Wednesday night’s leadership debate, meant to inspire hope, fell flat, echoing England’s lackluster performance against Slovenia.
A critical issue, local government funding, was barely mentioned, leaving cities like Nottingham facing dire cuts. Immigration discussions mirrored populist rhetoric, lacking a positive vision. Despite numerous crises—from NHS waiting lists to child poverty—no comprehensive plans were presented. The absence of foreign policy discourse amid global conflicts was alarming.
As the election nears, the debate highlighted the uninspiring nature of this scandal-ridden campaign, leaving the public yearning for its end.
This piece is part of a series reflecting on the debates leading up to the general election.
Councillor Russell Whiting
Independent Councillor for ColwickI sat down on Wednesday evening for the second night in a week to a set-piece TV event. One that was meant to inspire and maybe even bring some hope to the country. Instead, like England v Slovenia, what we got lacklustre and dull, leaving many of us of echoing the thoughts of the questioner who asked, “Is this really the best we can do”.
Where was the Mention on Local Government Funding?
For me, one of the most important questions of the evening was funding for local government. Nottingham has recently joined other authorities across the country in declaring itself bankrupt, and the most savage cuts imaginable will be hitting the city in the coming years. Yet local government has hardly been mentioned in the campaign, despite warnings that the debts being racked up are unsustainable and threaten the security of many services we all rely on. Keir Starmer’s answer appeared to be to give councils the same amount of money for longer – while Rishi Sunak didn’t even really try and answer the question. A common theme throughout the evening.
Immigration Debate Disappointment
While the same old arguments about migration were rehearsed yet again, I briefly thought I was watching a Nigel Farage version of Stars in Their Eyes. Hearing a Labour leader attack Rishi Sunak as being “liberal” on immigration was frankly grim. I have yet to hear a senior politician form either party make the positive case for immigration – they have learned nothing from other parts of the world where right-wing populists have been beaten not by trying to outdo their policies, but by presenting a different vision for the future.
No Big Plan on Big Crises
Everyone can see the plethora of crises facing the country; debt at record levels; universities on the brink of funding collapse; huge NHS waiting lists; struggles to get a GP or dentist appointment; roads are crumbling; children living in poverty to name but a few. I heard no big plan to tackle any of these. The more the politicians talk about change, the more it feels like things will stay the same.
Bye, Bye Britain
The thing that concerned me most was the total lack of discussion around foreign policy. As the Israeli bombing of Gaza continues, the war in Ukraine grinds on at a stalemate, the world faces a second Trump presidency and climate breakdown threatens our very civilization, it’s as if Britain has left the world stage never to return.
Final Thought
There’s only a week until the General Election, when the public finally get to have their say and end most uninspiring, scandal filled campaign the country has ever seen. My main takeaway from the debate was the same as the football: Thank goodness it’s over!
This is just one of a collection of opinion pieces that reflect on the leadership debates in the run up to the general election. To access the others, please click here.