UK general election: Sunak and Starmer meet in first TV debate

Migration and the Israel-Gaza war on agenda as party leaders start series of hustings on June 4

Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak will also try to close the door on new Reform leader Nigel Farage during the TV debate. Getty Images

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and opposition leader Keir Starmer met on Tuesday in the first televised debate of the UK general election campaign.

Before the debate, Mr Sunak pledged to introduce an annual visa cap on migrants, while Mr Starmer promised to end Russia's ability to influence British energy prices with a home-grown investment company.

The Conservative and Labour party leaders were questioned in front of an audience on matters including foreign policies on issues such as Gaza, and domestic issues including the economy, migration and green ambitions.

Nigel Farage has the contents of a drinks cup thrown at him in Clacton-on-Sea on Tuesday. AFP

Meanwhile, new Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who launched his campaign in Clacton, south-east England, after he announced not only would he be standing as a candidate in the Essex constituency, but he is taking over as leader of the party.

Mr Farage said the election needed a bit of “gingering up”, as he described it as “the dullest, most boring election campaign we have ever seen in our lives”.

Addressing hundreds of supporters at a rally in Clacton-on-Sea on Tuesday before a milkshake was thrown at him, Mr Farage said the Tories should "pay a big price" for betraying the promises of Brexit.

"We made an offer to the British people, we could get back our independence and control of our borders.

"But what has happened? The Conservatives have betrayed that trust. They've opened up the borders to mass immigration like we've never seen before.

"And they deserve to pay a price for that, a big price for that."

In the remaining month of campaigning, there will be debates involving leadership from the major parties.

“Millions of viewers value the election debates,” said Michael Jermey, ITV's director of news and current affairs.

“They provide a chance to see and hear the party leaders set out their pitch to the country, debate directly with each other and take questions from voters.

“ITV is pleased to be broadcasting the first debate in this year's election campaign.”

The hour-long programme Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate starts at 9pm and will be moderated by Julie Etchingham.

Migrants

During the debate Mr Sunak defended his party's proposed plan to deport migrants to Rwanda.

He criticised Mr Starmer for not supporting the law, which had been pushed through Parliament and the courts over the p;ast couple of years.

Mr Starmer said he would "smash" the gangs that run the "people-smuggling trade".

More than 10,000 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the Channel and immigration has become a campaign battleground.

The Tories have also proposed an annual cap on worker and family visas in efforts to ensure annual immigration figures fall.

Mr Sunak said: “We have taken bold action to cut the number of people coming to this country. The plan is working but migration levels are still too high, so we are going further.

“Labour's migrant amnesty will make the UK a global magnet for illegal immigrants and they have no plan to reduce net migration, while we have a clear plan to stop the boats and put a legal cap on numbers.

“The Conservatives are the only party that is willing take the bold action needed to cut immigration figures.”

The annual cap would be imposed on the number of visas that can be granted to those coming to the UK for work or with family.

Temporary work routes, such as seasonal agriculture, would not fall within the cap.

UK general election campaigning – in pictures

Conservative leader Rishi Sunak speaks at party campaign event at the National Army Museum in London on Wednesday, July 3. AP Photo

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer addresses supporters during a visit to the West Regwm Farm events venue in Whitland, Carmarthenshire, Wales, on the final day of election campaigning. PA

Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey drives a tractor during a visit to Owl Lodge in Lacock, Wiltshire. PA

Satirical political character Count Binface in London before challenging Conservative leader RishiSunak for the parliamentary seat of Richmond and Northallerton. Reuters

Boris Johnson, former UK prime minister, campaigns for the Conservatives in London. Bloomberg

Nigel Farage, leader of the far-right Reform UK Party, with heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora during a campaign visit to Clacton-on-Sea in eastern England. Reuters

Mr Sunak holds a speech during his visit to Well Healthcare Supplies as he campaigns in Stoke. Getty Images

Mr Starmer laughs as he speaks to supporters near Milton Keynes. AP

Mr Davey bungee jumps during a visit to Eastbourne Borough Football Club in East Sussex. AP

Mr Sunak bowls during his visit to Nuneaton Cricket Club. AFP

Mr Starmer addresses an audience of Labour Party members and supporters during a rally at the Royal Horticultural Halls in central London. AP

Mr Davey rides a towable inflatable during a visit to Lakeside Ski & Wake, in the Cotswolds. Reuters

Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty visit the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London. AFP

Mr Starmer during a visit to the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple in Kingsbury, London. PA

Mr Davey participates in a Zumba class with supporters in Wokingham. Reuters

Mr Starmer speaking during a visit to Northampton Town Football Club at Sixfields Stadium. PA

Mr Sunak delivers a speech in central London. AFP

Mr Davey jet-washes an ambulance in London. Getty Images

Mr Starmer rests his hand on the shoulder of Idris Elba as they meet families of knife crime victims, in west London. PA

Mr Sunak turns on the power in the training centre control room during a tour of the Sizewell B nuclear power plant. AFP

Mr Davey plays a game of Frisbee on a visit to a farm in Hampshire. AP

Mr Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves visit a supermarket in Swindon. PA

Mr Sunak speaks to journalists on the campaign bus following the launch of the Welsh Conservatives General Election manifesto near Rhyl. Reuters

Mr Davey taking part in wheelbarrow racing at Huish Park, home of Yeovil Town football club in Somerset. PA

Mr Farage speaks to the press in Clacton-on-Sea. Bloomberg

Mr Starmer speaks at the launch of the Labour party's 2024 general election manifesto in Manchester. AP

Mr Sunak answers questions from the audience in Grimsby. Getty Images

Mr Davey toasts a marshmallow as he visits Willow Forest School in Surrey. EPA

Mr Farage attends the launch of the Reform UK manifesto in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Reuters

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar launches Scottish Labour’s battle bus campaign on June 17 in South Queensferry, Scotland. Getty Images

Britain's Labour Party politician and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting speaks to a television crew outside the BBC in London. AFP

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, on the BBC 1 current affairs programme, Sunday, with Laura Kuenssberg. BBC

Mr Sunak meets pupils in a maths class during a visit to the John Whitgift Academy, in Grimsby. AP

Mr Starmer during a visit to Grimsby Institute, a technical training college in Grimsby. PA

Mr Davey during a general election campaign visit to the Aqua Jungle Spot in Stratford-upon-Avon. Bloomberg

Mr Sunak and Akshata Murty take centre stage at the Conservative Party's general election manifesto launch in Towcester. Getty Images

Mr Starmer passes a toothbrush to a child during his visits to the Whale Hill Primary School in Middlesbrough. AP

Mr Davey meets Steve Darling, Liberal Democrat candidate for Torbay and his guide dog Jennie at Torquay Harbour. Getty Images

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacts after something is thrown towards him on the campaign bus in Cawthorne, Barnsley. AP

Mr Sunak attends a neighbourhood watch meeting in Horsham, West Sussex. PA

Mr Starmer helps volunteers pot plants during a visit to Harlesden Town Garden in north-west London. PA

Mr Davey on the 'Rush' ride during a Liberal Democrats general election campaign event at Thorpe Park. Reuters

Mr Sunak, during a visit to Imagination Childcare, in Swindon, Wiltshire, while on the election campaign trail. PA

Mr Starmer visits Brent Cross town's visitor pavilion for a housing launch in London. Getty Images

Mr Davey grills burgers in a garden, during campaigning in Wiltshire. PA

Mr Sunak during a visit to Leander Club, in Henley-on-Thames, as a boat carrying Liberal Democrat supporters passes behind him. Reuters

Mr Starmer meets pensioners to talk about the impact of the energy crisis and the cost of living, in a cafe in Bolton. PA

Mr Sunak and Mr Starmer lock horns the first televised general election debate of the campaign, at MediaCity in Salford. PA

Mr Davey plays Jenga using symbolic 'blue wall' blocks in Stockport. EPA

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn poses outside Islington Town Hall, north London, after handing in his nomination papers for the general election, taking place on July 4. PA

Mr Farage has a milkshake hurled at him during a campaign event in Clacton-on-Sea. EPA

Mr Sunak launches the Conservative Party's campaign bus at Redcar Racecourse in north-east England. PA

Labour launch their election campaign bus, with Mr Starmer, his deputy Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves, shadow chancellor, in Uxbridge. Getty Images

Mr Davey holds a balloon with a figure that represents the amount of votes the Liberal Democrat party lost by in Wimbledon. PA

Mr Sunak feeds lambs as he visits Rowlinson's Farm during a Conservative general election campaign event in Gawsworth. Reuters

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Mr Starmer, shadow secretary of state for energy security and net zero Ed Miliband and local candidate Martin McCluskey in Greenock. PA

Mr Sunak holds a question and answer session during a visit to Niftylift in Milton Keynes. EPA

Mr Starmer serves ice cream to day trippers on Barry seafront in South Wales. PA

Mr Davey takes part in a baking lesson with pupils from High Beeches Primary School during a half-term holiday camp in Hertfordshire. PA

Mr Sunak speaks with a cafe worker as he picks up breakfast for the media at a cafe in Cornwall. PA

Mr Starmer speaks at the launch of Labour's six steps for change in Wales at the Priory Centre in Abergavenny. PA

Mr Davey and Anna Sabine, parliamentary candidate for Frome and East Somerset, ride the Ultimate Slip 'n' Slide at Eastcote Farm in Beckington. Bloomberg

Scottish National Party Leader John Swinney speaks during a visit to The Dower House Cafe in Edinburgh. AP

Rishi Sunak examines Jackal armoured vehicles during his visit to defence vehicle manufacturer Supacat in Exeter. PA

Keir Starmer with a baby at Worcester City Football Club. PA

Ed Davey rides a bike during a visit to Knighton, Wales. PA

Nigel Farage at the cliffs in Dover after speaking at a Reform UK event. Getty Images

Akshata Murty, wife of Mr Sunak, meets with residents during a visit to a Royal British Legion care home in Ripon. Getty Images

Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves during a visit to Rolls Royce’s educational training complex in Derby. PA

Ed Davey falls into the water while paddle boarding on Lake Windermere. PA

Rishi Sunak campaigning in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. EPA

Mr Starmer addresses party members and media in Lancing Parish Hall, West Sussex. Getty Images

Mr Davey launches his party's general election campaign battle bus in Cambridge. PA

Mr Sunak on the ball during a visit to Chesham United Football Club. PA

Mr Starmer speaks to party supporters after making his first keynote speech of the campaign in Lancing. PA

Mr Davey join supporters for a dog walk near Winchester. PA

Mr Sunak visits a maritime technology centre in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as he campaigns for the general election on July 4. Reuters

Mr Starmer and his Scottish counterpart, Anas Sarwar, greet supporters at the launch of the Scottish Labour general election campaign at Caledonia House in Glasgow. Getty Images

Mr Davey, right, eats ice cream with his party's local candidate, Josh Babarinde, on the promenade in Eastbourne. PA

Mr Sunak arrives at Inverness Airport, in Scotland, on the general election campaign trail. PA

Mr Starmer during a visit to Gillingham Football Club in Kent. PA

Mr Sunak speaks with members of staff at the Global Energy Group facility at the Port of Nigg in north-east Scotland. AFP

Mr Davey during a visit to the town centre in Cheltenham. PA

Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK, attends an election campaign launch in London. AP

Mr Sunak holds a Q&A with staff of a West Transport distribution centre in Ilkeston in the East Midlands. AP

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner and Mr Starmer arrive at Gillingham FC. Getty Images

Mr Sunak takes questions from workers at West Transport. Getty Images

Mr Starmer holds a piece of campaign branding at Gillingham. PA

Mr Sunak poses for a selfie in Ilkeston. AFP

Gaza

The leaders were also asked about the UK's position on the world stage, including their influence around crises such as the war in Gaza.

Mr Starmer said he believed that both Labour and the Tories were committed to peace. He said: "I am absolutely committed to peace... but for peace you have to be prepared to fight."

Mr Sunak said he supported the US ceasefire deal.

On Monday, Oscar-winning Riz Ahmed was among 100 artists and celebrities in Britain to urge Mr Starmer to stop arms sales to Israel if Labour wins the election.

The Conservatives have so far resisted pressure to stop licences to supply weapons amid concerns that Israel could be in breach of international humanitarian law as the conflict in Gaza continues.

Polls

Meanwhile, three nationwide opinion polls have been published in the past 24 hours, with leads of between 17 per cent and 26 per cent for the Labour party.

An average of all polls that were carried out wholly or partly during the seven days to June 4 puts Labour on 45 per cent, 21 points ahead of the Conservatives on 24 per cent, followed by Reform UK on 12 per cent, the Liberal Democrats on 9 per cent and the Greens on 5 per cent.

More TV debates: Dates, times and channels

On June 7, Mishal Husain will host a BBC debate between leading figures from the Conservative Party, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, the Green Party and Reform UK.

The audience and members of the public will have the chance to ask questions during the debate in London.

Deputy leader Angela Rayner will represent Labour in the BBC's seven-party debate on Friday from 7.30pm to 9pm. Commons leader Penny Mordaunt will represent the Tories.

On June 13, ITV will broadcast a similar 90-minute Election Debate 2024 for the same seven parties, from 8.30pm.

On June 20, a BBC Question Time Leaders' Special is being held in York. Fiona Bruce will present the show involving leaders of the four biggest political parties, broadcast from 8pm.

The last scheduled debate, on June 26, is a final head-to-head between Mr Sunak and Mr Starmer being held in Nottingham. The BBC’s Sophie Raworth will host the event to be broadcast between 9pm and 10pm.

“TV debates have become a key part of elections in the UK, giving voters the chance to hear leaders and senior politicians debate policies and ideas directly with each other, which rarely happens on the campaign trail,” said BBC News deputy chief executive Jonathan Munro.

Further events may be arranged.