In the final BBC debate before the UK general election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer clashed over key issues including tax policies, illegal migration, and a recent betting scandal. Sunak repeatedly used the term 'surrender' to criticize Labour's stance on borders and welfare, warning voters not to 'surrender' their finances to Labour's tax policies. Starmer accused Sunak of being 'out of touch' and 'bullied into action' over the betting scandal involving Tory candidates. The debate saw heated exchanges, with Sunak questioning Starmer's plans for returning illegal migrants and challenging Labour's tax policies. A snap YouGov poll showed an even split, with 50% of viewers believing Sunak won and 50% siding with Starmer.
‘What will you do with them’ demands Rishi Sunak as Starmer fails to say how he’ll get illegal migrants out of UK Keep up to date with all the latest election news on The Sun’s new YouTube channel: https://t.co/LCUeG1nSUU https://t.co/qAFOQM7oJY
BREAKING: Sir Keir Starmer has accused Rishi Sunak of being "bullied into action" over the election gambling scandal after a question over politicians' "lack of integrity and honesty" in the final TV debate https://t.co/R3Dsd49wox
Sunak/Starmer BBC debate - snap verdict - https://t.co/aqCF7MkUkl
Starmer and Sunak clash over small boats and betting in last TV debate @lydiachES with the latest news https://t.co/nF6RB6qH5f
Starmer and Sunak clash over small boats and betting in last TV debate - @RachaelBurford with the latest election showdown https://t.co/nF6RB6q9fH
'Which of the two candidates was the most Prime Ministerial? It was very clearly Keir Starmer' Labour's Darren Jones reacts to the final election leader's debate. Latest: https://t.co/2OWmGtoVU8 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/wUBJGlSYc4
BBC TV viewers say Rishi Sunak is 'acting like a child' in Keir Starmer debate https://t.co/A4uBR9bbYv
🔴 Rishi Sunak warned the elderly that “there’s a retirement tax coming” Sunak repeatedly challenged Starmer to match his “triple lock plus” pledge Follow the latest from the #BBCDebate 👇 https://t.co/EB6b2Z6GcC https://t.co/pbuqf4B7u8
'I think tonight was a debate that Rishi Sunak would have wanted to have at the start of this campaign' @SamCoatesSky shares his analysis with @AliFortescue as the final leaders debate comes to an end. https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/TYh235cvrP
Keir Starmer calls Rishi Sunak out for pushing the £2,000 tax rise lie.... again. #BBCDebate https://t.co/qWDJkEFlkK
🔴 The best moments from Starmer and Sunak’s fiery head to head #BBCDebate https://t.co/HQS0bffYg2
🔴 Who won the BBC general election TV debate? @timothy_stanley and @MrTCHarris give their verdicts https://t.co/yrbYZ5iTvy
No clear winner in final TV head-to-head, poll finds A snap YouGov poll has 50% going for Starmer and the other 50% for Sunak Read more here ⬇️ https://t.co/rWlTV2YU1P https://t.co/hjZxNbuXZw
“Are you two really the best we’ve got to be the next PM of our country?” Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak were asked the question tonight at the BBC debate. https://t.co/1XOl0pTTFU https://t.co/HQCl6i8BaM
Very interesting “don’t surrender the country to Labour” theme from @RishiSunak tonight. Very core vote message and a very loaded one too… 50/50 audience verdict not a bad result for a PM on the ropes
What soundbites from tonight's debate between Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak stood out to you the most? Here's one from our associate editor @stephenkb https://t.co/zXlAVzScWx https://t.co/iVXJkAcent
‘What will you do with them’ demands Rishi Sunak as Starmer fails to say how he’ll get illegal migrants out of UK Keep up to date with all the latest election news on The Sun’s new YouTube channel: https://t.co/J5M7mSqBtk https://t.co/A9lt8YjDKh
Starmer and Sunak clash over small boats and betting in last TV debate https://t.co/GsrVfIljV4
Starmer and Sunak clash over small boats and betting in last TV debate https://t.co/AWL1yIEsA3
🚨 POLITICS UK POLL: Who won tonight's #BBCDebate?
Well at least it wasn’t 52/48! But given the polls, the ‘honours even’ snap verdict is prob a bit better for Keir Starmer than Rishi Sunak - but notable how many times the PM said he wouldnt (and urged voters not to) ‘surrender’ to Labour -presumably the theme of the final week https://t.co/7RHuwe9axV
This is good for Rishi Sunak. Pollsters ask people to “put aside your own party preference” and say who did better. But no one really ever parks their views like that. So getting to 50:50 when he is so behind in the polls generally, is a good result I’d say. https://t.co/rWlraTts5C
YouGov says a dead heat on BBC debate 47% Starmer won 47% Sunak won 6% don’t know https://t.co/a5yfgQx6XF
BREAKING: YouGov publishes snap poll on the debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer Read more: https://t.co/HQHNol8Xen 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/pu8P8SspX9
Rishi Sunak threw what he could at Keir Starmer in a last-ditch effort to dent the opposition Labour Party’s commanding poll lead in the final televised debate before the UK general election https://t.co/v2Qm4bVd9Q
YouGov debate snap poll: 50% say Starmer won, 50% say Sunak won Given Sunak is 20 points behind nationally.. that's quite a feat. And don't forget YouGov also have 52 disapproval rating for Starmer.... Astonishing stat for someone heading for large majority.
🗣️ ‘Are you the best we’ve got?’ Audience member Robert Blackstock was applauded after asking Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer if they were “really the best we’ve got to be the next Prime Minister of our great country” #bbcdebate https://t.co/5TcGmuEn2W
🚨 BREAKING: Neither Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer won the #BBCDebate according to the snap YouGov poll Sunak: 50% Starmer: 50%
In some ways, Sunak won that debate: he landed more punches, he got more airtime. But I can’t imagine many voters watching didn’t leave the hour liking him even less. The debate exposed Sunak at his worse: aggressive, arrogant, and generally quite unpleasant. #BBCdebate
YouGov snap poll on #BBCDebate: Rishi Sunak - 50% Keir Starmer - 50%
SNAP POLL/ Who performed best overall in tonight's debate? Rishi Sunak: 50% Keir Starmer: 50% https://t.co/wjNCCLj6Mn https://t.co/3vqFyOaxUV
The final head-to-head election debate between Sunak and Starmer is over Who do you think won the #BBCDebate?
Who won BBC General Election debate as Keir Starmer takes on 'out of touch' Rishi Sunak https://t.co/lnOigScs3a
"You should at least be upfront with people..." Rishi Sunak attacks Sir Keir Starmer on tax in the #BBCDebate Follow the latest 👇 https://t.co/EB6b2Z68n4 https://t.co/0RVSK45enb
Tune in to Sky News for instant reaction following tonight's debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer. 🔴 @AliFortescue live from the spin room 🔴 @SamCoatesSky with the results from a snap poll to find out who won 📱 https://t.co/AQ1luJCtDW ⏰ Sky 501 https://t.co/tdTuH04OSz
🔴 Sunak has found his inner fighter and is jabbing away at Sir Keir Read @gordonrayner's analysis of the #BBCDebate so far 👇 https://t.co/KCR5U4QLeH
🚨 NEW: Rishi Sunak claims Keir Starmer will bring back freedom of movement #BBCDebate
Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak face questions from Mishal Husain on the BBC. Do their policies face up to scrutiny? ⬇️ https://t.co/P58V5QvJQh
Here's what our columnists @robertshrimsley and @stephenkb make of how Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are performing in tonight's debate: https://t.co/kblDAAjnQp https://t.co/leZjtBTysa
Rishi Sunak says he will rip up the Equality Act 2010. Keir Starmer says, "yes is the short answer (as in he will too)", but adds he will treat all people with respect. Bit unclear. #BBCdebate
Not sure about the “do not surrender" to Labour line that Rishi Sunak is so keen on tonight. Bit patronising to voters?
Sir @Keir_Starmer has accused @RishiSunak of being “bullied” into taking action over the Westminster betting row as their final televised head-to-head debate got under way ✍️: @sophie_wing8 https://t.co/A4OIrl0cIc
🔴 Rishi Sunak has said Labour always “run out of everyone’s money” in a response to a question about council finances Follow the latest from the #BBCDebate 👇 https://t.co/EB6b2Z6GcC https://t.co/tc4vEJYiTv
Interesting to see @RishiSunak come out fighting tonight. Finally some energy and some spirit! Starmer still dull, dull, dull. At this stage of the campaign (and the polls), it's probably too late to change minds, but Sunak knows he hasn't got anything to lose now. #BBCDebate
Rishi Sunak's use of the word "surrender" is interesting on "tax rises", cutting welfare and the border. "Don't surrender," Sunak keeps saying. An appeal to Reform UK supporters not to give up on the Tories?
Classic! Utterly withering in the most understand British way from Rob in the audience. You're a mediocre PM. Not even average, just a bit rubbish. And then Keir your strings are being pulled @SoVeryBritish #BBCDebate. Rob is a star putting the question in that way. https://t.co/CMUKGELyiP
Does KeirStarmer plan to do a deal with the Taliban? He has no plan on illegal migration. #BBCDebate https://t.co/4SSJDz9VeC
🚨 NEW: Voter Robert to Rishi Sunak: “You’re a pretty mediocre prime minister” To Keir Starmer: “Your strings are being pulled by very senior members of the Labour Party.” “Are you two really the best we’ve got to be prime minister of our great country?” #BBCDebate https://t.co/RISQuSI5Sk
Sunak Slams Starmer on Migration https://t.co/I1dGDfbO9t https://t.co/6d4TIoqzJl
Question of the night from audience member Robert Blackstock: "Are you two really the best we've got to be the next prime minister of our great country?"
"Are you two really the best on offer to run the country?", asks man in audience - a mixture of applause and laughter. #BBCdebate Public agrees: https://t.co/kyHSXxWYWi
Wince-inducing Q from Robert, who tells Rishi Sunak he's been a "mediocre PM" and Keir Starmer he's having his strings pulled by senior Labour figures. "Are you two really the best we've got to be the next PM of our great country?" 😬
Wince-inducing Q from Robert, who tells Rishi Sunak he's been a "mediocre PM" and Keir Starmer he's having his strings pulled by senior Labour figures. "Are you two really the choice we've got?" 😬
Audience member Robert: “Are you two really the best we’ve got to be the next prime minister of our great country?” The acres of polling we’ve had in this campaign suggests he’s not alone in thinking that.
Question of the night: "Are you two the best we have got to be the next Prime Minister of our great country?" cf "the oh no election" from Electoral Calculus's Martin Baxter ...
Audience member Rob: “Are you two really the best we’ve got to be the next prime minister of our great country?” The acres of polling we’ve had in this campaign suggests he’s not alone in thinking that.
You're a mediocre prime minister Keir your strings are being pulled by senior members of the Labour party. Are you two the best we have got? Cue applause... Think a lot of people may agree with question from audience #BBCDebatr
Wince-inducing Q from Robert, who tells Rishi Sunak he's been a "mediocre PM" and Keir Starmer he's having his strings pulled by senior Labour figures
Audience member named Robert to Sunak: “You’re a pretty mediocre prime minister” To Starmer: “Your strings are being pulled by very senior members of the Labour Party.” To both: “Are you two really the best we’ve got to be prime minister of our great country?”
Rishi skewers Sir Keir Starmer. Labour aren’t being straight with the British people. You can process all you want, but is Sir Keir seriously saying he will do returns deals with run Afghanistan, Iran or Syria? Or will he really just introduce a migrant amnesty? #BBCDebate https://t.co/9PhJNobje8
🚨 NEW: Rishi Sunak: "As Labour always do, they run out of everyone's money... do not surrender your local council to the Labour party" Sunak is reminded by the host that councils under the Tories are also going bankrupt #BBCDebate
When they've run out of everyone's money, as they always do, Labour will raise your taxes. #BBCDebate https://t.co/F3J2RZvQGl
Don't SURRENDER to Labour. On finances, tax, borders, your councils. Just don't SURRENDER... Remember don't SURRENDER! Sunak's new attack line on Starmer... #BBCDebate https://t.co/pMiy8mn8hI
Sunak critique of Starmer on asylum-seekers "[They come from] Iran, Syria, Afghanistan. So when Keir Starmer says he’s going to return people, are you going to sit down with the Iranian Ayatollahs? Are you going to try to do a deal with the Taliban? It’s completely nonsensical."
Does @Keir_Starmer plan to do a deal with the Taliban? He has no plan on illegal migration. #BBCDebate https://t.co/7LF0kBWjyQ
🚨 NEW: Rishi Sunak: "Do not surrender your family finances to Labour's tax rises" Starmer says Sunak warned the country about the damage Truss would do, but later backed her Hussain: "Hang on, you know what it's like to fall in behind a leader of your party" #BBCDebate https://t.co/URO8AavlHX
Labour will introduce a #RetirementTax, claims Sunak as he goes after Starmer on tax - saying Labour will raise taxes on pensioners and everyone... Starmer swerves again and legalistic answer... Don't SURRENDER your finances to Starmer and Labour says Sunak #BBCDebate
Rishi Sunak says "those who can work should work" and challenges Keir Starmer's support of welfare bill The Labour leader accuses the Conservative leader of being "out of touch" Follow live: https://t.co/Pz5fPENcdb https://t.co/WcvfTnF2hQ
'Keir is NOT being straight with you,' blasts Rishi as he slams Labour's tax plan after fiery clash over betting scandal Keep up to date with all the latest election news on The Sun’s new YouTube channel: https://t.co/LCUeG1nSUU https://t.co/FCruKEPIVZ
Does @KeirStarmer plan to do a deal with the Taliban? He has no plan on illegal migration. #BBCDebate https://t.co/jh1fMgbWeN
“Are you going to do a deal with the Taliban?” Sir Keir Squirmer can’t answer the question. He’s not being honest with you. #BBCDebate https://t.co/Buh9nvcfuG
Tonight Rishi Sunak has alighted on “don’t surrender to Labour” as a theme, which is the strongest attack he’s had against Starmer. It’s just unfortunate timing that he didn’t work that out before calling the election.
It’s clear that “surrender” is Sunak’s new word of choice, casting Labour as an invading army.
🚨 NEW: Rishi Sunak to Keir Starmer on migration "Are you going to sit down with the Iranian Ayatollahs? … To try and do a deal with the Taliban? It's completely nonsensical what you're saying. You're taking people for fools." Audience give an applause #BBCDebate https://t.co/wZhiMCSkm3
📸 Sir Keir Starmer accused Rishi Sunak of being “out of touch” after the Prime Minister said “those who are able to work, should work” Follow the latest from the #BBCDebate 👇 https://t.co/EB6b2Z68n4 https://t.co/BLU0TP20Vw
Rishi Sunak warns voters not to 'surrender' to Labour's tax rises Keir Starmer says Sunak is 'out of touch' and is failing to listen to voters Sunak says people smugglers will 'need a bigger boat' if Labour wins. He says Labour's plan for return deals is 'completely…
Sunak just turned Starmer over on small boats - Lab leader had a decent start in this exchange but couldn’t get past ‘processing’ - and then what? Send them back to Syria, Iran, Afghanistan? Sunak drilled into ‘what will you do, do a deal with the ayatollahs ?’ That’s a dead end
Sunak really coming out fighting tonight. Attacking Starmer hard on illegal migration and Labour’s plans to ‘return’ them to their home countries. “Are you going to sit down with the Ayatollah, are you going to do a deal with the Taliban?” #BBCDebate
"What will you do with them?" Rishi Sunak keeps asking how will Sir Keir Starmer remove illegally arrived migrants, over and over again. "Does Sir Keir Starmer want to a deal with the Taliban?" The audience applaud. The Labour leader has not got an answer.
Tune in to Sky News for instant reaction following tonight's debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer. 🔴 @AliFortescue live from the spin room 🔴 @SamCoatesSky with the results from a snap poll to find out who won ⏰ 9:30pm 📱 https://t.co/AQ1luJCtDW ⏰ Sky 501 https://t.co/Cx5EuDJxU1
Keir Starmer tells Rishi Sunak he's 'out of touch' in BBC General Election debate - live https://t.co/ERSJ36YnbG https://t.co/TPNvAVr7vg
Rishi Sunak says Keir Starmer "is not being straight" about Labour's plans to raise taxes if they win the election The Labour leader says his party "will not be increasing income tax, national insurance or VAT" Follow live: https://t.co/Pz5fPENcdb https://t.co/YI6oqOEeiH
Rishi Sunak's word of the debate — "surrender". He's used it at least 6 times so far about family finances, borders and welfare system. E.g. “Do not surrender our borders to the Labour Party.”
🚨 NEW: Rishi Sunak receives an applause after saying Keir Starmer "should be upfront with people" that he disagrees with the PM's welfare crackdown Starmer: "The prime minister says he's going to do all these things, they've been in power for 14 years" #BBCDebate https://t.co/nSgj1Ior1U
In my view Rishi Sunak is slowly winning round the BBC's head to head debate audience, which initially applauded Sir Keir Starmer's "out of touch" jibe against the Prime Minister. On what Labour might do about the soaring welfare bill, Starmer is less certain. Sunak's attack line…
🚨 NEW: Rishi Sunak claims Keir Starmer will bring in "higher tax and higher welfare" Keir Starmer says "there is nothing wrong" if someone rejects a job they can do #BBCDebate
Keir Starmer receives applause as he tells Rishi Sunak: 'If you listened to people in the audience you might not be quite so out of touch'
Sunak and Starmer face off in final election debate as betting scandal swirls https://t.co/qBlEnUiiNs
Keir Starmer accuses Rishi Sunak of being ‘bullied into action’ over election betting scandal https://t.co/IQWXJM8cBG
Keir Starmer gets personal with Rishi Sunak during a discussion about benefits: 'If you listened to people in the audience and the country you might not be so out of touch,' he says
🚨 NEW: Keir Starmer says Rishi Sunak got round to suspending the Tory candidates accused of betting after he was "bullied into it - that's not leadership" Sunak says leadership is about setting out what you want to do and Labour "won't be honest" about tax #BBCDebate
Rishi Sunak goes on the attack against 'dishonest' Keir Starmer as he fends off jibes about election date betting scandal in final BBC election head-to-head - with grim megapoll finding Tories could end up THIRD behind the Lib Dems https://t.co/wXoA7FHwD3 https://t.co/STPeu2STfq
HEAD-TO-HEAD Starmer v Sunak LIVE blog here of the BBC debate 👇 https://t.co/R7Jwfr6OqJ
Live analysis and fact-checking of the Starmer v Sunak debate here https://t.co/TrSsuK7B0o
📢 We will be conducting another snap poll of tonight's leader debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer – we will tweet the results as soon as we have them #BBCdebate
In the horribly hot @BBCNews spin room for the final Election BBC TV Debate between @RishiSunak and @Keir_Starmer - all attention on Labour, can Sunak trip him up… ? https://t.co/W5xb7UCHSg
Sunak and Starmer will go head-to-head for last time to win YOUR votes in tonight’s debate Keep up to date with all the latest election news on The Sun’s new YouTube channel: https://t.co/LCUeG1nSUU https://t.co/CDbzF6WMfO
Sky's @AliFortescue and @joncraig discuss what we might expect from the final leader election debate tonight between PM Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer. #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNastFii 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/rgoOj29CVp
"The excitement is palpable here" @AliFortescue and @SophyRidgeSky discuss the atmosphere in Nottingham ahead of the final leader election debate tonight between PM Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer. #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNastFii 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/rNmcTNc1D9
In the final UK debate, Sunak and Starmer may face questions on the betting scandal https://t.co/V9gF04hr2w https://t.co/rs5ixsWnH1
🚨 NEW: Labour expects Rishi Sunak to "throw the kitchen sink" at Keir Starmer in tonight’s BBC debate as millions tune in [@_katedevlin]
Labour sources expecting Rishi Sunak to throw the kitchen sink at Keir Starmer in tonight’s BBC debate. Millions expected to turn in - & No 10 pushed for these showdowns at start of the campaign - believing their man would beat the Labour leader.
📢 Coming up on #PoliticsHub with @SophyRidgeSky… @AliFortescue is in Nottingham, with all the latest from the final leaders' head-to-head debate, featuring Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer 🔵🔴🎤 ⏰ 7pm 📱 https://t.co/ZsJh8HEea5 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602 and YouTube https://t.co/8F3czVGyUX
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer faced fresh strains as they limber up for tonight’s final leaders’ debate before the UK election https://t.co/L0lgzZP98F
LIVE: Rishi Sunak told his big election mistake - as Keir Starmer praised for tough decision https://t.co/ERSJ36YnbG
Who will win tonight's BBC Leaders' Debate? (According to @YouGov snap poll) Keir Starmer - 2/5 Rishi Sunak - 7/4 https://t.co/QM0PWfZwbF
All we know about Sunak v Starmer BBC debate as election heats up https://t.co/Q67hiALpmJ https://t.co/pJX4X1hnZW
'In our heavyweight clash between a bruised PM and a southpaw leftie - Rishi Sunak won the debate' https://t.co/w73xRTpef7
Our write up of Rishi Sunak’s grilling on last night’s big leaders debate on Never Mind The Ballots “I was right about Liz Truss & it’ll be same with Starmer – he’ll wreck economy” warns Rishi Sunak 🥊 https://t.co/H4AKJlapGK
Our splash today - Gloves come off as Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are grilled in our leaders debate https://t.co/QjMhkE250M
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer grilled live by readers in Sun election showdown https://t.co/QpYipjwIwk