Rishi Sunak vs Liz Truss: What we learnt from Darlington debate

For Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss taking to the stage of the Darlington Hippodrome, it was a chance for both to reiterate their pitches to members, and face questions.

The main talk of the night was about the cost-of-living crisis and rising enrgy bills, but what else happened? 

Read more: Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss clash over cost-of-living at Darlington debate

Truss attacks the media

The Foreign Secretary accused “some of the media” of trying to “talk our country down” during the event in Darlington, and accused journalists of framing questions in a “left-wing way”.

But at the end of the debate she was caught on a microphone apologising to TalkTV journalist Tom Newton Dunn, who chaired the event.

The broadcaster was asking the South West Norfolk MP about her plans to help people with rising energy bills using tax cuts, when he mentioned “your handouts” as he sought to pose a question.

Ms Truss interrupted, saying: “They are not giveaways Tom. This is people’s money, but this is the problem with the way that every question is framed.”

She added: “You’re framing it in a left-wing way Tom. I’m afraid the whole media does this all the time… it drives me mad.”

As she hugged the host of the hustings at the end of the event, Ms Truss could be heard to say: “I am sorry I was mean about the media, Tom.”

Mr Newton Dunn could be heard to reply that the jibes about the media were “cheap”.

Read more: Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss clash over cost-of-living at Darlington debate

Levelling Up

Rishi Sunak arrived at the Darlington hustings on Tuesday with a huge reputation in the region already on his shoulders thanks to significant investments on Teesside, helping to launch the Freeport, and bringing the Treasury to Darlington.

And it was these investments which received several shoutouts from the former chancellor to rapturous applause from the crowd.

Richmond MP Mr Sunak told the crowd: “I put the Treasury in Darlington because I wanted to send a loud message to Whitehall that there is more to the North than Manchester. And I tell you this… if this works out, it won’t just be called the Treasury Campus in Darlington, it will be the Downing Street Campus in Darlington.” 

Meanwhile, Liz Truss has spent the past few years working in the Cabinet as Trade and Foreign Secretary, meaning she has spent large periods of time out of the UK and has been unable to put her stamp on similar polices.

But as prime minister she pledged to realise Northern Powerhouse Rail’s full potential, in contrast to Rishi Sunak who still hasn’t vehemently backed the plan. Truss also pledged to dual the A1 north in Northumberland, however such policies will take years of planning before they are completed.

Parmos

Matt Vickers MP for Stockton South sent a letter to the Parliamentary catering team asking to include the traditional Teesside delicacy on its list of culinary options last year.

And after a successful campaign Rishi Sunak praised Mr Vickers for putting the parmo on the menu in Parliament at Tuesday’s hustings.

“We won’t just be serving them in Parliament… we’ll be serving them off the cabinet table in Downing Street,” Sunak added.

A good-looking parmo, accompanied by another Teesside tradition of creamed cabbage, but for full authenticity, it should be served on a bed of chips

Crowd participation

The staging of the fifth Tory hustings convinced around one third of the audience who they should back to become the next prime minister, according to a show of hands.

Opening the event, the Talk TV presenter asked those in the audience who were still undecided to show their hands, and he estimated around 40% did so.

At the end of the hustings, he asked those who remained undecided to put their hand up, quickly guessing that around 10% or 15% were still to make their minds up.

And there was a certain pantomime and theatrical theme throughout as Mr Sunak came under pressure when he was asked about the saying “he who wields the dagger will never inherit the crown” – in reference to his resignation before the Prime Minister announced he would step down.

Sunak supporters in the audience booed the question, and the former chancellor replied: “You are simply wrong to say I wielded the dagger.

“It wasn’t just me who felt enough was enough, the Government was on the wrong side of yet another ethical decision.”

Protests  outside the Hippodrome

Several groups of protesters were in place outside the venue in the lead up to the event.

Protesters were dressed as a mock waste incinerator to campaign about a new “waste to energy'' plant proposed for the region.

Darlington Friends of the Earth, in support of SINE (Stop Incineration North East), made the rubbish guzzling incinerator with an eight-foot flue complete with a balloon 'plume', to bring awareness of what is being planned by the seven local authorities in the North East, and were in attendance on Tuesday.

The group's mock mobile incinerator is intended to be taken to all of the other authority areas with a slogan of 'STOP THE BURN'.

Also present were pro-EU and remain supporters armed with flags and slogans slamming the UK’s current Brexit deal.

Conservative Party hustings take place at the Hippodrome theatre in Darlington. Protestors outside. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

Read next: 

• LIVE - Darlington hosts Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss leadership hustings debate
• Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss arrive at Hippodrome for Darlington hustings
• Protesters gather outside Darlington Hippodrome ahead of Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss hustings

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here