Rishi Sunak Defends U-turns Ahead of Conservative Conference Dominated by Tax Cut Debate
In an effort to maintain order before the Conservative conference, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has dismissed criticism that recent policy reversals undermine the UK’s credibility. The upcoming conference is expected to be dominated by discussions on tax cuts and potential successors to Sunak. During a TV interview ahead of the conference, Sunak once again declined to confirm whether the HS2 rail project would extend to Manchester, the host city for the event set to kick off on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Sunak expressed confidence in assuming the role of prime minister without an election and subsequently altering significant sections of the Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto. He claimed to instinctively understand the desires of the British public, adding, “I have a good sense of what the British people’s priorities are… I’m going to set about delivering for them. And that’s the change that I’m going to bring.”
Just before Sunak’s interview, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove highlighted the extent to which cabinet ministers had been voicing independent opinions on policy matters leading up to the conference. Gove called for tax cuts prior to the next election. Similarly, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Home Secretary Suella Braverman pitched their proposals to the right-wing of the Conservative Party, advocating for the UK to depart from the European convention on human rights.
In an assertive interview, Sunak aimed to present himself as a rejuvenated prime minister with a vision for change despite recent policy reversals on net zero targets and the projected U-turn on HS2. When questioned about concerns that the country’s reputation would be tarnished due to the uncertainty surrounding HS2, Sunak dismissed the notion, stating, “I’d completely reject that. I speak to business leaders all the time… They’re excited about the opportunity that investing in Britain offers.”
Nonetheless, Sunak remained evasive and declined to reveal whether HS2 would reach Manchester as initially planned or only extend to Birmingham. When pressed further about HS2, Sunak deflected, saying, “I’m not going to comment on all this speculation.”
During the interview, Sunak was also shown a clip of Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland, who criticized the government for becoming disconnected from the needs of businesses and the environment. Sunak suggested that Walker’s discontent might stem from his failure to be chosen as a prospective Tory MP. He defended his decisions, stating, “Change may be uncomfortable for people… but I believe I’m doing the right thing for the country.”
With the conference potentially serving as the Tories’ last gathering before the next election, Sunak will face significant pressure to agree to tax cuts. Gove advocated for tax reduction in his own interview, asserting the need to incentivize work and reward individuals for their efforts. When questioned about this, Sunak simply replied, “The best tax cut we can give working people is to halve inflation.”
Sunak faced criticism for easing green targets and prioritizing drivers over other modes of transportation. However, he denied that his actions were a knee-jerk response to the Uxbridge by-election in July, where the Tories campaigned against expanded clean-air zones in London. Sunak suggested that potential limitations on local councils’ abilities to impose road safety measures would ensure their actions align with the preferences of their communities.
As the Conservative Party conference unfolds, all eyes will be on Sunak as he navigates the debates surrounding tax cuts and potential challengers to his position.