London, England – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer engaged in a heated final TV debate before the upcoming election, with tensions running high as they clashed over various issues.

The debate, held just a week before the polling day on 4 July, presented an opportunity for Prime Minister Sunak to make an impact on the polls as the Conservative Party trailed Labour by 20 points. The confrontational nature of the debate led to some intense verbal exchanges between the two leaders.

Sunak, adopting a more aggressive approach compared to previous debates, launched attacks on Starmer from the outset. The Prime Minister repeatedly interrupted the Labour leader, particularly on the topic of immigration, in an effort to assert dominance during the 75-minute long BBC debate.

As the debate commenced, disruptions were heard in the background, with noise from pro-Palestinian protesters outside Nottingham Trent University filtering into the discussion. Despite the interference, debate chair Mishal Husain recognized the protesters’ right to express their views within the democratic process.

The leaders also sparred over taxation policies, with Sunak accusing Labour of pushing for higher taxes to fund green energy initiatives. The Prime Minister further criticized Labour by pointing to instances of council bankruptcies, including in Nottingham, which he claimed were indicative of what could happen under a Labour government.

The candidates also clashed over issues of integrity, with Starmer calling out Sunak’s handling of the election bets saga and Partygate police fine as evidence of a lack of leadership on ethical standards in politics. The audience themselves did not hold back, with one member questioning whether either leader was fit to be the next Prime Minister amidst loud applause.

The debate also delved into sensitive topics like women’s rights and trans rights in single-sex spaces, showcasing differing views between the two leaders. Sunak emphasized the importance of protecting women’s spaces, while Starmer criticized the Prime Minister for his approach to transgender issues, accusing him of using human beings as political pawns.

The intense debate concluded with both leaders shaking hands with the chair but noticeably avoiding a handshake with each other, underscoring the intense rivalry and tensions that permeated the final encounter before the election.