Rishi Sunak Accuses Liz Truss of "Promising the Earth" in Conservative Leadership Contest

Strategic Insights -

Rishi Sunak, a candidate for the Conservative leadership, accused his rival Liz Truss of "promising the earth to everybody" as he played down polling that suggests he is on course to be defeated. Despite facing criticism from his own party members for his decision to quit Boris Johnson's government, Sunak insisted that he is receiving a "warm reception" while campaigning.

He also rejected suggestions that his campaign has not been "politically savvy", saying that he simply wants to be "honest" with voters about the state of the British economy. Truss, who is the frontrunner to replace Johnson as Prime Minister, has said that she would bring forward urgent plans to address rising energy bills if elected.

However, Sunak's attacks on Truss's tax-cutting plans come as the race to succeed Johnson enters its final fortnight. His campaign had earlier called on Truss to "come clean" and claimed that her plans to borrow in order to fund tax cuts are "dangerous". Sunak also accused Truss of taking a "holiday from reality" over her economic plans.

Senior Tories have criticised Truss's economic plans, with former minister Michael Gove accusing her of taking a "holiday from reality". Yet the criticism has so far appeared to have done little to arrest the momentum of Truss.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rishi Sunak accused his rival Liz Truss of "promising the earth to everybody" in the Conservative leadership contest
  • Sunak rejected suggestions that his campaign has not been "politically savvy", saying that he simply wants to be "honest" with voters about the state of the British economy
  • Truss has said that she would bring forward urgent plans to address rising energy bills if elected
  • Sunak's campaign accused Truss of taking a "holiday from reality" over her economic plans
  • Senior Tories have criticised Truss's economic plans, with former minister Michael Gove accusing her of taking a "holiday from reality"
  • Energy regulator Ofgem is set to announce the latest price cap on Friday, with predictions that it could rise from £1,971 to around £3,600
  • Bill Bullen, chief executive of Utilita, called on the Conservatives to end the leadership contest early to address rising energy bills

Statistics:

  • £3,600: predicted rise in energy prices based on Ofgem's latest price cap announcement
  • £1,971: current energy price cap
  • 26th of the month: date of Ofgem's latest price cap announcement
  • 5th or 6th of September: date by which Truss had promised to help firms and households with soaring energy bills
  • 10 weeks: usual time it takes for the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to carry out an analysis of Government economic proposals

Sources:

  • BBC Radio 2
  • BBC Radio 4's Today programme
  • Times article by Michael Gove
  • LBC interview with Mel Stride, Conservative MP and chair of the Commons Treasury Committee
  • Utilita CEO Bill Bullen's statement on the BBC's Today programme
  • Ofgem announcement on energy price cap
  • BBC news article "Rishi Sunak accuses Liz Truss of 'promising the earth'"
  • BBC news article "Liz Truss accused of taking 'holiday from reality' over economic plans"
  • BBC news article "Ofgem to announce energy price cap on Friday"