The two Conservative candidates vying to become the next head of government of the United Kingdom clashed on Wednesday August 31 for the 12th and last time before the members of the party called upon to decide between them.
Foreign Minister Liz Truss is favored by pollsters to replace outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson, facing his rival Rishi Sunak.
Postal and online voting for some 200,000 party members, which began earlier this month, ends on Friday.
The winner will be announced next Monday and will take up duty in Downing Street the following day.
Liz Truss said if elected she will "
focus on energy prices for consumers and how to revive the UK economy
".
She has pledged to cut taxes to spur growth, but has yet to say how she will help Britons cope with rising bills this winter, when millions are at risk of not to be able to pay their heating costs, in particular.
Context of deteriorating economy
Former finance minister Rishi Sunak said controlling inflation would be his top priority, saying Liz Truss's tax cut plans were too bold.
Whoever wins the consultation could struggle to bring the Tories together as divisions have been deepened by the bitter power struggle.
Rishi Sunak adopted a more conciliatory tone towards Liz Truss at Wednesday's meeting, which was held in front of thousands of Conservative Party members gathered in London's Wembley Arena.
Britain is due to hold a general election no later than January 2025, but it could be brought forward.
According to recent polls, the Conservatives should have a hard time holding on to power.
The Labor Party, the main opposition party, has a double-digit lead over the Conservatives in opinion polls, in a context of deteriorating economy.
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/2Z7WYIAMLVDBPCUXOBEW37AV2U.jpg)
