ishi Sunak has acknowledged that he is “catching up” to Liz Truss while seemingly claiming the sought-after underdog status of the Tory leadership race.
The 42-year-old hinted at the ramifications of his wife’s tax status when he appeared to suggest that a commentary claimed he “wouldn’t even have entered this competition” had she not announced that she had decided to pay UK tax on her. foreign earnings to be paid while he was chancellor in April.
as the Minister of Foreign Affairs continued to beat him in the polls, Mr Sunak’s weekend was marked by his promise to end “wakeful nonsense” and his supporters attributing his unpopularity to “latent racism” – a claim he is quick to dismiss as false. disputed.
In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Sunak also revealed his plan to NHS would include a temporary fine of £10 for patients not coming to a GP or outpatient appointment.
“If we have people who don’t show up and take those slots from people who need it, that’s not good,” he told the paper. “I’m all for a health care system that is free at the time of use, but not one that is free at the time of abuse.”
He added: “Yes, it means we have to do something brave and something different, but that’s what I do. I want to be a transformational prime minister.”
When such proposals have surfaced in the past, doctors have warned that a system of fines could create a new layer of bureaucracy that GP practices would struggle to cope with.
Meanwhile, Ms Truss downplayed claims she has a clear edge over Mr Sunak, even as her campaign was further bolstered by party heavyweight endorsements Tom Tugendhatinsisting it was a “very, very close race”, while shouting out her “support from all parts of the Conservative Party”.
Earlier on Saturday, in another effort to revive his faltering premiership, the former chancellor vowed to reduce the number of empty shops on Britain’s high streets and tackle graffiti and litter.
Sunak also pledged to expand police powers to deal with antisocial behavior in public areas.
As part of his plan to rejuvenate high streets, many of which have been destroyed by shuttered shops and dilapidated buildings, Mr Sunak would remove hurdles to quickly convert those properties into new businesses or cafes.
We should all be proud of our high streets, so I will also take a hard line against anti-social behaviour, graffiti and litter
He would allow local authorities to double the fine for litter and graffiti and consider lowering the damage threshold for offenders.
Mr Sunak would strengthen injunctions that allow the police to disperse people who behave antisocially, and expand the powers to apply to types of behavior rather than just a location.
He would also seek to reduce regulations surrounding farmers’ markets, have local authorities assess social value when considering the location of public services, and protect access to ATMs.
Mr Sunak said: “I want to reduce the number of empty stores by 2025 and ensure that they are converted into thriving local assets, supporting skills, local businesses, economies and job creation.
“They will be joined by vital public services – such as police stations and job centers.
“I will also support covered markets and farmers’ markets, making it as easy as possible for them to trade on our high streets and sell their fantastic products to the local people.
“We should all be proud of our high streets, so I will also be taking action against anti-social behaviour, graffiti and litter – through expanded police powers and increased fines.
“I’ve been clear that I have a plan to rebuild our economy; our shopping streets are a crucial part of that.”
Sunak and his rival in the race for No. 10 have faced calls from a group of the UK’s largest retailers to cut business rates.
The Retail Jobs Alliance – which includes Tesco, Greggs and Sainsbury’s – accused candidates last week of not prioritizing high streets as businesses are hammered by the so-called retail tax amid rising inflation.
CBI Director General Tony Danker has also called for an urgent reform of the corporate fee system.
As chancellor, Mr. Sunak provided corporate tax relief during the pandemic and oversaw a property tax review, but no radical reform followed.
Ms Truss has indicated that she would review business rates if she becomes Prime Minister.
A BMG Research poll of party believers for the i newspaper was the last to put Ms Truss ahead of Mr Sunak with a double-digit lead, a survey of Tory councilors saw the two contenders almost neck and neck.
Ms Truss was at 31% and Mr Sunak at 28% among 511 local conservative politicians polled by Savanta ComRes.