5 UK Conservative Leadership Candidates Clash Over Tax, Trust, Gender Self-ID

(L–R) Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, and Tom Tugendhat before the live television debate for the candidates for leadership of the Conservative party, at Here East studios in Stratford, east London, on July 15, 2022. Victoria Jones/PA Media

Five British Conservative leadership candidates hoping to be the next prime minister on Friday appeared in their first televised debate that was mainly focused on tax and spending and trust in politicians.

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, the only candidate who opposes immediate tax cuts, clashed with the other candidates over the issue.

Taxation

Sunak defended raising national insurance in April, saying he wanted to make sure the National Health Service is “properly funded.”