BOJO OUT IN FRONT
Who won ITV’s General Election debate? Boris Johnson edges Jeremy Corbyn 51-49 in poll
BORIS Johnson edged Jeremy Corbyn 51-49 according to a snap election debate poll.
The narrow win comes with the PM far ahead in the polls - consolidating him as a firm favourite for the General Election.
Chris Curtis, YouGov’s Political Research Manager, said: "Our snap poll shows that the public is divided on who won the debate, with most Labour voters thinking Jeremy Corbyn won, most Conservative voters thinking Boris Johnson won, and very few people changing their minds.
"But given the Conservatives went into this debate in the lead, they will hope the lack of a knockout blow means they can maintain this until voting day."
More than 1,000 people who watched the debate were quizzed on the question "who performed best" and 51 per cent said Boris.
But the figures are so close, they could be within the margin of error for pollsters.
It comes after Corbyn refused nine times to say whether he would back his own Brexit deal in a bruising TV clash.
The PM repeatedly pressed the leftie Labour boss to answer in their first live debate ahead of the December 12 poll.
WHO WON IT
Who do you think came across as more trustworthy?
40% Boris Johnson, 45% Jeremy Corbyn, 15% Don’t know
Who do you think came across as more likeable?
54% Boris Johnson, 37% Jeremy Corbyn, 10% Don’t know
Who do you think came across as more in touch with ordinary people?
25% Boris Johnson, 59% Jeremy Corbyn, 16% Don’t know
Who do you think came across as more Prime Ministerial?
54% Boris Johnson, 29% Jeremy Corbyn, 17% Don’t know
Who do you think performed best during the section of the debate on Brexit?
63% Boris Johnson, 27% Jeremy Corbyn, 10% Don’t know
Who do you think performed best during the section of the debate on NHS?
38% Boris Johnson, 54% Jeremy Corbyn, 8% Don’t know
Who do you think performed best during the section of the debate on Government spending?
50% Boris Johnson, 35% Jeremy Corbyn, 15% Don’t know
Who do you think performed best during the section of the debate on other issues?
39% Boris Johnson, 46% Jeremy Corbyn, 15% Don’t know
Thinking now about the debate, do you think it was right to have two leaders taking part or would it have been better with more leaders?
60% Right to have two leaders taking part, 30%
Would have been better with more leaders 9% Don't mind either way, 1% Don't know
Mr Corbyn dodged questions several times on how he would campaign in a second referendum.
He claims he wants to renegotiate a new deal with Brussels in just three months and put it back to the people for another vote.
The leftie boss said: "We will negotiate an agreement and we will put that alongside remain in a referendum.
"I will carry out that referendum, it will be a genuine choice. And we will carry it out."
TV CLASH
Hosted by news presenter Julie Etchingham, last night's head-to-head marks the first time since 2015 that both the Labour and Conservative party leaders have taken part in a TV debate.
It's telling on how well leaders perform in these kinds of debates - which can make or break their popularity with voters.
At the last election in 2017, then-Prime Minister Theresa May opted out of the live TV discussion.
ITV also plans to hold a multi-party debate before the election on December 12.
In 2010, the televised debates helped send then-Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg’s popularity soaring as he charmed viewers.
Gordon Brown and David Cameron spent the election campaign saying “I agree with Nick” as they tried to get in on his popularity.
Theresa May’s ill-fated 2017 election campaign was dealt a blow after she refused to take part in the leadership debates.
She sent Amber Rudd to stand in for her. But the move bombed with voters and fuelled criticisms that she was out of touch.
The five funniest moments from Tuesday's ITV leaders' debate
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Jeremy Corbyn prepares for The ITV Debate with caesar salad and a cup of tea
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