London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jul 04, 2026

Liz Truss's economic vision remains popular with Tory members

Liz Truss's economic vision remains popular with Tory members

What we have learnt explicitly this week is Liz Truss's diagnosis of the country's economic problems extends well beyond her opponent Rishi Sunak's attitude to taxes.
The foreign secretary is arguing the country has been hobbled by a 20-year economic malaise caused by successive governments of various colours.

From New Labour to the coalition government of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats and beyond - she suggests there has been a claggy consensus.

Now, she argues, it's time to unleash the Tory tigers of tax cuts and deregulation to jump start the economy.

There is yet more evidence her vision is proving popular with the 160,000 or so people who hold the keys to No 10 Downing Street - members of the Conservative Party.

A poll from YouGov suggests she has a whopping lead over Rishi Sunak.

He insists tax increases that are coming - such as rising corporation tax - are justified given the colossal costs of Covid, and cutting tax too soon could make dealing with soaring prices harder.

Expect him to argue too that Liz Truss should spell out how she would pay for promises like sorting out social care or dealing with the NHS backlog while also cutting taxes.

What has struck me is Liz Truss's diagnosis of what is at the root of many of the UK's problems - sclerotic economic growth - is very similar to what the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer thinks.

Their solutions to address the issue would be very different, but the problem they're trying to solve is the same.

As for Rishi Sunak, we can expect him to broaden his attempts to appeal to Conservative members.

It looks like there'll be a blitz of policy ideas, taking in topics such as crime, immigration and Brexit.

Where possible, and there won't be much chance, both candidates will try to get some rest.

It's been a whirlwind few weeks and one of them is moving house in just over six weeks; their life and that of their families never the same again.

Before then, the longest job interview of their lives. Plenty more scrutiny and jeopardy awaits.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Royal Society Exhibition Highlights Growing Focus on Public Trust in Science
Energy Costs and Supply Chain Risks Continue to Shape UK Business Strategy
Rapid Rise in Artificial Intelligence Adoption Reshapes UK Corporate Operations, ONS Says
UK Businesses Turn Defensive as Economic Outlook Weakens, Institute of Directors Data Shows
UK Government Faces Criticism Over Late Extension of Pub Hours for England Match
Inquest Continues Into Death of Noah Donohoe as Jury Deliberates Findings
Calls for Stronger Wildlife Attraction Safety Rules After Crocodile Enclosure Injury
City Fire Under Control After Major Blaze Sends Smoke Across Urban Area
Police Investigation Continues After Officer Killed During Road Closure Duties
Blackpool Hotel Fined £120,000 After Electric Shock Incident Involving Child
Whistleblowers Allege Delays in UK Special Educational Needs Support Services
Calls Grow for Improved Support for UK Armed Forces Personnel Facing Health Conditions
Rising UK Energy Price Cap Increase Prompts Wider Concerns Over Household Pressures
UK Businesses Remain Concerned Over Global Conflict Risks to Supply Chains, ONS Finds
Office for National Statistics Reports Rising Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Across UK Businesses
Institute of Directors Reports Deepening Pessimism in UK Business Confidence Index
England Prepare for World Cup Round of 16 Match Against Mexico in Mexico City
Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition Concludes in London After Week-Long Showcase of Research
Silverstone Hosts British Grand Prix as Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton Lead Home Crowd Expectations
Cornwall Van Dwellers Face Homelessness Risk as Council Tightens Enforcement
Police Investigate Stabbing of Iranian Journalist in London
Rare Copy of US Declaration of Independence Discovered in UK Archive
Department for Education Data Shows Persistent Literacy Gap Among Disadvantaged White Pupils
London Casino Faces Legal Action Over Alleged Tip Distribution Practices
England Records Hottest June on Record as Heatwave Disrupts Services Nationwide
UK Foreign Office Ends Overseas Education Programme for Women and Girls After Shortfall
UK Lawmakers Call for Urgent Action to Preserve Historic Outdoor Lidos
Police Criticise Extended Pub Opening Hours for England World Cup Fixture in Mexico
UK Safety Authorities Warn Parents Over AI-Generated Child Abuse Imagery Risks
Reform UK-Led Council Struggles to Attract Sponsors for Union Flag Promotion Scheme
OpenAI UK Investment Uncertainty Grows After Reported Setback on Stargate Data Centre Site
British Medical Association Warns of Severe Financial Crisis and Possible Staff Cuts
UK Devolution Debate Intensifies as Celtic Nations Prepare Breakup Contingency Plans
Starmer Signals Labour Transition as Burnham Emerges as Potential Successor
UK Government Consults International Partners on Maritime Trade Security and Energy Market Stability
Rare Revolutionary-Era Documents Discovered by UK Archives and Undergoing Authentication
UK Consumer Confidence Remains Deep in Negative Territory as Household Spending Stays Cautious
Transport for London Warns of Severe Disruption as Major Events Converge in Central London
NHS and Social Care Sectors Face Ongoing Recruitment Shortages Amid Persistent Workforce Gaps
Rising Energy Costs Drive Price Pressures Across UK Retail and Service Sectors
Competition and Markets Authority Expands Review of Artificial Intelligence Impact on UK Media Markets
UK Parliamentary Committees Intensify Scrutiny of National Security and Industrial Policy Legislation
Bank of England Faces Persistent Inflation Pressure as Rate Cut Expectations Fade
UK Public Finances Under Pressure as Borrowing Exceeds Forecast and Debt Nears 95% of GDP
Major Police Deployment Across Central London as Mass Demonstrations and Pride Parade Converge
Large-Scale Police Dispersal Powers Activated in Liverpool Ahead of Anti-Immigration Protests and Counter-Demonstrations
Luxury bags take over the World Cup: style, status symbol, or just showing off?
National Productivity Institute Highlights Weak Business Investment Outside Southern England
UK High Court Orders Reassessment of Environmental Impact in Major Highway Project
UK Cyber Security Centre Warns of Rising Threat From State-Sponsored Digital Espionage
×