In tonight’s BBC Question Time debate Conservative leader David Cameron, faced a number of questions that left him a little lost for words.
The first question of the night came from Jenney Johnson, who asked: “Will you put to bed rumours that you plan to cut child tax credit and restrict child benefit to two children?”
These controversial allegations seemed to throw David Cameron, with his first response contradicting the recent rumours that the Conservatives want to cut child tax credits. He said that it was something that was proposed to him during the last term and that he rejected it then, and continues to reject now.
Other audience members really pushed Cameron, with one asking: “Surely anybody with half a brain can see that the NHS isn’t sustainable in it’s present form, you can’t just keep pouring more and more money into it. What are your thoughts on that?”
Mr Cameron found himself in a sticky situation, having to disagree with a potential voter, only to be told by the gentleman in the audience that he was wrong. The Conservative leader went on to explain that our health system is very “cost effective” compared to other health systems in the EU.
Tonight’s chair David Dimbleby also pushed Cameron, asking: “Why don’t voters trust the Conservatives on the NHS?”
The question of trust was something raised more than once throughout the debate, and one that was never quite answered. Cameron seemed to respond by saying that he believed in what the Conservatives are proposing and that this was enough. Trust was raised again concerning his promise to introduce a law to freeze taxes, and why he felt the need to actually legislate on this, why couldn’t he just keep his promise?
Matthew Coulson’s question was one on the mind of many across the UK: “If you’re in a situation where you have to team up with another party, what policies would you be willing to compromise?”
This was the last topic of the night, raised by more than one member of the audience. Mr Cameron responded by saying that he would not be willing to compromise on anything. He decided to take the more optimistic line of saying that he will continue to fight over the next 7 days to win with a majority. He did say however, that under no circumstances, would he enter into a government without the EU referendum.
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