Sunak blindsided as mum who can’t afford to use the oven challenges him to the ITV general election debate

A struggling mum has spoken candidly about her struggles amid the current cost of living crisis as she asked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer what they plan to do about it. During a tense ITV General Election debate on Tuesday night, both candidates were grilled on a range of topics that matter most to voters.

At the start of the program was a voter, Paula, who is from Huddersfield, who told the Prime Minister: “Over the last few years I have struggled to find my money. All I do is work for a living.”

She continued: “My savings are gone and I’m really worried about my future. I don’t think you really understand what it’s like for people like me.” In a particularly heartbreaking moment, Paula then revealed how she had resorted to group cooking in recent months because she was worried she was using her oven too often during peak hours as energy prices remain high, reports report. The mirror.

Clearly on her end of the line, the concerned mother asked, “So what can you do about it?”

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In response to the question, Rishi pointed to a number of policies the Tories have introduced in the past, including the leave scheme and lower inflation, but failed to make a clear commitment to what they might do to to help reduce the burden she currently faces. .

However, by contrast, Sir Keir Starmer hit out at his political rival and accused the government of “losing control”, with people like Paula walking away paying the price.

Mr Starmer told Paula: “There will be millions of people watching this who feel in a similar position to you that the cost of living really affects them with constant concern.” He also pointed out that the invasion of Ukraine and Covid had an impact, but continued: “This government has lost control. Liz Truss crashed the economy. They did it worse here than in other countries. It’s people like you who pay the Price.”

Not wanting to be defeated, Mr Sunak quickly applauded and argued: “I know how much trouble they’ve put on the family finances in recent years. And that’s why my priority has always been to do everything I can to support you. That started with bold actions like the pandemic leave scheme and, more recently, my clear plan to bring inflation back to normal.”

In a preview of what’s to come, Mr Starmer then drew attention to the timing of the election as he told the audience: “If he thinks things are going to get better, why has he called an election now?” He continued: “I don’t think he believes the plan is working, because if he believed the plan was working, he wouldn’t be calling an election right now.”

In a bleak look ahead, the Labor leader then added that inflation could rise and energy bills rise in the autumn, which he suggested could have been the reason behind Rishi’s decision to call a snap election.

The comments were just one of several tense exchanges that took place in the opening debate as both party leaders tackled a range of difficult topics, from cost of living issues, the NHS and even public sector pay issues, in an attempt to win over voters. before the polls open on July 4.

While the results could easily go either way, in a mega poll of 30,044 people, current projections suggest Labor could win by a landslide by 487 votes, according to the MRP poll by Survation for Best for Britain .

It means any narrowing in the polls in the remaining four weeks of the campaign could be the difference between losing the Tories – and almost being wiped out entirely. The prime minister will need an unprecedented turnaround if he is to keep his job after the election as his party faces a historic wipeout, with a YouGov poll predicting his party could be left with just 140 seats after election day – a drop huge on the 365 the Tory party secured in 2019.