Sky 501 and received applause for Rigby's probing questions.
This is the only time Starmer has actually looked uncomfortable and not in full control this election campaign. @BethRigby finding every vulnerability brilliantly. The lack of rigorous, credible answer on Corbyn was especially striking- he should have had one.
Beth Rigby praised for 'taking no prisoners' with brutal Keir Starmer question #BattleforNo10 https://t.co/DK2CcruhY5 https://t.co/xt7aF26WV0
First time this campaign that Starmer has been properly quizzed on his past support for Corbyn; u-turns on his leadership pledges; and the various tax rises he isn't ruling out What a breath of fresh air this format is... & Beth Rigby is absolutely on fire - forensic and…
Beth Rigby: Some people say you're boring and stiff... Keir Starmer: Cheers #BattleforNo10
"You said, 'I do think Jeremy Corbyn would make a great prime minister', did you mean that?" @BethRigby "I was certain that we would lose the 2019 election." @Keir_Starmer #BattleForNo10 https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/H38L30oTK2
🚨 NEW: Beth Rigby receives an applause after "decoding" Keir Starmer's answer that he "might" raise taxes #BattleForNo10 https://t.co/QSOea2Qm2k
Starmer v @BethRigby — tough start grilled on support for Corbyn and broken leadership pledges — and he doesn’t rule out tax rises — but he insists says he’s different from “previous Labour leaders who have pulled the tax lever every single time and driven up spending”
Beth Rigby: "You ran for the Labour leadership on 10 pledges, you've dumped them" Keir Starmer: "Most of the pledges are still in place" Beth Rigby: "You've dropped 6 or 7 of them" Keir Starmer: "Have I changed my position on those pledges? Yes I have" #BattleforNo10
Starmer gabbling after being skewered by Beth Rigby on saying Corbyn would be a great PM and then dumping most of his leadership contest pledges in 2020. Awkward! 😬