In the heated first televised debate of the election campaign, Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer clashed over immigration, tax increases and the state of the British National Health Service (NHS).

In the decisive dispute one month before election day, the two politicians repeatedly clashed and engaged in heated arguments.

In his opening speech to voters in the ITV debate on Tuesday night, the Prime Minister claimed Labour would “plunder” pension funds and raise taxes on workers.

Sir Keir countered by questioning the timing of the July 4 vote, arguing that Mr Sunak had only called a summer election because he “knows” that inflation and energy prices would be worse in the winter.

Both heads of state tried to portray the other as a supporter of higher taxes for the population.

The Labour leader said Mr Sunak had increased the burden 25 times, adding: “He is the British expert on tax increases. They are at their highest level in 70 years.”

But Mr Sunak responded that the election was “about the future” and insisted he would continue to cut taxes while Labour would raise them.

The Prime Minister reiterated the Conservatives’ analysis that Labour plans to increase the tax burden on individual households by over £2,000, a claim denied by the opposition.

Sir Keir called the claim “nonsense” and said wealthy Mr Sunak did not understand the plight of struggling families.

He said of his own childhood: “I know the fear when the postman comes with a bill. How much will the bill be and can I pay it?

“I don’t think the Prime Minister fully understands the situation you and other people are in.”

Politicians also tried to draw clear dividing lines between their parties regarding the solution to the small boat crisis.

Sir Keir accused Mr Sunak of being “the most liberal Prime Minister we have ever had on immigration”.

When asked by a viewer why either leader could be trusted to take action against illegal immigrants, Sunak said that “deportation flights to Rwanda would start in July, but only if I am your Prime Minister.”

“If we stick to our plan, illegal immigrants will land on these planes – with Labour they will land on our streets.”

Sir Keir replied: “Migration numbers are at a record high of 685,000. Except in the last year or two, the numbers have never been this high.” The Prime Minister says they are too high.

“Who’s in charge? He’s in charge. On immigration, he’s the most liberal prime minister we’ve ever had.”

He added that Mr Sunak had “completely failed” in his promise to prevent small boats from crossing the Channel.

The Conservative Party leader indicated that he would be willing to lead Britain out of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), saying membership of a “foreign court” must not endanger Britain’s security.

Sir Keir rejected the plan, arguing that as prime minister he would want Britain to be “respected” on the world stage.

The first laughter – and groans – from the audience came during the questioning about the NHS.

When the Tory leader asked Sir Keir to say how he would resolve the long-running dispute with junior doctors, he was applauded for saying he would not offer the strikers a 35 percent pay rise.

But Sir Keir drew laughter from the audience when he ridiculed the Prime Minister for claiming that NHS waiting lists would be reduced.

He said, “It was 7.2 million, now it’s 7.5 million. He says it’s going down, and this is the guy who says he’s good at math.”

Mr Sunak then blamed industrial action, which provoked groans from the ITV audience.

“The blame lies with someone else,” said Sir Keir.

In his first statement, Sunak said: “Apart from raising taxes and raiding your pensions, nobody knows what Labour would actually do.”

“But you know what I would do? I would cut your taxes, protect your pensions and reduce immigration.”

Sir Keir said: “This election is about a choice. Either move on from the chaos and division we have seen over the last 14 years, or turn the tide and start building again with Labour.”

“I have ambitious goals for our country. And I have a practical plan to achieve those goals.”

Given the Tories’ dismal poll ratings, Sunak hopes to make a difference. Recent analysis by YouGov suggests that the party is heading for an election defeat.

According to a snap poll, Mr Sunak emerged victorious in the public debate, but only narrowly.

According to the YouGov poll, 51 percent of viewers thought the prime minister, who is 20 points behind Labour in national polls, had done better, compared to 49 percent for Sir Keir.