If she is elected Tory leader tomorrow, Liz Truss has pledged to take “urgent” steps to assist Britons with their energy expenses.
The Foreign Secretary said that her potential new administration will outline its plans within a week, while acknowledging that the nation has “severe problems.”
Ms. Truss steadfastly refused to specify the details of the assistance measures or even rule out a carbon copy of Labour’s £70 billion proposal to freeze the energy limit. When asked what would happen if Vladimir Putin shut off the gas this winter, she again ducked the question.
However, when she appeared on Laura Kuenssberg’s new Sunday political programme on the BBC, she downplayed concerns about a “Armageddon scenario,” arguing that the UK had survived more trying circumstances in the past.
Ms. Truss said that a larger tax-cutting proposal would be introduced in the next month, denying claims that only the wealthiest will gain and maintaining that growth has been neglected in favour of’redistribution’.
Ms. Truss delivered a stern message to voters, promising to be open and honest about the difficulties we confront and the difficult choices we must make.
But Britain has endured worse situations in the past; we have the mindset and energy to overcome them.
In order to put our nation on the correct basis for the next winter, she said, “If I am elected prime minister, I will make sure there is an announcement on how we are going to deal with the problem of energy bills and of long-term supplies within one week.”
Rishi Sunak reiterated on the same broadcast that he would concentrate his aid on the most vulnerable.
Assuming she defeats Mr. Sunak’s challenge as anticipated, Ms. Truss will be appointed as Boris Johnson’s successor at noon on Monday before starting office in No. 10 on Tuesday.
With concerns growing that the energy crisis precipitated by Vladimir Putin might result in suffering and perhaps outages this winter, the in-tray for the new PM appears the grimmest in decades.
As the Conservative candidates fought it out throughout the summer, there has been resentment at the government’s shift.
Ms. Truss has been locked up at her opulent Chevening home formulating a plan.
The customary “kissing of hands” to signify the transfer of power will take place in Balmoral in Scotland rather than Buckingham Palace due to the Queen’s mobility concerns.
As a consequence, rather than the customary procession of ministers entering Downing Street, the new team could be assembled primarily over the phone.
Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary and a neighbour in south-east London, was an early supporter of her leadership campaign and is now the favourite to succeed her as chancellor.
Therese Coffey, who is the current Work and Pensions Secretary, could be elevated to the critical health brief, and James Cleverly, another loyalist, is probably going to take over as Foreign Secretary.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, a minister for Brexit, is expected to succeed Mr. Kwarteng after assisting in setting up talks with oil and gas companies to discuss the energy situation.
However, Mr. Sunak and his backers risk being essentially shut out. Priti Patel, who at first argued with Ms. Truss over who would represent the Tory right but ultimately fell in line behind her, may also lose her seat.
Suella Braverman is allegedly being groomed for the position of home secretary, raising questions about whether Ms. Patel would agree to be transferred to another position.
Additional events before a significant week in British politics:
Ms. Truss has vehemently defended her support for significant tax cuts, stating that she would put more emphasis on “expanding the economy” to benefit the populace than “redistribution”;
In response to rumours that he would resign and go to California if he lost the election, Mr. Sunak said he would remain in the House of Commons and “help the administration”;
Senior Conservatives have cautioned that Ms. Truss faces the toughest starting point since Margaret Thatcher and will need to give up “ideology” to succeed.
Nicola Sturgeon has fueled her feud with Ms. Truss by warning that she will be a “disaster” in No. 10 unless she gives up campaign pledges and calling her “desperate” for opposing a Scottish independence referendum.
Ms. Truss said that she was more concerned with growth than the wealth gap.
“I feel it is incorrect to see everything through the prism of redistribution.” She summarised her economic stance by saying, “What I’m about is about increasing the economy, and growing the economy helps everyone.”
When asked where the billions of pounds would come from, she argued that tax cuts would increase revenue.
She spoke about her intentions for company tax and that it wasn’t a risk.
“This is not about increasing taxes.” When we last reduced company tax, revenues rose. Therefore, I disagree with the idea that this is a static situation and that merely a fixed sum of money will enter the Exchequer.
“What I know is that raising company taxes won’t entice more companies to invest in our nation.”
Ms. Truss made an effort to quell rumours that she might reconsider the Bank of England’s ability to control interest rates in order to relieve some of the strain on families.
I firmly believe in the Bank of England’s independence, she said. We must delegate this task to the Bank of England.
We stopped letting politicians decide on interest rates, I believe, approximately thirty years ago. I won’t thus start recommending what the Bank of England’s interest rates ought to be.
After being prodded once again, she said, “I believe it would be utterly improper for me as a politician to state what I wanted interest rates to be and to countermand the Bank of England.”
In contrast to Ms. Truss, Mr. Sunak said that if the situation worsens, he could not exclude out energy rationing throughout the winter.
If he doesn’t win the leadership race, he said, he would still serve as an MP.
He said, “I’m staying as a Member of Parliament.”
It has been a wonderful honour to serve them as their Member of Parliament for Richmond in North Yorkshire, and I’d want to keep doing that as long as they’ll have me, he said while describing how he closed the campaign at home with his own party members in Richmond.
There are indications that erstwhile leadership contender Kemi Badenoch may have a significant responsibility in a Truss administration, potentially in education, as the Conservative manoeuvring continues.
Principal Treasury Secretary One of Ms Truss’s staunchest supporters, Simon Clarke, is expected to be rewarded with a significant role, maybe as Leveling Up Secretary.
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace is expected to remain in his current position.
He has endorsed Ms. Truss, and retaining him in position would reassure Ukraine that the UK would continue to back her even after Mr. Johnson steps out.
It has been rumoured that Nadine Dorries will continue in her role as Culture Secretary, either as an MP or from the Lords.
After the controversy surrounding Chris Pincher, the former deputy chief whip who resigned after charges — disputed by him — that he touched two men, Ms Truss is said to favour a female chief whip.
Ranil Jayawardena is expected to be appointed environment secretary, while Chloe Smith might be appointed work and pensions secretary. Wendy Morton could get a significant elevation to the crucial position.
According to reports, Brandon Lewis, the former secretary for Northern Ireland, will take on the role of justice secretary.
The incumbent Chancellor, Nadhim Zahawi, is being considered for the position of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
The present Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, told the Sunday Telegraph that he does not anticipate being given a role in the incoming administration.
Sajid Javid, a former health secretary, may also be overlooked.
Jake Berry is being considered for the position of Tory chairman, while Penny Mordaunt will likely be given a top position.
The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has made it plain that he does not want to take up the position of party chairman again.
Even though he supported Mr. Sunak, Ms. Truss’ team believes he is a credible media performer.
If Ms. Truss is elected prime minister on Tuesday, she has promised to take “rapid action” to reduce energy costs during her first week in office.
As prime minister, she will be able to make “tough choices” to help the UK overcome its current energy crisis, according to the Foreign Secretary.
With the typical household’s energy costs expected to increase to over £3,500 this winter, there have been increasingly stronger demands in recent weeks for the government to act to protect the most vulnerable.
Ms. Truss said in a piece for the Sunday Telegraph that she and her chancellor will be assisted by a council of economic advisors.
I recognise how difficult the cost-of-living situation is for everyone, she adds. It’s a difficult moment, and the months ahead will be difficult.
She promised to take “rapid action” and provide a “broader strategy to get our economy going, make it more robust, and make it more competitive” in order to address the cost-of-living problem affecting families and businesses.
If elected, I want to outline our initial course of action for energy supply and bill reduction during the first week of my new government.
“My chancellor would follow up with a fiscal event later this month, along with a more comprehensive package of economic measures.”
In order to prevent finding ourselves in this situation every fall and winter, “We need to make the tough choices”.
Plastering wounds and pushing problems off are unacceptable solutions. I’m prepared to make the difficult choices necessary to revive our economy.
The Sunday Times reports that once Ms. Truss is chosen, the energy issue will likewise be the main topic of her presentation from Downing Street.
According to the newspaper, it is anticipated to be “quite brief,” but after Ms. Truss assumes leadership, a statement on energy will happen immediately, and a “fiscal event” is scheduled to happen in the following weeks.
She has vowed to “start lowering taxes from day one” with a new Budget and Spending Review that will roll back the national insurance hike from April and the company tax increase from 19 to 25 percent in 2019.
Ms. Truss said in The Telegraph, “I acknowledge that many of the growth measures we adopt won’t have an immediate effect, but it is crucial we get started and develop a stronger economy for the future, pay down our debt as a nation, and provide the future for our children.
“There will be difficult choices to be made, and as prime minister, I am ready to make those difficult judgments.”
The likelihood that the new PM will go to Kyiv soon to boost support for Ukraine has grown.
It happens as Volodymyr Zelensky’s admiration for Mr. Johnson is still ringing in his ears as he gets ready to leave office.
In a letter to the Mail on Sunday, the president of Ukraine praised the departing prime minister for his unwavering support of his war-torn nation and referred to him as a “genuine friend.”
After a summer of internal strife, Mr. Johnson used an essay he wrote for the Sunday Express to reflect on his accomplishments and call for unity within his party.
“This is the time for every Conservative to unite and give that new leader their complete support.”
“Now is the moment to put the national interest ahead of the conflicts of the last several weeks, intriguing though they may have been.
“I know how huge and difficult this position is as I depart Number Ten after three challenging but often thrilling years. I am also confident that both candidates will do what is best for the citizens of this nation,” he added.
Lord Udny-Lister, a former Downing Street chief of staff and important assistant to Mr. Johnson, said in an interview that will be on Times Radio on Sunday that his former boss is “sad,” “cross,” and “shocked” by his forced departure.
Additionally, he declared that he would “never say never” to Mr. Johnson making a comeback.
He advised Ms. Truss to choose a new ethics advisor if she becomes prime minister in the same interview.
It follows Ms. Truss’ appearance on the campaign trail where she seemed undecided about making such an appointment.
Absolutely, and I believe it to be a crucial position, someone needs to be present. He said to the broadcaster, “There has to be someone watching these things.”
In what is expected to be their last high-profile interview before the outcome of the competition is made public, Ms. Truss and Mr. Sunak will both be interviewed on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show.
The replacement for Mr. Johnson, who will become prime minister the next day, will be named on Monday, beginning a hectic few days for UK politics.
In a departure from custom, Mr. Johnson and his successor will attend the Tuesday installation of the next prime minister in Balmoral rather than Buckingham Palace.
On Tuesday, Mr. Johnson will officially offer his resignation to the Queen at her residence in Aberdeenshire.
After that, the new Tory leader will be invited to form a government during a meeting with them.