Liz Truss has renewed optimism about her chances of getting into Downing Street next month – despite former Tory cabinet ministers pouring cold water on her plans.
Ms Truss, who is leading the race to become the next Conservative leader by a significant margin, has continued her economic push, saying there is “too much talk that there’s going to be a recession”.
The rate of inflation in the UK reached 10.1% last week, while the economy shrank by 0.6% in June and is expected to continue on a downwards trajectory.
The foreign secretary has told The Sun on Sunday that there needs to be a “level of ambition” when it comes to turning the tide on the grim economic forecast.
She promised a “small business and self-employed revolution” to help turn things around, adding: “Those are the future big companies we need to develop – and why shouldn’t Britain have the next Google or the next Facebook? Why shouldn’t it be a British company?”
“It’s about that level of ambition. There is too much talk that there’s going to be a recession. I don’t believe that’s inevitable. We can unleash opportunity here in Britain.”
However, despite her economic optimism, former cabinet members from her own party have expressed “jitters” over her plans to the Observer.
It’s after Michael Gove said Ms Truss was taking a “holiday from reality” and that he was supporting Rishi Sunak in the contest.
One unnamed former minister told the paper they were “worried” about the prospect of Ms Truss being handed the keys to Number 10, adding: “Members are going one way with Liz, the country at large, the other.”
Another said: “If she carries on with full-on culture wars and the anti-woke stuff, as well as the economic stuff, she will just come across as Boris without the charm.
“Then she will turn off people in the blue wall.”
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Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, who is widely tipped to become Ms Truss’s chancellor, wrote for Mail+ saying there are plans to help people with energy bills this winter – after her camp came under fire for failing to address the crisis.
He wrote: “I understand the deep anxiety this is causing. As winter approaches, millions of families will be concerned about how they are going to make ends meet.
“But I want to reassure the British people that help is coming.”
However, Mr Kwarteng stopped short of announcing any specific help that Ms Truss’s team would offer.
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It comes after Labour’s costed plan to freeze the energy price cap won public acclaim last week, which in turn has given the party a huge poll boost.
A poll for Opinium shows Sir Keir Starmer’s party opening up an eight-point lead over the Conservatives, with data also revealing Labour’s energy plan was supported by more than 60% of the country.
The survey of 2,001 adults this week gave Labour a 39% vote share to the Conservatives’ 31%.
It also offered Sir Keir a boost, with the poll finding he is favoured over Ms Truss and Rishi Sunak.
