Johnson bested Corbyn in final UK election debate

The YouGov poll said that Johnson appeared to have thwarted Corbyn's bid to deliver a knockout blow in the face of surveys indicating that the incumbent's Conservative Party would win an absolute majority in the election.

London: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson got the better of opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in their second and final debate ahead of the December 12 general election, according to 52 percent of viewers responding to a snap poll.

The YouGov poll said that Johnson appeared to have thwarted Corbyn's bid to deliver a knockout blow in the face of surveys indicating that the incumbent's Conservative Party would win an absolute majority in the election.

The main themes of Friday's debate were Brexit and the need for investment in public services.

Vowing again to "get Brexit done", Johnson attacked Corbyn's proposal for a second referendum giving voters the chance to choose between a new, Labour-negotiated withdrawal agreement with the European Union and remaining in the bloc.

Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a head to head live Election Debate at the BBC TV studios in Maidstone, England, on Friday.

While Johnson's Conservatives were overwhelmingly pro-Brexit, Labour voters remained divided and Corbyn has sought to accommodate those opposing views insisting that he would remain neutral if there was a second referendum.

"We have a fantastic plan to get Brexit done," Johnson said of the accord he reached with EU leaders in October, though Parliament declined to ratify the deal.

Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, left, shakes hands with Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, centre, with debate moderator TV presenter Nick Robinson, right, during a head to head live Election Debate at the BBC TV studios in Maidstone, England, on Friday.

"The people want to turn the page," the Prime Minister said asserting that only a Conservative government can unleash the potential of this country.

If the Conservatives secure an absolute majority, Johnson pledges to take the UK out of the EU no later than January 31, 2020, and to hammer out a new trading arrangement with the bloc before the start of 2021.

Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, left, and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, centre, during a head to head live Election Debate at the BBC TV studios in Maidstone, England, on Friday.

In response, Corbyn said that Johnson's approach would lead only to years of painful negotiations and broken promises.

"What he will do is walk out of a relationship with the EU into a relationship with nobody," the Labour leader said.

"We have ample time to get on and build a new free trade partnership, not just with the EU but with countries around the world," Johnson said.

Labour's platform calls for boosting public investment in the UK to levels last seen in the 1970s to be financed by increasing taxes on the wealthy and big corporations.

Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, left, and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during a head to head live Election Debate at the BBC TV studios in Maidstone, England, on Friday.

"There are now four million children living in poverty in our country," Corbyn said.

Johnson said that he would make massive investments in healthcare and education.

To afford that spending, he said the UK needs a solid economy that will only be achievable if Brexit is completed.