The majority of the Sky News YouGov voters panel thought Sir Keir Starmer performed better than Rishi Sunak in the Grimsby leaders’ event.
But a large number of our panel, made up of undecided voters, were also unimpressed with both leaders.
When asked whether the leaders’ performances had impacted their voting intentions, our panel was split.
One voter said Sir Keir Starmer had “energy” and was “more relatable”, while another likened him to the former Conservative prime minister John Major, “boring, but probably the man we need right now”.
When considering Rishi Sunak, one panellist said he sounded “defeated”, but another said: ” I didn’t really agree with everything Rishi Sunak said, but he did seem to answer more questions.”
Our unique voters panel, produced by pollster YouGov, represents over 40 different seats, and a range of different political views.
Giving rapid reaction to the leaders’ event, we asked people which moments stood out.
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Immigration was mentioned more than once.
One voter said: “I found it interesting how Rishi Sunak was adamant that he was helping with immigration and was a Brexiteer, and actually immigration has gone up.”
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Sir Keir’s answer when pushed about his previous support for Jeremy Corbyn also came up. “He knew that they were going to lose the last election and nevertheless still endorsed Jeremy Corbyn,” one panellist told us.
We asked our voters panel for the three words they associate with both leaders.
For the prime minister, ‘calm’ and ‘direct’ are there, but tiny compared to some of the more common terms; ‘apologetic’, ‘untrustworthy’ and ‘defensive’.
As for Sir Keir, it’s more mixed.
People described him as ‘confident’ and ‘honest’, but also ‘evasive’ and ‘boring’.
Well for some it has. One said: “I think for me it really changed my opinion on sort of Keir Starmer and the Labour Party’s stances.”
While another is now leaning towards the Tories “mainly because of the comment that was made by Rishi Sunak about a vote for Nigel Farage is in effect going to put Starmer into number 10”.
Many though are still undecided, summed up perhaps by this voter: “Twenty two days to go. Oh, dear me, I’m fed up with it already. And I’m sure a lot of people are, so let’s just see.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Timesthe properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
TV presenter Katie Piper has revealed her decision to get an artificial eye, 16 years after an acid attack that left her with life-changing injuries and partial blindness.
The Loose Women panellist, 41, is an advocate for those with burns and disfigurement injuries.
She shared a video of her being fitted with the prosthetic on Instagram.
Piper said: “After many years battling with my eye health, I’ve reached the end of the road somewhat, and the decision has been made to try a prosthetic eye shell.
“This marks the start of a journey to have an artificial eye, with an incredible medical team behind me.
“As always I’m incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS and private health care system for their talent and kindness.
“I will share my journey, I’m hopeful and nervous about being able to tolerate it and would love to hear from any of you in the comments if you’ve been on this journey or have any advice.”
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Commenting on the post, presenter Lisa Snowdon said Piper was a “warrior” and a “true inspiration”.
Piper has undergone hundreds of operations after suffering an acid attack arranged by her ex-boyfriend in March 2008.
She gave up her right to anonymity and made a documentary in 2009 called Katie: My Beautiful Face.
Piper also founded the Katie Piper Foundation which supports survivors of life-changing burns and scars, and has received an honorary doctorate from the Royal College of Surgeons to mark her ground-breaking work.
She was made an OBE in 2021 for her services to charity and burn victims.