Sunak has his work cut out if he is to win over Tory voters

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak barely have time to catch their breath after last night’s scrappy debate: today they’re back on set for a TalkTV hustings. Sunak had hoped to use yesterday’s BBC head-to-head to close the 24-point lead that Truss has with Conservative members, but his tactics have left many wondering if he’s damaged his cause even more. His constant interruptions and refusal to let Truss finish her points might have seemed a good idea in rehearsals, but they have allowed a ‘mansplaining’ narrative about the normally overly polite politician to take hold. In a previous debate, Truss claimed her weakness was that she was too enthusiastic, but last night Sunak was the one with an excessive amount of energy. It didn’t work – even if his arguments about sound money were important.

A poll from YouGov of 507 Conservative party members just published found Truss still has a 11-point lead over Sunak, with 50 per cent thinking she did best to Sunak’s 39 per cent.