Voter 'loving' attention after debate question

Robert Blackstock, 73, says he is still unsure of who to back at the election

A man who asked Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer "are you two really the best we've got" during a BBC leaders' debate says he is "loving" the attention his remarks have received online.

Robert Blackstock, from Arnold, Nottinghamshire, was part of the crowd at the event, held at Nottingham Trent University on Wednesday.

He described the moment as "tremendous", adding: "It's something I've never experienced before."

Mr Blackstock said despite being a lifelong Tory voter, he was still unsure of who to back at the election, which is one a week away.

Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer went head to head during the debate at Nottingham Trent University

In response to his question, Conservative Party leader Mr Sunak pointed to his record during his 18-month premiership, while Mr Starmer said he would always put "country first, party second".

"I wasn't particularly happy with any of the answers that either of them gave last night," the 73-year-old retiree said.

"I've always had a conviction that you should exercise your democratic right and your constitutional right to vote.

"I've always considered that to be a privilege for me in our wonderful country.

"So I've always done that, and I've always known who I was going to vote for.

"This is the first time that I am really undecided as to what I'm going to do."

However, it was his question that prompted applause from other audience members.

"To be in amongst it all was tremendous," he said.

"When the debate had finished there were one or two in the audience who tapped me on the back of the shoulder and said 'that was really good'.

"I think that's good."

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