Liz Truss Last night she launched her leadership bid with a pledge to cut taxes and unite Conservatives in the red and blue walls.
The Minister of Foreign Affairslong brandishing its low-tax credentials, positioning itself as a traditional Tory candidate who can deliver on promises.
She will likely be accompanied on the ballot by the Home Secretary Come on Patelwho was still mulling over whether to walk or not last night – despite several public approvals from Tory MPs.
Miss Patel would fear the right-wing vote could be split, leaving the party in the final two without a hard Brexiteer.
In the Daily Telegraph, Miss Truss wrote: ‘Under my leadership, I would start cutting taxes from day one to take immediate action to help people deal with the cost of living.
Liz Truss launched her leadership bid last night with a pledge to cut taxes and unite conservatives in the red and blue walls
“It is not right to levy taxes now. I would reverse the National Insurance hike that came in in April, make sure we keep corporate tax competitive so we can attract business and investment to the UK, and put the Covid debt on a longer term basis.
“I will grow the private sector faster than the public sector, with a long-term plan to reduce the size of the state and the tax burden.” She added that her plan was “built on a clear and long-standing conservative philosophy.”
A Tory source said last night: ‘If the right united on the current numbers, the candidate would be in second place. Conversations and caucusing will only bring them so far. There is a real risk that they will freeze themselves out of the race.’
Miss Truss is on a ticket to keep Boris Johnson’s 2019 election coalition together by retaining key seats and bringing back disaffected voters.
Allies said the foreign minister’s cabinet experience could “get off the ground.”
“Now is not the time for someone who has not been tested,” a campaign source told the Daily Mail last night.
“Liz is the only one who has the combination of experience, conservative principles on the economy and can unite the Red and Blue Walls.” An ally added: “Liz keeps the 2019 Red and Blue Wall electoral coalition together, brings us back to proper conservative economic policies and has vast experience and track record of getting things done.
“She’s our best chance to turn things around for the next election.” Several MPs had already announced their support for Miss Truss before her campaign was formally launched, including Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey.
In a tweet, she said: “She helped lead the international response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, bringing about dozens of post-Brexit trade deals that people thought were impossible.”
Miss Patel was said to be getting “closer and closer” last night, but waited until today to make a final decision.
She will likely be joined on the ballot by Home Secretary Priti Patel, who was still mulling over whether she would run for office last night – despite several public approvals from Tory MPs
An ally said: “She’s got the numbers to hold out, and there’s evidence she has more than others on the right. It is now a matter of whether they will unite and support her to go all the way or split the vote to lead to a coronation.
“Many MPs encourage her to stand up, people know it has to be someone who is a committed Brexiteer who can actually unleash the benefits of Brexit and resolve the cost of living crisis.
“Just look at the Rwanda policy – now supported by almost every leader candidate, it shows that she is ready with innovative solutions to complex and controversial problems.”
Last night, the European Brexit-supporting Tories research group met to discuss how they could maximize their chances of getting one of their supporters into the final two of the match.
They fear that if an untested MP makes the final round of voting – like Suella Braverman – they could suffer the same fate as Andrea Leadsom and hand over the leadership to Rishi Sunak.
Forget Rishi’s jam tomorrow, Liz wants voter help now
Through Jason Groves Political Editor
For the next two weeks, the battle to succeed Boris Johnson will be about one thing: the race to sign 120 Conservative MPs.
In public, there will be high-profile rhetoric about cleaning up politics, along with glaring promises. But behind the scenes of Westminster is a game of pure realpolitik.
Under Tory leadership rules, the 358 Conservative MPs will cut a huge number of candidates down to just two by the time Parliament emerges for the summer on July 21. In simple terms, any candidate who can get 120 names is guaranteed a place in the final two.
Abundant promises, vacancies, arm-twisting, threats and even blackmail will be deployed as the top candidates vie for the support of peers. Lies will be told.
For the next two weeks, the battle to succeed Boris Johnson will revolve around one thing: the race to sign 120 Conservative MPs
The race already seems to have an early leader. As of last night, Rishi Sunak has the backing of 28 MPs, well ahead of Penny Mordaunt at 19 and Liz Truss at 12. The former chancellor is said to have enlisted one-time Sir Gavin Williamson to use his unique powers of persuasion in his case.
Sir Gavin previously played Theresa May and Boris Johnson, leading them to the finals of the last two leadership matches. In return, he hopes for what would be a third act in cabinet after he was eventually fired by both he helped win the top job.
The former chancellor’s early dominance means rivals will have to show they are best placed to stop him as the match enters its second stage – in which members of the Conservative Party make their pick. They will be aided and abetted by Boris Johnson’s allies who privately accuse Mr Sunak of “treason” for his role in the prime minister’s downfall.
Miss Truss said she would cancel his rise in National Insurance before running for office. Allies say it will offer a low-tax chancellor for whom reducing the tax burden has always seemed an issue tomorrow.
The race already seems to have an early leader. As of last night, Rishi Sunak has the support of 28 MPs, well ahead of Penny Mordaunt at 19 and Liz Truss at 12
“Rishi has completely ruined our economic strategy,” said an ally of the foreign minister. ‘Where does this idea come from that tax cuts would be inflationary but £37bn in giveaways won’t stop?’
Sajid Javid pledged yesterday to scrap the NI walk – a move that has raised eyebrows in Westminster, where he was said to have called for a bigger hike as health minister last year. Mr Sunak’s competition in the last two is expected to come from Ms Truss, Mr Javid, new Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, Commerce Secretary Penny Mordaunt and former Private Tom Tugendhat.
Of these, only Mr Zahawi and Ms Mordaunt joined Mr Sunak in their campaign for Brexit in 2016 – a factor likely to weigh heavily on MPs aware of the overwhelming support for Brexit among Tory members.
Both had a rough start to their campaigns. Zahawi, who has the support of some of the Tory machine, failed to impress some potential supporters by publicly praising the prime minister last week and then calling on him to resign the following day.
Sajid Javid vowed yesterday to scrap the NI walk – a move that raised eyebrows in Westminster, where he was said to have called for a bigger hike as health minister last year
Miss Mordaunt, with admirers across the party, found herself embroiled in a row over trans rights. Mr Tugendhat could be well placed if Tory MPs decide they need a change candidate. But his Remainer status is a handicap to victory.
There are other interesting candidates. Attorney General Suella Braverman has made a bold pitch to be the standard-bearer of the Tory Right. But she may have trouble attracting support. Equality Minister Kemi Badenoch delivered one of the most interesting pitches yet and could spark excitement among the influx of MPs in 2019. But her lack of experience is a hurdle.
Both Ms. Truss and Mr. Javid, on the other hand, have cabinet experience left. Miss Truss has broad support in the House of Representatives and the support of donors. Her campaign launch this week will be a pivotal moment in the race.
Team Sunak is, quite rightly, not complacent. Early favorites have been blown up before — as Mr Johnson found out in 2017.
And this is the most open competition in many years. It’s all to play for.