So the Final 2 - Liz and Rishi

It’s not just some of the young who are apathetic, I know a few older ones too.

When you consider that the future of this country, for the next 18 months at least, will be decided by a few, middle class, mainly older Tory men, can’t help but feel quite powerless. Apathy is understandable because however engaged you are about politics the dysfunctional system remains.

As I’ve mentioned before, the powerful influencers of the outcome in elections are the tabloids. Just glance at a few of their headlines.

God help us if they ever have a death penalty referendum.

Oh dear, feeling a bit despondent today…….

They won’t. Breathe .... ?

DiamondLily But there are ways of managing immigration (of which refugees are a tiny part, of course) without being actively cruel, and breaking international law at the same time.

But instead of starting a sensible and informed debate about immigration, these two are pandering to - and fostering - xenophobia and racism.

It’s coming back to bite one of them, at least, since I see 21% of Tory voters (and I suspect a higher percentage of Tory members) think having a white PM is very important.

Casdon

I think that the apathy they have shown in the past is changing as the world around them changes, and they have realised that they can do something about it,

Of course, my comments are based on anecdotal evidence which is not factual. But that is the impression I got having spent around 4 months discussing politics with the young staff members in hospital.

But I hope your prediction is the correct one... because the quality of their lives depend on engaging with politics.

It’s coming back to bite one of them, at least, since I see 21% of Tory voters (and I suspect a higher percentage of Tory members) think having a white PM is very important.

I find that surprising. I live in a predominantly Conservative area and that is just not what I see or hear in the discussions.

icanhandthemback this is the source.

icanhandthemback

^It’s coming back to bite one of them, at least, since I see 21% of Tory voters (and I suspect a higher percentage of Tory members) think having a white PM is very important.^

I find that surprising. I live in a predominantly Conservative area and that is just not what I see or hear in the discussions.

I know several Tory voters and they all favour Sunak.

However, I don't think that they are Party members.

That's very interesting Zonne although I'd like to see more people being asked.

Boris Johnson fits all of those apart from the one that most people say is most important - Honest.
Of course, he's been rubbish at his non-politics jobs and at being father and husband, so just ticking the boxes isn't enough.

I will be watching in 40 minutes on BBC1. To be honest I’m not that impressed by either of them but one of them will be declared PM on 5 September!

Good grief. These are the people that are going to be running the country and all they can do is argue….

It's utterly depressing, isn't it?

Truss is so bad. I cant really believe what I am watching. Amazing news for Labour if she wins.

Truss seems a bit flakey.

Can hardly bear to watch. Apart from anything else, the BBC’s Faisal Islam must be irritated that Ms Truss is consistently pronouncing his name incorrectly.

I’m cringing, I can hardly bear to watch. I almost feel sorry for her. Sunak is very angry and frustrated.

Great questions from Faisal!

I managed 5 minutes ........ head in hands.

Sunak is tearing her apart by cutting in. Truss is being either too polite or she’s not robust enough. It’s a difficult tightrope though. I feel sorry for her.

Truss now talking again about her experience of being educated in Leeds. and how awful things were. Forgetting that there was a Conservative government at the time.

She is answering very superficially, not demonstrating she understands what she’s being asked, or understands her own answers - it’s like a textbook being read out. He is quite rude interrupting her, but his sword is hitting home constantly.

Agreed but he would make a much better impression by allowing her to speak before jumping in.

It’s grim isn’t it. Sunak is talking over Truss which isn’t a good look, he appears rude and ill-mannered.

. Having said that, Truss is hopeless. If she can’t stand up to him, how can she represent us internationally. She looks out of her depth in this debate, in the leadership contest. Sunak is enthusiastic, bright, seems well briefed and competent. She looks exhausted and anxious.

Heaven help us

I just said to Himself “he’s very rude, doing that alpha male thing, interrupting her”

“With facts” was his reply. “You may not like it”.

Now ... why are they talking about clothes and earrings?? Give me strength.

Iam64

It’s grim isn’t it. Sunak is talking over Truss which isn’t a good look, he appears rude and ill-mannered.

. Having said that, Truss is hopeless. If she can’t stand up to him, how can she represent us internationally. She looks out of her depth in this debate, in the leadership contest. Sunak is enthusiastic, bright, seems well briefed and competent. She looks exhausted and anxious.

Heaven help us

He seems like a bully, belittling her, I am surprised.
Laughing and smirking like Johnson.

He can demolish her arguments easily without resorting to those tactics.

I nearly didn't watch it, as I don't have a vote, but thought I'd tune in and see what they had to say. Now I just feel fearful for the next couple of years, and fervently hope we can muddle along until the next GE, and that whoever gets it can be curtailed by what's left of the checks and balances that have (so far) protected us from dictatorship.

If I had any sand, I'd stick my head in it until then, to be honest.