Nicola Sturgeon emerged as the standout performer in ITV's seven-way election debate, with the SNP leader praised for her relaxed and controlled debating style. She drew rare laughter from the audience when she sharply interrupted a question from Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson to Labour's Richard Burgon, asserting that no deal could be better than remaining in the EU.
Richard Burgon started hesitantly under attack over Labour's sentencing policy and Brexit stance, but gained momentum with strong criticisms of Conservative threats to the NHS. He delivered a memorable line against Nigel Farage, accusing him of lacking independence while taking instructions from Donald Trump.
Plaid Cymru's Adam Price also landed blows on Farage, condemning his defence of Trump's remarks about women and taking offence as a gay man at Boris Johnson's comments about 'bumboys in tank tops'. Price declared both Trump and Johnson unfit for public life.
Jo Swinson delivered the strongest opening statement, accusing Johnson of avoiding the debate and leaving it to his 'cheerleader'. However, her overall performance was considered flatter than in the previous BBC debate. Green Party co-leader Sian Berry struggled for airtime despite delivering a necessary message on the climate emergency.
Conservative representative Rishi Sunak was described as 'cheesy and wooden', with pre-cooked lines that failed to cut through. Despite no major slip-ups, the Tories were likely relieved he survived the two hours without incident. Nigel Farage attacked both Conservatives and Labour on sentencing, calling for tougher measures against terrorists, but faltered when defending Trump's sexist comments as typical 'after a night out'.
