The first Tory leadership debate could significantly reshape the contest | Martin Kettle

Sunak performed well, with Mordaunt failing to justify her billing and Truss struggling to appeal beyond the party’s right

Ever since the first televised presidential debates in the US more than 60 years ago the received wisdom has been that TV debates are important hurdles, but that they do not shift a lot of votes. However, the first Conservative leadership debate on Friday evening felt as though it could significantly reshape the contest to succeed Boris Johnson.

In reality, the Channel 4 debate was an insight into two different arguments. The big one is the race to be Britain’s next prime minister. That battle is mainly between the three frontrunners in the first two rounds of voting this week: Rishi Sunak; Penny Mordaunt; and Liz Truss. In that respect, Sunak clearly had the best of the evening, with Mordaunt failing to justify her strong showing in the early rounds, and Truss struggling to appeal beyond the right wing of the party.

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