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.
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 Northumbria’s police and crime commissioner and the city council leader this morning, ahead of a speech outlining Labour’s plan to fight the next election:
Sir Keir Starmer walks with Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness (L) and Newcastle City Council leader Nick Kemp across the Millennium Bridge in Newcastle
(Getty Images)
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 09:43
Eustice on why he is backing ‘good communicator’ Shapps
George Eustice, the environment secretary, has already said he is backing Grant Shapps for leader.
He explains why to Sky News, saying Mr Shapps has Cabinet experience, is a “very good communicator” and calling him a “good campaigner”.
“He has got all of the strengths and experience we need at this particular time,” the environment sectretary said.
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 09:36
Shapps releases 13-second campaign clip
And now we’ve got a campaign video from Grant Shapps. It’s pretty different from some of the other lengthier ones – such as Liz Truss’ – at just 13 seconds long.
His pitch is: “I can plan, I can communicate, I can deliver, I can campaign, I can help you win your seat.”
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 09:27
Key points from Truss campaign clip
Liz Truss has said she is a Tory leadership candidate who can “drive change and get things done”.
She said she would be committed to “core Conservative principles” as prime minister, which she lists as:
- Low taxes
- Firm grip on spending
- Growing economy
- “Giving people the opportunity to achieve anything they want to achieve, regardless of their background”
The foreign secretary’s campaign clip – which showed her meeting officials from around the world – said the UK needed a new PM with experience who can “hit the ground running from day one”
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 09:09
Former Remainer Tugendhat wants to ‘deliver Brexit benefits’
Tory leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat has said Britain should “take advantage” of Brexit and tear up EU regulations to do new trade deals.
“There are any number of different policies and regulations that are … fixed in Brussels that can now be fixed in Westminster, that can now be changed, and we need to take advantage of that,” he told the Today programme.
“Frankly, we just haven’t yet done it.”
“Boris has quite rightly got Brexit done. What we now need to do is deliver the benefits,” the former Remainer added.
He listed changing policies in the Treasury, liberating regulatory controls, changing the way investment is done around the country and opening up the economy and trade agreements.
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 09:04
‘Liz for Leader’ posts campaign video
Liz Truss has posted her campaign video for Tory leader, having now changed her Twitter name to “Liz for Leader”:
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 09:02
Zahawi says infamous all-male charity dinner was ‘incredibly uncomfortable’
Nadhim Zahawi said an infamous all-male charity fundraising dinner had made him feel “incredibly uncomfortable”.
The Tory leadership candidate was asked about attending the event in 2018, when hostesses were reportedly groped by attendees, leading to a scandal which saw the charity club break up.
He told Sky News: “Young ladies, hostesses, came round each table, which made me feel incredibly uncomfortable, which is why I left the dinner and went home.
“I think, on reflection, including the charity itself, those all-male dinners are wrong. I think actually one of the things I’m passionate about is that we treat people properly, including people who are there to serve us, whether in government or elsewhere.”
He also said it was a “deeply embarrassing” but “genuine mistake” to claim expenses in 2013 for heating stables for his horses.
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 08:46
Porn scandal MP says Pincher should ‘consider position’
Neil Parish, the MP who resigned after being caught watching porn in parliament, has said Chris Pincher should “consider his position” amid the sexual misconduct allegations:
Zoe Tidman11 July 2022 08:36
Read More:Boris Johnson – live: Liz Truss launches Tory leadership bid with promise to cut taxes
2022-07-11 08:43:04
