Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer, John Swinney and Ed Davey grilled by BBC Question Time audience| BBC News

Summary

In a heated BBC1 debate, the Prime Minister addresses allegations of unethical conduct among Conservative colleagues, promising severe consequences for any wrongdoing. Other leaders discuss immigration, national service, and the impact of past decisions on public trust. Amidst the controversy, the Conservative Party faces scrutiny over alleged bets on the election date, with candidates like Laura Saunders considering legal action against the BBC for privacy infringement.

Takeaways

• 📺 The BBC1 program featured various political leaders discussing a range of topics including the NHS, immigration, trust in leaders, and university tuition fees.
• 🔍 Allegations of betting on the election date by Conservative party members have surfaced, causing a stir and raising questions about ethics within the party.
• 😠 The Prime Minister expressed anger over the allegations and confirmed that they are being investigated by law enforcement, with a promise to remove anyone found guilty from the party.
• 👮‍♂️ The Conservative candidate, Laura SA, and her husband Tony Lee are under investigation by the Gambling Commission for alleged bets on the election timing.
• 👥 The Prime Minister proposed a national service program for young people, with incentives and sanctions to encourage participation.
• 🏛️ The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, faced criticism over past coalition government decisions, particularly regarding university tuition fees in England.
• 🤔 Ed Davey was questioned about his party's trustworthiness by a younger generation, to which he acknowledged past mistakes and emphasized the importance of policies and accountability.
• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland's First Minister and SNP leader discussed the recent challenges faced by the party, including legal issues, and his commitment to lead the SNP into a new direction.
• 🗳️ The SNP leader emphasized the importance of winning a majority of Scottish seats for negotiations on a second independence referendum to begin.
• 💼 The Conservative party's director of campaigning, Tony Lee, took a leave of absence amidst the betting allegations, which are overshadowing the party's campaign.
• 📉 The ongoing investigation into the alleged bets on the election timing is causing negative publicity for the Conservative party, which is already lagging in the polls.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed regarding the Conservative Party in the script?

The main issue discussed is the allegations of betting on the election date by some Conservative Party members, which has raised concerns about the party's ethics.

How did the Prime Minister respond to the allegations of betting on the election date?

The Prime Minister expressed anger over the allegations and stated that they are being investigated by the relevant law enforcement authority. He also mentioned that if anyone is found guilty, they will face the full consequences of the law and be removed from the Conservative Party.

What is the Prime Minister's stance on compulsory national service for young people?

The Prime Minister suggested that national service could be an option for young people, with a set of sanctions and incentives to encourage participation. He mentioned looking at driving licenses and access to finance as potential incentives.

What was the context of the statement made by the man who is likely to be the next Prime Minister about Jeremy Corbyn?

The statement was made 5 years ago, suggesting that Jeremy Corbyn would make a great Prime Minister. The context was questioned as it seemed to contradict his current political stance.

How did the audience react to the man's refusal to clarify his statement about Jeremy Corbyn?

The audience laughed at his repeated refusal to give a yes or no answer regarding his previous statement about Jeremy Corbyn.

What is the stance of the Scottish National Party (SNP) on immigration?

The SNP leader did not commit to specific targets on immigration, stating that every politician who has put a number on it has never met that number.

What recent challenges has the SNP faced according to the script?

The SNP has faced challenges including the arrest of former leader Nicola Sturgeon and the arrest and charging of her husband Peter Murrell over party finances.

What is the SNP's position on a second Independence referendum?

The SNP leader stated that if they win a majority of Scottish seats in the upcoming election, negotiations for a second Independence referendum should begin.

What concerns were raised about the Liberal Democrats' financial proposals?

Concerns were raised about the possibility of the Liberal Democrats bankrupting the country with their financial proposals.

How did the Liberal Democrat leader respond to the concerns about their financial proposals?

The leader responded by stating that their proposals are responsible, fully costed, and that other parties are not putting enough money into public services.

What is the latest development regarding the allegations of bets on the timing of the general election?

The latest development is a statement from Conservative candidate Laura Saunders, who said she will cooperate with the gambling commission and is considering legal action against the BBC and other publishers who infringe her privacy rights.

Outlines

00:00

😠 Allegations of Betting on Election Date and Ethical Concerns

The Prime Minister addresses allegations of Conservative party members betting on the election date, expressing anger and the need for proper investigation. He assures that if anyone is found guilty, they will face legal consequences and be expelled from the party. The discussion also touches on a proposal for compulsory national service for young people, with potential sanctions and incentives in place for non-compliance.

05:01

🎓 University Tuition Fees and Trust in Leadership

A leader from the Liberal Democrats discusses the loss of trust among the younger generation due to past government decisions on university tuition fees. He acknowledges the difficulty of the previous government and attempts to restore faith by sharing a personal anecdote about meeting his wife through a policy working group. The conversation also covers the impact of the coalition government and the challenges faced by the party.

Keywords

💡NHS

The National Health Service (NHS) is the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. In the video, the NHS is mentioned as one of the topics discussed, indicating the importance of healthcare in the political discourse. It is a key issue for voters and political parties during election campaigns.

💡Immigration

Immigration refers to the movement of people from one country to another with the intention of residing there. The script mentions immigration as a topic of discussion, highlighting it as a contentious political issue. It is often debated in terms of policy and its impact on society and the economy.

💡Leadership

Leadership in this context refers to the ability to guide and direct a group or organization. The video discusses trust in leaders, suggesting that the public's confidence in political leaders is a significant concern, especially in the context of ethical conduct and decision-making.

💡Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are the charges for educational instruction at universities. The script mentions university tuition fees in England, indicating that education funding and accessibility are key topics. This is a concern for students and families and a policy area where political parties may differ.

💡Ethics

Ethics refers to moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior. The video script discusses allegations of unethical conduct by members of the Conservative party, suggesting that ethical standards are a critical factor in public perception and political discourse.

💡Investigation

An investigation is a systematic examination or inquiry into a matter. The script mentions ongoing investigations into allegations of betting on the election date, showing that legal scrutiny is a part of the political landscape and can impact public trust and party reputation.

💡National Service

National service is a program where citizens perform duties for the benefit of the country, often in the military. The script discusses the idea of compulsory national service for young people, indicating it as a proposal to engage youth in societal contributions and possibly address social issues.

💡Sanctions and Incentives

Sanctions are penalties imposed for disobedience or rule-breaking, while incentives are rewards offered to encourage certain behavior. The script mentions these as potential mechanisms to enforce national service, illustrating the use of both punitive and motivational measures in policy implementation.

💡Immigration Targets

Immigration targets refer to numerical goals set by governments for the admission of immigrants. The script discusses the reluctance to set specific targets, indicating a political stance that avoids making promises that may be difficult to fulfill.

💡Independence Referendum

An independence referendum is a vote to decide whether a country or region should become independent. The script mentions the Scottish National Party's (SNP) commitment to holding a second referendum if they win a majority, showing the ongoing debate over Scotland's status within the UK.

💡Coalition Government

A coalition government is formed when two or more political parties join together to form a government, usually because no single party has a majority. The script refers to the Liberal Democrats' past experience in a coalition, indicating the complexities and compromises involved in such arrangements.

Highlights

BBC1 hosts a special 'Question Time' featuring political leaders discussing various topics.

The Prime Minister addresses allegations of betting on the election date by Conservative colleagues, expressing anger and commitment to proper investigation.

Concerns raised about the ethics of the Conservative party and the impact on the upcoming election.

The Prime Minister's idea of compulsory national service for young people, including military service as an option.

Discussion on the potential sanctions and incentives for those who refuse national service, such as restrictions on driving licenses or financial access.

Labour leader's past comment on Jeremy Corbyn's suitability as Prime Minister, avoiding a direct answer on its sincerity.

Criticism of the Conservatives' stance on immigration and the lack of specific targets from the Labour party.

Scotland's First Minister discusses the recent challenges faced by the SNP and the arrest of former leader Nicola Sturgeon.

The SNP's commitment to a second Independence referendum if they win a majority of Scottish seats.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey addresses concerns about potential bankruptcy due to party policies, emphasizing responsible and fully costed proposals.

Allegations of bets on the timing of the general election overshadowing the Conservative party's campaign.

Statement from Conservative candidate Laura SA, cooperating with the Gambling Commission and considering legal action against the BBC and other publishers.

The Gambling Commission's ongoing investigation into the possibility of offenses concerning the election date, without confirming or denying individuals involved.

BBC News report on the Conservative party's response to the allegations and the impact on the campaign.

The importance of the upcoming election for the Conservative party, with the investigation potentially affecting public trust.

Transcripts

the first question time leaders special

here on bbc1 there is another one on

bbc1 Wales on Monday evening featuring

ped Cy and a third one a week tomorrow

which will feature reform UK and the

green party of England and Wales but

what about tonight a platter of topics

in the last couple of hours the NHS

immigration trust in leaders and tuition

fees University tuition fees in England

but for the prime minister in the last

half hour questions two about the

alleged conduct of some of his

conservative

colleagues familiar music but no panel

tonight one leader one after another

facing a live audience for half an hour

each and first the Prime Minister asked

about the story we've brought you on BBC

News throughout the day aren't these

amering allegations about betting on the

election date the absolute epitome of

the lack of Ethics that we have had to

tolerate from the conservative party for

years and

[Applause]

years well like you I was incredibly

angry incredibly angry to learn of these

allegations it's a really serious matter

it's right that they're being

investigated properly by the relevant

law enforcement Authority but you're

happy not to suspend them to let them

carry on and go on to the election

obviously they've not aditt aded

anything no one as saying that a

decision has been taken about their

guilt or their innocence but you're

happy for them to go into the election

and represent you and the conservative

party well f as you said these

investigations are ongoing but what I

can tell you is if anyone has found to

have broken the rules not only should

they face the full consequences of the

law I will make sure that they are

booted out of the conservative party to

help and then his idea for Young People

National service will be compulsory the

military option will be something that

people choose to do see so how will you

make people do it well you'll have a set

of sanctions and incentives there's all

sorts of things that people do across

Europe whether that's looking at driving

licenses other access to finance all

sorts of other things the right thing to

do is ACC to finance so if people don't

want to do national service what you're

going to take their bank cards away what

you no no there's there's access there

there's lots of different models around

Europe next the man who poll suggest is

likely to be prime minister 2 weeks

tomorrow and a Sticky Wicket over a he

made 5 years ago about Jeremy Corbin you

said he'd make a great prime minister

did you mean it it it wasn't a question

that really arose because I didn't think

we were going to win the election and

now but we all heard you we all heard

you saying he would be a great prime

minister that was your way of telling

the people here vote for him did you not

mean that I was campaigning for the

labor party and I'm glad I did but you

also you also campaigned for the for

Jeremy to be prime minister was

campaigning for the labor party I was a

labor politician hear the question the

audience laughed at his repeated refusal

to give a yes or no answer Susan came

next given your severe criticism of the

conservatives on the topic of

immigration do you think it's acceptable

at this point so near the general

election for your own party not to

commit to specific targets around this

critical topic I'm not going to put an

arbitrary figure on it because every

single politician who's put a number on

it has never met that

number next Scotland's first Minister

and Scottish national party leader John

swinny it's been a bumpy time for the S

SMP not least the arrest of former

leader Nichola sturgeon and the arrest

and charging of her husband Peter murell

the snp's former Chief Executive over

the party's finances given the recent

scandals and dramas with the SNP how

will you differ from your predecessors

and project

competence I think the the honest answer

is that we've had a very tough time as a

party in the last couple of years and as

a consequence of all of those

difficulties I'm here to lead the

Scottish national party the S&P say if

they win a majority of Scottish seats

next month that would mean negotiations

for a second Independence referendum

should begin so if you do not get the

majority of scotes at Westminster what

does that tell you about your mandate to

ask for another referendum well what

what I want to do during the election

campaign is to encourage people to vote

for the

SNP to enable to enable us to deliver on

that policy commitment which is right at

the heart are you going to answer that

question or not well what I'm saying is

that I want people to vote for the

S&P next up the liberal Democrat leader

s ed Davey and Allison in the audience

wasn't messing about aren't you going to

bankrupt the

country well thank you for your question

Allison uh the answer is no uh and I

think our proposals are responsible

they're fully costed I think other

parties frankly are not putting the

money in we need to rescue our Public

Services the liberal Democrats recording

coalition government still rils some

take this about University tuition fees

in England how come my generation trusts

you well listen

I'm I understand why your generation

lost faith in us um it was a difficult

government to be in and we got punished

the first but politics isn't all

policies costings and accountability you

my wife uh I met her on a liberal

Democrat housing policy working group

that sound maybe night out that

sound M Mr romance well the latest there

from York let's talk to Chris Mason who

is joining us now and we saw in your

report this Ral over the allegations of

bets on the timing of the general

election it is really overshadowing the

the conservatives campaign at the

moment it certainly has done today and

let me bring you the latest on that

story now because we have a statement

tonight from the Conservative candidate

Laura SA she has said via her solicitors

that she will be cooperating with the

gambling commission that's the regulator

for the betting industry and she said

she is considering legal action against

the BBC and any other Publishers who

infringe her privacy rights here is our

story if few bet on labor you can never

win so said this conservative party

social media video yesterday after noon

complete with juny

music the video has since

vanished hi my name is Laura Saunders

and I'm the Conservative Party candidate

for Bristol Northwest she has been doing

the campaigning thing all over her patch

this is one of her Facebook videos she's

also worked for the conservative party

since 2015 including at head office in

Westminster and here is her husband Tony

Lee he is the conservative party's

director of campaigning he took leave of

absence from the job yesterday I can

tell how the world will think it looks

which is not great um but you know uh I

can't get into uh I can't know what

conversations were had with whom at what

time I later found out both Laura

Saunders and Tony Lee are being looked

into by the gambling commission the

regulator over alleged bets about the

timing of the general election we have

approached Mr Lee and he has not

commented a conservative party spokesman

told the BBC we have been contacted by

the gambling commission about a small

number of individuals as the gambling

commission is an independent body it

wouldn't be proper to comment further

until any process is concluded did you

have inside information the party said

something similar last week when Rishi

sunak parliamentary Aid and Conservative

candidate Craig Williams admitted to

betting on the timing of the election

a huge error of judgment that's that's

for sure and I apologize the gambling

commission has told us currently the

commission is investigating the

possibility of offenses concerning the

date of the election this is an ongoing

investigation we are not confirming or

denying the identity of any individuals

involved in this

investigation for conservative Campaign

Headquarters a fortnight from polling

day and miles behind in the opinion s

this to put it delicately is the last

thing they need Chris Mason BBC News