PM Sunak, Starmer face grilling by British voters

Leaders of ruling Tories and opposition Labour challenged over pledges, past calls

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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer were grilled by voters at a televised event on June 12, with both challenged over their past decisions, pledges and how they would fund policies if they won the election on July 4.

At their last meeting in television studios before the polls, the two men took turns to face an interviewer and then an audience, whose questions and responses underscored the everyday struggles of many in Britain and the mistrust of politicians.

With just over three weeks until the vote, opinion polls suggest Labour will win easily. Mr Sunak was booed and heckled over doctors' strikes, migration and his Conservative Party policy to introduce national service for young people.

Mr Starmer was taken to task for what one audience member said was his avoidance of answering questions, and over his previous support of his predecessor, leftwing veteran Jeremy Corbyn.

A poll after the event on Sky News in the northern English town of Grimsby showed 64 per cent of respondents believed Mr Starmer had won.