UK rivals face off for final time ahead of poll

LONDON, Dec 7 (AFP) - The two men vying to be British prime minister in next week's election exchanged trademark blows Friday over the familiar faultlines of Brexit and healthcare in the final head-tohead TV debate of the month- old campaign.

In a lacklustre hour-long battle largely devoid of standout moments, Prime Minister Boris Johnson repeatedly criticised Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's failure to say if he supports Britain leaving the EU while talking up his agenda.

“We have a fantastic plan to get Brexit done,” Johnson said, referring to a divorce deal he finalised with EU leaders in October.

“How can you get... a new deal from Brussels for Brexit, if you don't actually believe in it?” he added, referring to Corbyn's vow to remain neutral in a second EU referendum he wants to hold within six months.

The Labour leader is proposing to negotiate a softer form of Brexit to put up against remaining in the bloc in the vote.

He said Johnson's vow to strike trade deals with both the European Union and the United States next year were unrealistic, and that Britain's cherished national health service (NHS) was under threat.

“What he will do is walk out of a relationship with the EU into a relationship with nobody,” Corbyn said.

Corbyn has spent the campaign lagging in the polls and was in need of a breakthrough moment, but often found himself on the defensive on Brexit and other issues.

A snap poll by YouGov found the debate, the second head-to-head between the pair, was a draw, but that those questioned found Corbyn more trustworthy.

“Given the Conservatives went into this debate in the lead, they will hope the lack of a knockout blow means they can maintain this until voting day,” said Chris Curtis, YouGov's Political Research Manager.