WITH the Tories on the ropes after the D-Day disaster, it fell to Penny Mordaunt to go into battle for No10 in last night’s TV debate.
Could the woman who wooed the nation with her sword-wielding skills at the Coronation cut Nigel Farage and Angela Rayner down to size?
In a word — yes.
Wearing her trademark armour of a blue power-suit and bouncy blowdry, she began by condemning the PM’s decision to leave the Normandy commemorations early.
But in politics — as in war — attack is often the best form of defence.
And she quickly turned her fire on Labour’s deputy leader Rayner for voting against the Trident nuclear deterrent.
Read More on Politics
Pointing her finger at the Red Queen standing to her right (and helpfully in a scarlet dress), Penny launched a volley of blistering attacks.
Clearly rattled, Rayner shook her head and clutched her podium.
She had no good answer on why she now claims to be for and not against nuclear subs.
Politicos have spent the week talking about the men.
Will Rishi Sunak or Sir Keir Starmer become PM?
Could Nigel Farage get elected and wipe out the Tories?
But in the end, it was a woman who grabbed centre stage and — in her own words — will “stand up and fight”.
A future leader perhaps?
Disunited manifesto
TOP union Unite refused to endorse Labour’s manifesto, sources say.
Officials are said to be angry over a refusal to grant new North Sea oil and gas licences.
They also claimed Sir Keir Starmer hadn’t met demands to ban fire-and-rehires that lower wages.
Grassroots left-wingers Momentum also hit out as there was no commitment over free school meals.
Labour chiefs agreed the manifesto at a meeting in London.