But Ethan Ilzetzki, associate professor of economics at the London School of Economics, thinks the leadership debate remains "disconnected" from the nature and scale of the economic challenges: A decade-long stagnation in productivity levels won't be easily solved.

"None of them have a true plan except for cutting taxes," he told CNN Business.

*

"It is all about the level of taxes, the size of government. These are important questions... [but] there is no easy fix in terms of slashing taxes to the deep problems we have here," he said.

While some of the difficulties ailing the world's fifth largest economy will largely be beyond either Sunak or Truss' control, they have made bold promises to Britons. Can they deliver on them?

But Ethan Ilzetzki, associate professor of economics at the London School of Economics, thinks the leadership debate remains "disconnected" from the nature and scale of the economic challenges: A decade-long stagnation in productivity levels won't be easily solved.

"None of them have a true plan except for cutting taxes," he told CNN Business.

*

"It is all about the level of taxes, the size of government. These are important questions... [but] there is no easy fix in terms of slashing taxes to the deep problems we have here," he said.

While some of the difficulties ailing the world's fifth largest economy will largely be beyond either Sunak or Truss' control, they have made bold promises to Britons. Can they deliver on them?