The fight for the keys to Number 10 is hotting up as the first of three live TV debates got underway.

Five of the remaining Tory leadership hopefuls tonight took part in a Q&A session hosted by Channel 4 in which they set out their vision if they were to become Prime Minister.

The Conservative Party leadership debate was hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy in front of a studio audience.

Floating voters posed a series of questions ranging from how candidates seek to restore trust in politics, protect the environment and tackle the cost of living crisis.

After making it through the second round of voting, Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat earned his place on the podium, alongside fellow contenders Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss and Kemi Badenoch

Mr Tugendhat, who has fewest backers of the remaining candidates, used his opening gambit to call for a "clean break from Boris".

"Trust in our politics has been collapsing and trust in our party has been collapsing," he explained

"Trust in our politics has been collapsing and trust in our party has been collapsing,"

"What I've been demonstrating over the last few years, I'm willing to fight and call out friends as well as enemies.

"I've been holding a mirror to many of our actions and asking those in our party, those in our leadership, is this what the public really expect?"

His response to the opening remark was soon compared to Dumbledore’s famous quote, “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends”, before he awarded Neville Longbottom with 10 points for Gryffindor in Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone.

His response to host Mr Guru-Murthy's questions as to whether Boris Johnson was an honest man, drew a round of applause from the audience after he simply shook his head.

Mr Tugendhat said the party needed a "clean start and a clean face", adding "trust really matters".

Before the show he told Sky News the contest was not an opportunity to snipe opponents, saying it "isn't a knife fight in a phone box, it's about governing the UK".

But during the debate he accused the former Chancellor Rishi Sunak of only agreeing to a National Insurance rise because the Prime Minister asked for it, drawing another round of applause from the audience.

"I asked why on Earth this was going to be necessary, you told me, 'Because the boss wanted it'" he said.

However, in another candid interaction he was forced to clarify one of his remarks while paying home homage to the NHS.

Mr Tugendhat thanked an audience member for her contribution to the service, explaining "You've brought many of my friends back to life and for that I will be eternally grateful.

"It's been an extraordinarily important moment for me. "

He continued: "You've also given me two children, so I'm also grateful for that." Before immediately clarifying "not you personally of course".

Setting out his case for the top job at the conclusion of the show he adde: "This evening is not about us it about you, your country and your Prime Minister.

"The country is going through a crisis at home and challenges abroad.

"We know people are asking the right questions... we need a clean start we all know that. But some of us have the answer.

"I have a track record, I have led on operations and I have led in Parliament and now I would like to lead the United Kingdom.

After the show North Thanet MP Roger Gales, a vocal critic of Boris Johnson, praised Mr Tugendhat's performance but said he was still on the fence as to who was getting his backing.

"I have still not declared for any candidate but on tonight’s performance PennyMordaunt comes out ahead with Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat as strong challengers.

"Other candidates simply do not satisfy the ‘fresh start’ and integrity test."

There will be a second debate on ITV on Sunday, followed by a third and final moot on Sky News on Tuesday to be hosted by Kay Burley.

The result of the third ballot on Monday will determine which four of the remaining five goes through to that debate.

Next week, a contender will then be eliminated each day until only two remain who will then go forward to a postal ballot of party members.

The next Tory leader and Prime Minister will be announced on September 5.