Thread by @JohnRentoul

Tough first Q: can you guarantee we will leave on 31 Oct? Hunt giving an honest answer

And Johnson is not

I’m far more likely to get us out, says Hunt

Hunt winning this exchange, asking Johnson if he’d resign if he didn’t get us out

I don’t think Hunt will get a cabinet job after all

Although on 2nd thoughts, he’d be dangerous if he had nothing to lose

Johnson pushing back, but his argument is essentially that he has to pretend the deadline is absolute

He couldn’t negotiate with the EU if it thought it could get rid of him by failing to do a deal, he says

Some needle, Johnson calling Hunt a “stickler for detail” as they trade GATT paragraph nos

Etchingham good at preventing the candidates talking over each other, one of Johnson's favoured tactics

"Totally defeatist not to set a hard deadline because I don't want to give the EU any incentive to give us the deal we want": Johnson

Which is not an answer to the Q: parliament will not allow a no-deal Brexit, so doesn't that mean an election?

"Being PM means telling people what they need to hear – you are peddling optimism": Hunt. Johnson happily agrees

Top moment: Johnson corrects Hunt's "blood, toil, tears" Churchill quotation

Johnson said he resigned over withdrawal agreement. Hunt interrupts to ask if he voted for it: "I know you don't like answering questions"

"That's the spirit Jeremy!" Johnson to Hunt, as they both raise their hands to say they're confident we will leave EU by 31 Oct

Half time: much livelier & substantive than I expected; Hunt having the better of rapier debating points, but Johnson quite agile for a bulldozer

Hunt misspoke when he accused Johnson of "peddling optimism", helping Johnson fluently dispose of his weakness – promising the impossible

Hunt brings up his robust response to Trump. Johnson waffles

"I think we'd all like to hear his answer": Hunt repeatedly presses Johnson on whether he would keep Darroch as US ambo

"I would not be a PM who courted popularity. I would do the right thing": Hunt

Q from audience: "Why are you prioritising tax cuts for the rich or businesses instead of helping me and my family?"

Johnson answers as if he hadn't launched his campaign with a tax cut for the rich

But then defends his plan to stop people being "dragged into higher rates of tax" – and Hunt says he doesn't agree with it

Etchingham actually furious with Johnson, trying to shut him up

"Enough. Finished": Etchingham moves on to quick-fire section

Should HS2 be abandoned: Johnson review waffle; Hunt no

Heathrow expansion: Johnson gravest reservations; Hunt yes
Hunt: "If you're going to be PM you've got to have an answer"

Support LGBT rights in N Ireland as voted by Commons today? Hunt yes; Johnson I think it's a matter for the people of N Ireland

Candidates asked what they admire about each other. Johnson: "I greatly admire his ability to change his mind and campaign for Brexit now"

Hunt: "I admire his ability to answer a question"

Hunt: "I love the optimism but unless you have the realism as well things start to go wrong"

Hunt closing statement: "I only make promises I can keep"

Johnson closing statement: "Now is the time to show that we believe in Britain"

Conclusion: Hunt doesn't have a plan for Brexit either, but he showed Johnson up as a slippery chancer who is heading for a fall

What I said independent.co.uk/voices/boris-j…