‘I wouldn’t buy a used car from either': readers on the ITV election debate

‘This is not a debate, it is a circus’

The current Labour stance on Brexit is an attempt to reconcile Corbyn’s Leave persuasion with the Remain stance of the rest of the party. It is a desperate stitch up, which fools nobody. Bojo will spend the first half hour of the show repeating his will of the people mantra ad nauseam, to which Corbyn has no effective reply. This is not a debate, it is a circus. Terry Potter

‘Terrible from Johnson. Serious doesn’t suit him’

Terrible from Johnson. Serious doesn’t suit him. You can’t play a clown all your life going for jokes and being incapable of any emotion but irony and then play serious prime minister. MightyBuccaneer

‘There is only one adult in this debate and it is Corbyn’

Getting laughed at for making a comment about the truth is about as low as it gets, surely?

Bluster, blather, nastiness, more lies, and attempts to deflect. He’s not so ‘impressive’ without his braying mob of Tories behind him in the HoC.

There’s only one adult in this debate, and it’s Corbyn. The other is a child that got away with everything he did as a child, never had to take responsibility for anything in his life, and has continued that abject trajectory as an adult. Johnson will say anything and do everything to further his own career. bristolmedica

‘Johnson living down to expectations’

Only been watching for the last 10 minutes but already Johnson living down to expectations. Not answering questions, repeating oft used lies and attacking Corbyn rather than talking about Tory policy, and droning on and on while being asked to stop by a rather weak Julie Etchingham although, to be fair, controlling Johnson on full waffle mode is probably an impossible task. ID6314850

‘After this the voting public will be none the wiser’

This format of asking two provocative questions at a time, one for Corbyn and one for Johnson on any given subject, gives Johnson enormous latitude for dodging his own questions by immediately latching on to the point of the corresponding questions against Corbyn. Johnson doesn’t even have to try answering. Bad format, this, if the object is to get the voting public informed about both the candidates’ opinions/plans on these topics. After this, the voting public will be none the wiser about the key issues (Brexit, austerity, NHS). alemontree

‘I wouldn’t buy a used car from either of them’

Halfway through the debate, and Johnson is getting the better of it. In terms of personal presence, intellect, oratorical flair and debating ability, Corbyn isn’t in the same class. Both of them are being evasive: Corbyn won’t say which side of the leave/remain debate he’ll take in a possible future referendum; Johnson won’t answer the question about truth and personal integrity. Personally, I wouldn’t buy a used car from either of them; but Johnson is winning the game tonight. Polemarchus

‘Two minutes to reply is not enough – we’re getting peanuts’

So far utter crap. Johnson still not answering questions on HIS integrity but banging on the same stupid Brexit question at Corbyn and two minutes to reply to a question is not enough. We’re getting peanuts. hacklesup

‘Johnson’s track record haunts him’

What’s clear is that Johnson is attacking Corbyn personally, while Corbyn won’t be drawn into sink so low as to make a personal attack on Johnson. The unspoken words about personal integrity nevertheless echoed in the laughter of the audience when Johnson asked about telling the truth. His track record haunts him, and he continues to try to brazen it out – but everyone knows about the border down the Irish sea, wasting our money on garden bridges in the sky, building 40 hospitals, etc. desnol

‘I doubt whether it will make the slightest difference’

Anyone genuinely impartial could not fail to see Johnson’s constant deflection, bluster and insults, by comparison Corbyn’s performance was far, far better, but I doubt whether it will make the slightest difference. rosybeeme

‘Corbyn doesn’t do himself any favours’

Corbyn doesn’t do himself any favours. Own your stance, say you want to agree a deal, give the public a referendum and remain neutral as you want to be the PM of everyone, not a subsection of the population. Dodging the question makes you look like you have something to hide. rmw239

‘This is so depressing’

This is so depressing. Two Brexiters, one overt and one covert, debating the colour of Brexit unicorns. Corbyn comes across as shifty and can’t bring himself to say that EU membership is in the UK’s national interest. nonanon1

‘I’m somewhat concerned that more people may be distracted by Corbyn’s glasses appearing to be cockeyed’

Corbyn gives a good first answer on Brexit (seven years to negotiate the US trade deal) but I’m somewhat concerned that more people may be distracted by his glasses appearing to be cockeyed.

Corbyn’s second Brexit answer points out that Johnson first voted against May’s deal (twice), but he fails to point out the part where Johnson’s revision includes a border down the Irish Sea. He also dodges the question Johnson obsesses about as to whether Corbyn will campaign on either side of the people’s vote, for no reason I can see. Corbyn has already said he wouldn’t campaign either way, that he’d let the deal speak for itself.

Indeed, even when Johnson asks him face-to-face, he pivots back to the NHS. Which is all well and good, but Corbyn HAS a simple response … why doesn’t he use it?? Jessica Roth