Liz Truss said the UK is going through the worst economic crisis in a generation and that it is now time for ‘bold action’ and not for ‘business-as-usual’.
The Tory leadership candidate has repeatedly said she will implement swift tax cuts and reverse the increase in national insurance if she is named leader of the Tory. Conservative Party and prime minister.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that a growing economy is needed to finance public services and tackle problems such as the mass NHS disadvantage.
Ms Truss also hit back at critics who have suggested her plans are unrealistic, saying she was “honest” about the situation.
Asked if she feels comfortable being a frontrunner, Ms Truss said: ‘What I want to see is I want to see a country where everyone can succeed, regardless of their background.
‘That’s what I’m campaigning for today. I don’t take anything for granted. I want the support of conservative members. I am someone who campaigns as a conservative and will rule as a conservative.’
Lizz Truss said now is not the time for ‘business as usual’ as she campaigns in Kent today
The Tory leadership candidate is considered the favorite, but she said she doesn’t take anything for granted
Ms Truss, speaking to reporters during a campaign visit to Kent today, said she was “very clear” about the need to cut that backlog after Sunak unveiled a series of plans to tackle the problem.
“I am very clear that we need to close the backlog of the NHS and I would appoint a strong health secretary to make it happen,” she said.
“But to pay for those public services, we need a growing economy. That is so important that we unleash those opportunities after Brexit. We are scrapping those pointless EU regulations. And we’re also cutting taxes to make sure we get people to start businesses and help the economy grow.”
Asked about Mr Sunak’s visit to Margaret Thatcher’s birthplace, Grantham, earlier on Saturday and whether she is a Thatcherite, Ms Truss said: ‘I think we need to move on. You know, we are in the 2020s. We are facing a global economic crisis.
“And what we need now is bold action. That is why I would make sure that people who work hard are rewarded, I would make sure that companies that have incentives to invest in Britain so that we can get the jobs and growth we need to succeed in the next election and to help Britain move forward in the future.’
The foreign minister has said she will introduce rapid tax cuts to stimulate the economy
Tory leadership contender Rishi Sunak (pictured with his family) lashed out at Liz Truss over her past stance as Remainer during a speech in Grantham, Thatcher’s hometown
Rishi Sunak lashed out at Liz Truss today for her previous stance as Remainer and her tax policy.
In a speech, the former chancellor also pledged plans to tackle the backlogs of the NHS, driven in part by a so-called ‘vaccine style’ task force, before pledging to ‘make Brexit happen’.
“If we are to deliver on the Brexit promise, we need someone who understands Brexit, believes in Brexit and votes for Brexit,” he cheered at a campaign event.
Mr Sunak also said in a speech that was interrupted by frequent applause and repeated warnings about inflation: ‘We must tell the truth about the cost of living’.
Rising inflation is the enemy that makes everyone poorer and puts your homes and savings at risk. And we have to tell the truth about taxes.’
“I’m not going to put money back in your pocket, knowing that rising inflation will just blow it right back out.”
Ms Truss defended herself against criticism from Rishi Sunak, saying she is ‘very honest about the situation’
Liz Truss hit back at criticism from former Chancellor Rishi Sunak that it would be wrong to increase government borrowing to fund tax cuts.
Tax cuts have become a key dividing line in the campaign, with Tory leaders’ rival Mr Sunak emphasizing his own economic credentials and attacking Ms Truss’ proposals.
“I think it’s wrong to take money from people we don’t need when people across the country are struggling with the cost of living,” the foreign minister said.
“We know the fuel bill is higher. We know the food bill is higher. And what my changes would do is help people with the cost of living, but also stimulate the growth of the economy, which will lead to higher tax revenues so that we can repay that debt.”
She added: ‘I am very honest about the situation. We are facing the biggest economic crisis we have had in a generation and now is not the time for business-as-usual.”
The Tory leadership emphasized that she is “a positive campaigner” and “a person who gets things done” in politics.
She said, ‘I’m somebody, in every government job I’ve done, whether it’s in the State Department, whether it’s in commerce, I’ve done things.
“I pushed through the Northern Ireland Protocol Act. I’ve delivered trade deals that people said weren’t possible.
And I resisted Vladimir Putin after his horrific invasion of Ukraine. I am someone who gets things done. I talk to Conservative party members about that and conduct a positive campaign.’