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Didn't see it. Can't afford Sky.

I have worked in the Prison Service since 1992 ... Rory is the best Minister we had .................I'm so pleased this channel exists as Alister is one of the biggest sources of good behind New Labour ....

Who would have thought, as a young boy, unable to afford Sky, that Rishi would one day be on the service as Prime Minister. Dreams do come true, to quote a young boy who couldn't afford Sky, we're "in business."

When Starmer talked about worrying about his kids, he became more electable in so many people's minds.

Personally, I really want our next leader to be boring. I would like to think that he's bookish and smarter than me, smarter than most people, and I do get that feeling from Starmer. People voted for Boris because he was "a character" and look where that got us.

Just LOVE this potcast- hands down the best, most measured and informed discussion. Both so likeable and fascinating. Long may it continue!

"Did you know my dad was a tool maker?" would have been hilarious

Massive win for Starmer. He was far more animated than usual and did the right thing by insisting he wouldn’t make any promises he couldn’t guarantee to keep. Disappointing for Labour supporters to hear him so determinedly centrist but absolutely the right tactic in terms of outflanking Sunak, who was pretty terrible. Obviously nobody in the audience was buying the idea that they should ignore the chaos of the pre-Sunak Tory years.

Rory's mandala tapastry does it for me!

The only reaction to "are you a robot" should have been "does not compute, beep boop boop beep".

The audience questions have been better than the professionals in both formats

Why this obsession with low tax? Surely to get children out of poverty, improve the NHS, improve education, encourage further education, build social housing, you need to pay tax!

Thank you for saving me watching it. Great public service.

Beth Rigsby was spot on, equally tough on both. I could not detect any bias from her and with TV pundits that's REFRESHING.

Its such a pleasure to watch this channel. Intelligent unbigoted discussion.

You can see that Sunak is dealing with real adversity for the first time in his life. This is the problem with living a life of security, he has struggled to connect and now failing is taking its toll on him. He looks finished half way through the campaign!

Much better format than ITV debate, they should be answering voters rather than fight each other in W’minster bubble. Sunak looks beaten. Starmer was v reassuring & great when media allows a bit of time for nuances, eg liked his answer on nationalising energy £10bn cost. He may not be v charismatic but think he’ll be excellent at governing - good focus, detail, balanced & rational mind, calm & considered, authentic, has will to drive change & cares about people & services. Also like that he isn’t divisive, destructive, erratic & egocentric - which has become the hallmark of Sunak & the Tories. PS, Great to see you on C4 last night! Felt different on big screen to see good, honest discussion on mainstream TV. Studio set could be bit better - lighting, backdrop, seating, camera etc. Minor things but otherwise real breath of fresh air to hear informed, calm & real conversation without interruption & spin 👏🏼👏🏼.

On the topic of Starmer’s initial questions from Beth around previous policies and Corbyn I really really don’t get why he didn’t lean into “we lost heavily in 2019, since there’s been a global pandemic and Russia has invaded Ukraine. This manifesto has to be more realistic, we had to change. AND YES, I believed in 2019 Jeremy Corbyn would have made better decisions than Boris” End of. It wasn’t that hard. That answer covers most if not all angles

Rishi Sunak is completely dead in the eyes now.

Excellent, thank you.

Pollster Frank Luntz says that Tory seats with majorities of 20,000 or less are at risk. 😮

Kier looked a serious contender, where’s Rishi looked like a desperate hand wringer repeating clear plan to convince himself. Brexit the cause of the exodus of huge numbers of workers from the NHS and a massive act of self harm to the economy in general barely got a mention…. The immigration figure levels disparity pre and post Brexit was illuminating.

As an undecided voter. I actually thought starmer came across pretty well. Defended himself well against Rigby questioning & thought she came across a little rude with constant butting in. Then the audience bit showed compassion & some decent answers. They could have had more info & he does waffle but it’s never going to be perfect for either candidate. The question about him being boring was pointless, what was he meant to say, may as well just said he didn’t like him. He is kind of boring but after the theatre of the previous 5 years that’s needed. Felt sunak looked tired & didn’t really want to be there, contradicting himself with the audience part at times. But I feel his team has let him down & he is trying but taking its toll that it’s to no avail in the polls. Unfortunately the 14 year record is impossible to defend for him. Both are a better choice & less extreme than both candidates in 2019. The format was much better, Rigby was more interrupting of starmer but probably cooked Rishi more because the Tory record is there to see so balanced out well. But starmer may have won my vote tonight

My Polish partner doesn't speak much English but when Sunak was interviewed she immediately picked up on his body language that he's had enough and is only waiting to go away.

I think i saw the moment when Sunak's heart broke. That makes ne smile 😊. If you think that sounds harsh, he has made the lives of so many people i know so tough.

YouGov has Starmer winning 64% to Sunak 36%

Thank you - really value your analysis

The odd thing is both of them were trying to appeal to Tory voters. Labour voters are already decided.

History will tell how Sunak's biggest error was a long campaign. It's shocking to imagine we still have three weeks of this to go.

Yes starmer does take the long route in his answers. It's the lawyer training coming out. He needs to adopt the mantra: don't bury the lead.

Have been watching since the inception of the podcast / channel. Great insight and very informative.

So glad Keir has understood the formula for making Labour electable to the general public. A centrist Labour should win most elections but certain factions keep pushing the party too far to the left

Thank you gentlemen

£2000 pot from Holland? Hope it’s the good stuff, Rory

Thanks for the information on this. 🎉 It's always good to get your take on what is happening.

As someone who is struggling to maintain friendships from across the political divide, I am honestly besotted with the relationship between these two EDIT - Rory & Alastair, not Rishi & Keir lol

Sunak says he had a deprived childhood, his parents could only afford Westminster school, Oxford and Princeton, no money left for Sky TV. Poor lad.

Watching these guys makes me think the entire politcal class is just divorced from reality.

I thought the bit where Keir Starmer admonished the audience for laughing when he mentioned his father was toolmaker actually worked surprisingly well.

The biggest announcement is that Rory will show the pots in the live show after the next debate!

In classic Beth Rigby fashion she made the interviews about herself with constant smurking and gotcha questions - she’ll walk home singing over the fact that the audience clapped so many times for her during the sunak interview. I actually found out more about Starmer and Sunak’s policies from the audiences’ questions

Starmer looked like a PM. Sunak like a whipped dog

Sunak seemed relaxed and open whereas Starmer looked like he’s in a mental straight jacket.

As a mum of four adult sons I have to say I am incredibly impressed that Rory delivered his own baby. Most fathers might be happy to be at the birth but few believe they will the ones expected to step up the plate and take control of what must have been both a very happy but scary moment. Rory - never let that story get old!

Looking forward to this

The most sense spoken about this long winded and in truth all ready run election. Thanks both!

Thanks

WE WANT TO SEE THE POTS!

Evidently had 19 Labour activists & 12 tory activists in the audience in Grimsby.

I have to say, regardless of the host, i think is a much better format for a debate ngl

Rigby's style was terrible. Referring to the audience as "you lot" after Starmer's 1-1 is frankly unprofessional. Starmer and Sunak did not talk over Rigby, she talked over them. Her sarcastic tone did not suit the event either. I was half expecting her to start eye-rolling...

My Dad was a retail manager and my Mum was also a nurse. Does that make me an even better prospect for Prime Minister than Sir Keir Starmer .. ?

Sky presenter still stopped them answering. Audience questions were much better.

I like Rory Stewart He in a political stance understands the working class in a strange form He has been told by his Eton masters But doesn’t really understand what the real working class people think or are going through

Starmer not tribal?! 😂 ... That explains the purge of as many left wing Labour MP's as possible. Starmer won't win the GE based on people actually being enthused by him, it's predominantly based on how dire the Tories have been over the last 14 years.

It’s a shame Alastair thinks he doesn’t see Gaza not being mentioned as a problem, as if the worst genocide in modern times is trivial and not worth raising on this very important platform

These two analysed things well! It's a rare things to hear two people coming from different political directions, discuss things intelligently without rancour or trying to score cheap points!

They should both have James O’Brien interview them

Hi Alastair and Rory. I’ve just flicked through the Labour manifesto and I have to say, they have a plan. Keir’s performance showed reliability and a sense of purpose. He may not be the most charismatic leader but the UK needs capable, reliable government and not yet more years of Tory chaos. Boris Johnson was a ‘charismatic’ and look at the chaos he created. Sunak seemed beaten down and defensive. There was only one person who behaved as a prime minister and it was Keir Starmer

Beth Rigby tried to make the whole interview about her, rude, talking over both and tried to make her own opinions fact.... She thinks she's forensic, but she's just obnoxious. Starmer's reply to the robotic question should of been "What's wrong with robotic and grey?" You've had 14 years of clowns who have stolen your money and broke your country" "Would you like more of that?" .... Beth didn't skewer Sunak on D-Day given the video clip that came out of him bragging that D-Day held him up... Sunak lies and lies, and no one ever challenges him on this. Starmer needs to realise and own being grey and boring is his super strength

Can you post links to the full debates referenced

Anyone got a spare skybox and dish ? It’s not for me,it’s for some strange little guy I saw on the tv earlier today. He told a heartbreaking tale of his deprived upbringing without Sky tv. I just felt so sorry for the little chap.

I thought Beth Rigby made the event about her, interupted Starmer so that you couldnt hear what he was saying but gave Sunak an easier time...luckily Sunak shot himself in the foot....but why Grimsby?

Rishi Sunak is not tired, he is defeated. He doesnt want to be there any more.

New to this. what is behind RorY Stewart? A thanka?

I found this event frustrating. If the leaders had 45 seconds to respond last time out, Beth Rigby gave them 5-10 this time before cutting across. Will there be a time for leaders to address the country in detail in this campaign?

Rory is completely obsessed by people not liking the Tories! It is not enough that the likes of him and his class, born into wealth and privately educated, have brought the country to its knees he also desperately wants us to think they're all decent chaps with nothing but the best of intentions.

Kier did fantastic, really pleased with it. Sunak is so disconnected and it's obvious he has no compassion whatsoever. I can't wait to see his resignation

I found it difficult to learn anything with Beth interrupting, then over-talking every answer. Kept hoping a producer would tell her to ask the question, then ZIP IT! Didn't happen.

Hell with the pots. Tell me about the artwork behind Rory.

16:25 ish - Funnily enough, Beth seeming to go easier on Sunak because at this point it's almost like kicking a puppy, came up in conversation during the programme here

Rishi Sunak has pots as well, pots of money. 💰

We may have the highest tax burden ever but but but our tax take/ GDP ratio is still much less that other European countries that have better public services and quality of life for their citizens. Why can’t our politicians just be honest with voters about public services like the nhs and investment needed. If national debt is not to increase then real improvements in services will demand higher taxes. And as in other countries this may not be a bad thing. So long as the investment is linked to long term, results based on planning and clear means of measuring progress.

Man who spent £2000 on pots doesn’t approve of class war.

Never mind Rory's pots. I love that Tibetan Thangka behind him. Which sacred being is depicted ? Where did he get it? I need the full view. I love Tibetan sacred art.

No chance of the Tories holding on in Rushcliffe!

Rishi had no answers.

He is not ‘whacking on tax for private schools!’ he is stating he will REMOVE the tax EXEMPTION.

Charlie asked what your parents did and you both exclusively spoke about your fathers? 😂. What did your mothers do?

POTS AFTER THE NEXT DEBATE LETS GOOO

The correct answer to Rigby’s Corbyn question “Look Beth, when you’re part of large organisations you have to be a team player to get your ideas through. We all have a boss we disagree with but we grit our teeth and got out there and root for the organisation. I’m pretty sure most people can relate to that. Most people have struggled with a superior that’s not your cut of tea, but your job is to go out there and bat for the team.” Look to audience “You’ve been there, right?” This also would counteract the Tory attacks regarding his time was a human rights lawyer.

The pots promise… can he keep it 😂

I realise this question may be mute, but if Rishi Sunak won, how long do you think he would be PM for?

Unless i'm mistaken didn't Starmer say he has a Private Dentist because he's an adult 🤣? Pretty sure last week he said he would never use Private healthcare 🤪

I usually like Beth, but yesterday I thought that she wasted a lot of time asking Stamer about Corbyn. Why does Corbyn matter right now in the debate? I think that she was clearly pro Tories yesterday. She herself agreed with Sunak that he was responsible for halving the inflation rate….. also Beth’s questions were very boring just like herself yesterday.

Show us the pots!

What a choice! One who has buggered it up and one who will bugger it up !

Interesting observation, I hope, about Keir Starmer "putting the answers at the end": This is classic organisational mindset when communicating difficult/significant change. When you're talking to your 'board' (or equivalent) you build the case for change then go through the options then reveal the selected option and the delivery plan. What 'the people' (employees etc) want is to turn that pyramid on its head. (The nationwide 'engage for success' movement has done plenty of research on this). The 'hierarchy of information' for this audience should be: What is going to change. When. What does that mean for me. What does that mean for the people I care about (team, service, customers etc). What do I need to do now. Now, remind me why we're doing this.

"Why aren't you more positive about politics, and I thought... My god he's now brainwashing my children" lol.. 🤣🤣

I’m one of the ones that didn’t watch the debate and just listen/watch yourselves instead. Thanks gents.

Pots please!

If this was a boxing match the referee would have stopped it two weeks ago

Thanks for saving me from the torture of watching tge debate. I clearly missed nothing!

I do have a question for Rory and AC... "Do Starmer&Sunak watch these interviews/debates back and analyse how they could do better and do they have a coach on how to be better at answering these questions? Because if they don't, they bloody well should!!

The answer to "are you a robot" is "would you like someone in charge who has to follow the 3 laws and therefore can only ever put the country first, or a man who lined his own pockets out on the misfortune of this country?"

Loving your work Rory and Alastair 👍👍👍

I have two points that concern me. Lack of proportional representation may make people apathetic to vote. And secondly I genuinely don't understand how it is even a debate between Lab and Con, surely a debate now won't change minds when they consider the last 14 years.

Tell me more about Rory’s pots, am I missing something?

The man and the millionaire