01 October 2023 , 21:30
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Shameless Liz Truss will lead calls for tax cuts today - a year on from crashing the economy with her tax-slashing plans.
The unrepentant ex-Prime Minister will gather her allies for a "growth" rally at Conservative party conference, where she will demand cuts to corporation tax for big businesses. Ms Truss included the policy in her disastrous mini-Budget but later reversed it after her tax-cutting bonanza sent the markets into meltdown.
In a speech, she is expected to say: "If we axe the tax, cut bills and build houses, we would make life better and easier for the British public, and give them the freedom to thrive." In a jibe at Mr Sunak, she will add: "We must make the Conservative Party the party of business once again, by getting corporation tax back down to 19%."
Her appearance at Tory conference comes a year after she was forced to ditch plans to axe the 45p tax rate for the richest Brits, in a move that spelled the end of her premiership.
Divisions erupted when Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said he would "like to see the tax burden reduced before the next election", which is due to be called next year. Mr Gove suggested ministers should prioritise cutting taxes for working people, such as income tax or national insurance rather than inheritance tax, which has been in No10's sights.
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But the Prime Minister refused to commit to pre-election tax cuts just moments later. He told the BBC: "When it comes to taxes, I'm a Conservative. Of course I want to cut taxes, the best tax cuts that I can deliver for the British people right now is to halve inflation."
Tory rising star Ben Houchen told delegates he was "disappointed" that Ms Truss has decided to show up to conference.
The Tees Valley mayor told an Onward event: "I thought Liz Truss would have more awareness than to, for example, come to Conservative Party conference. I don't think she should be here."
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said: " Liz Truss has learned nothing, calling for the same fantasy economics that crashed the economy just 12 months ago. Rishi Sunak needs to come clean. Does he agree with his predecessor?
"Anything short of a full rejection shows the Prime Minister is not strong enough to stand up to this extremist ideology that led to an economic catastrophe for millions of ordinary people."
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