At times, viewers of the BBC television debate may have wondered if the two candidates actually belong to the same party.

The former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, and the current Secretary of State, Liz Truss, were so far apart on questions of financial and economic policy in particular that it was difficult to imagine the two at the cabinet table, which they shared until a few weeks ago.

Jochen Buchsteiner

Political correspondent in London.

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Truss wants to boost growth and lower taxes.

Sunak wants to fight inflation and budget.

Truss accuses Sunak of managing the deadlock, not taking risks, in short: not having enough "courage", which in Britain amounts to a dangerous attack.

Sunak, in turn, accuses Truss of being "neither moral nor conservative".

You run politics with the credit card, lead "millions into misery" and pass the costs on to the children and grandchildren - all for a "quick sugar rush".

Other topics that evening were less controversial in terms of content, but got down to business personally.

Both agree that China is a threat that should not be underestimated, but claim that the other only realized this much too late.

Sunak never tires of telling Truss that she voted against leaving the European Union in 2016, in an attempt to undermine her image as a no-nonsense Brexit advocate.

Truss, on the other hand, is happy when Sunak is asked about his wealth.

She then hints that the former private student is less able to understand the needs of ordinary people, while she had already experienced at the state school in Leeds how unfairly chances were distributed.

First generously, then snippy she reacted,

when the language came to his tailor-made suit, which is said to have cost the equivalent of more than 4000 euros.

He doesn't have to learn anything more about dressing, said Truss, who allegedly wears earrings for six euros.

Truss is ahead in polls

Nevertheless, Sunak always manages to turn the subject of his wealth – he was not only a successful banker, but is married to an Indian billionaire's daughter – in his favor.

He received the greatest applause of the evening as he recounted his family's immigration story of ambition and hard work.

Growing up in a leftist family of professors, Truss' past is more elusive.

A poll by Yougov claims to have found that the voters – i.e. the members of the Conservative Party – care more about the personal circumstances of the candidates than the political differences.

Virtues such as honesty and strength of character are in demand, but also leadership, intellect and the gift of speech.

Most observers conclude that Sunak brings more qualities to the post of prime minister, especially technical and rhetorical.

That was also the view of the Tory faction, which put him at number one on the list last week.

But at the base of the party, which will decide the duel in the next few weeks, he is suddenly in the position of the loser.

Polls see Truss consistently and clearly ahead.

This may also have something to do with their tax cut promises, which are traditionally well received at the grassroots level and are currently at the top of the list of priorities for members.

Meanwhile, the man whose withdrawal made the selection of candidates possible and necessary has become an unexpected rival.

More than ten thousand Tory members have already signed a petition calling for Boris Johnson to be the third candidate on the ballot.

The protest's chances of success are considered slim, but it adds even more spice to an already somewhat bland competition.