UK Conservative Party Holds Third Leadership Debate

The UK Conservative Party will hold its third leadership debate today between Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and former chancellor Rishi Sunak.

The debate comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation this month after a series of mishandled political scandals led party members to lose confidence in his leadership. The two candidates have since toured the UK to compete for the votes of 150,000 Tory party members whose ballots are due by September 2.

Economic issues and cost of living have dominated the campaign. Sunak has advocated his Thatcherite economic philosophy, while Truss has adopted Reaganite plans to boost economic growth. The cost of the pandemic to the government has exceeded $459 billion of national debt, amounting to 96.1% ratio to GDP.

Expect tonight’s debate to focus largely on the economic policies of both candidates. Recent polls have indicated that Truss is leading Sunak by 62% to 38% among Tory party members. It is likely that Sunak will support greater tax cuts and economic incentives in the short-term in hopes of appealing to the party’s base.  If Sunak is unable to gain a lead in polls, expect Truss to be announced as the next Prime Minister in September.