Tory leadership debate was a 'piece between political lightweights'

Shadow Labor Minister Without Portfolio Conor McGinn wonders why Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss couldn't discuss the "real issues that matter to people" people"

Last night's Tory leadership debate was supposed to be a championship fight in the battle to become the next prime minister.

Instead, we had a fight between the political lightweights.

Less the rumble in the jungle: more the joke in Stoke.

Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak dodged questions about why he imposed 15 times the tax on workers and businesses

Liz Truss did the same when asked how she was going to pay for the £30 billion in unfunded gifts she had promised.

The country deserved to hear proper plans for how the Tories are going to get us out of the cost of living crisis they created.

Instead, we have two continuity contenders claiming it's everyone's fault but their own.

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss take part in the BBC leadership debate (

Picture:

Getty Images)

Two cronies of Boris Johnson's failing government, who repeated every lie he told and nodded at every decision he made.

Two conservatives with nothing to offer workers except the same thing.

The only reapers on display were personal insults or when they ransacked the Tories' 12-year government.

As the two suitors limped on, it got more ridiculous.

We haven't heard a word about the things that matter to people across the country.

Energy bills will go up by £1000 in October. What are they going to do to help struggling families and businesses?

When are they going to remove tax breaks that only benefit the super-rich, like non-dom status or the private school loopholes?

How are they going to make sure people can get a doctor's appointment? Or renew their passport? Or solve the traffic jams at UK ports that are hurting our economy and preventing people from getting away on their summer holidays?

The truth is that after creating this mess, they threw in the towel to fix it.

Shadow Cabinet Minister Conor Mc...