Boris Johnson – live: Liz Truss launches Tory leadership bid with promise to cut
Thatcher to Johnson: Prime ministerial resignations over the years
Liz Truss has launched her bid to become Conservative Party leader and prime minister – the 10th to do so – with a promise to cut taxes.
The foreign secretary announced her decision to run in the Tory leadership to replace Boris Johnson in an article in The Telegraph.
She wrote: “I will fight the election as a Conservative and govern as a Conservative.”
The senior Cabinet minister, who is widely expected to be a front-runner in the race to become the next PM, said she would reverse a controversial national insurance hike that had been brought in by her leadership rival, former chancellor Rishi Sunak.
She promised to “start cutting taxes from day one” to help with the cost of living crisis that has seen record prices for energy, food, and fuel, amid inflation soaring to 9.1 per cent – its highest rate in 40 years.
In her newspaper article, Ms Truss argued that “it isn’t right to be putting up taxes now” and, that as prime minister, she would take “immediate action” to assist with living costs.
Zahawi on how to fund tax cuts
Nadhim Zahawi has said he would force every Government department to cut running costs by 20 per cent to fund tax cuts.
The newly-appointed Chancellor told Sky News that he managed to reduce costs at the Department for Education by close to this amount.
Nadhim Zahawi is setting out his pitch for the next Tory leader (James Manning/PA)
(PA Wire)
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 10:49
Jenrick defends Sunak over US green card
Robert Jenrick has defended Rishi Sunak for previously holding a US green card, which would have allowed him permanent residence in the country.
The former housing secretary said he thought it was “quite refreshing” the UK could have a prime minister who has “lived and worked around the world”, mentioning how Mr Sunak spent time in California.
He added: “I think, in fact, he will be a very positive force for the UK, if he’s elected. I think you can imagine him quite quickly establishing himself as a major figure on the international political and financial stage.”
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 10:35
Former minister worried about ‘fantasy tax cuts’ promised by candidates
Former housing secretary Robert Jenrick has voiced concern about promises of “fantasy tax cuts” put forward by hopefuls in the Conservative Party leadership race.
Speaking to Times Radio, he said: “I think there’s a risk in a leadership contest of announcing tens of billions of pounds of unfunded tax cuts, much as though we would like to see those.
“At this moment in time, the credibility of the Conservative Party is being tested – let’s be honest with ourselves – and what the public wants to see now is professionalism, seriousness of purpose and a proper plan as to how we’re going to shepherd the economy and their households through the months ahead.”
He added: “Announcing fantasy tax cuts to help get through a leadership election, I think, is unwise.”
Former housing secretary Robert Jenrick is worried about ‘unfunded tax cuts’ being promised’ (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
(PA Archive)
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 10:17
Tugendhat pitches himself as candidate with ‘real world’ experience
Tom Tugendhat has said he brings “real world” experience to his Tory leadership bid.
“It’s from Afghanistan and Iraq, where I served in the military, and it’s from around the world where I’ve worked in different ways,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today show.,
“What I’m bringing here is, of course, I’m bringing the experience of foreign affairs but, as you know, we’ve been warning about the war in Ukraine and the threat of Russia since before 2018.
“What I’m bringing here is the experience of wider diplomatic and military work, but, of course, also the experience of actually having run organisations in some of the hardest places in the world.”
Tom Tugendhat says he offers ‘real world’ experience
(PA)
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 09:58
‘Thanks Grant, I think you probably can help me win my seat’
A Labour MP replies to Grant Shapps’ video:
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 09:52
Starmer in Newcastle
Sir Keir Starmer is up in Newcastle today.
He met…
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