After the political storm linked to the resignation of Boris Johnson, a frantic race is being played out between Rishi Sunak, the former finance minister, and Liz Truss, secretary of state for foreign affairs. Both want “reaping the full benefits of Brexit”, without changing course vis-à-vis their conservative policy. For the two conservative opponents, the priorities are multiple: the purchasing power crisis, the “Chinese threat”and military and financial support to Ukraine.
A lingering pro-Brexit spirit
If some hoped for an appeasement with the European Union, the political vision of the two Tories is invariably pro-Brexit. “The old debate within the Conservative Party on the relationship with the EU is over. The hard Brexiteers have won”lamented David Gauke, former supporter of Theresa May, in a forum in the New Stateman.
While continuing to leave the EU, Rishi Sunak wants to expand the creation of free ports, port areas not subject to customs service in other regions. When he was Minister of Finance, he also drafted legislation to “adjust regulation to the interests of London” et “remove legacy EU legislation in 100 days”.
That said, Rishi Sunak was more conciliatory with Brussels than its competitor, particularly on the Northern Irish question. Liz Struss is behind legislation to dismantle the Northern Ireland Protocol; fears are based on a potential trade war with the EU. “The EU does not realize how serious the situation in Northern Ireland is”, stormed Liz Truss. According to Le Figaro, she claimed that her policy is “rooted in conservative values”while going through a “acceleration of regulatory divergence with the EU”.
See also: Northern Ireland: EU warns London against unacceptable changes
In short, the fragile hope of a new start with London is likely to disappoint more than one… especially the Europeans. But, if they adopt a policy more or less faithful to that of Boris Johnson, the two are in conflict on the economic level.
A fierce duel for the Tory presidency
When it comes to taxes and fiscal policy, the two finalists take a markedly different position. During a first televised debate on July 25, they opposed the subject of the cost of living crisis.
For the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the priority is to reduce taxes: “Everyone understands that Covid-19 is a once in a century event and that by trying to bail out we are hurting our economy, we end up causing a recession, and we are putting unemployed people, to the detriment of taxpayers who work hard and see their taxes increase”.
Which is not to the liking of his opponent, who asserts that the economic policy of Liz Truss “would lead to interest rates of 7%”, as reported by RFI. The one we call “la dame do”in reference to Margaret Tchatcher, replied that Rishi Sunak’s economic strategy would lead the country into recession.
This debate shows differences between the two adversaries. On the one hand, Liz Truss wants to revive the British economy thanks to an immediate growth plan, and is committed “to put an end to green levies on energy bills”. On the other hand, Rishi Sunak proposes to increase taxes and to have reserves to face inflation.
In the United Kingdom, galloping inflation is at its highest for forty years. But that’s not the only problem; the “menace” China comes on top of soaring prices.
An international alliance to counter the Chinese “threat”?
Rishi Sunak has toughened his tone against Beijing, which he sees as “a long-term threat” from the UK, according to the BBC. To “defend against technological attacks” of China, he proposes the creation of a alliance internationale “NATO style”but also to further develop and support MI5, Britain’s domestic intelligence.
See also: Brexit: the shadow of China hangs over the City
Taking a stand against China, which he accuses of “stealing our technologies and infiltrating our universities”the former finance minister said want to close the 30 Confucius Institutes located in the United Kingdom if elected. These non-profit public cultural institutions have been established in hundreds of cities around the world by the People’s Republic of China since 2004. According to some Conservative MPs, they would be used for propaganda and espionage purposes.
Rishi Sunak said he would prevent China “to take control of our universities”while providing “Giving UK businesses and public institutions the cybersecurity they need”. For the former Chancellor, “counter Chinese industrial espionage” is fundamental, as is “to prevent acquisitions by China in key sectors”as Le Figaro points out.
While Western eyes are on the war in Ukraine, Rishi Sunak believes that, meanwhile, the Chinese “try to intimidate their neighbors, including Taiwan”. On the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, he says that Beijing supports “Putin’s fascist invasion of Ukraine by buying its oil”.
On the economic level, the former British chancellor accuses China “to burden developing countries with an insurmountable debt and use it to seize their assets or threaten them with a diplomatic pistol”. He adds that they “torture, detain and indoctrinate their own people, especially in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, in violation of human rights”.
For its part, the news “Give me faith” adopts a rather eastern-oriented foreign policy. Indeed, the United Kingdom and the NATO allies should, according to her, increase Russian sanctions to support kyiv.
“Ukraine needs a clear victory”
In terms of international politics, Liz Truss is betting everything on the military and financial support given to Ukraine. For the head of British diplomacy, kyiv needs a “maximum military aid, in equipment and training”.
In an interview with the Journal du Dimanche, she assured that the “UK is the largest aid provider to the country, after the United States”; the latter having provided 2.3 billion euros to the kyiv authorities. If the opposition is worried about defense spending, which represents 2.3% of GDP, the minister does not budge, she wants to increase the “production of military equipment”.
See also: Traceability of funds to Ukraine is lost
On this subject, she “supports” that frozen Russian assets can be redistributed to victims of the invasion. “The UK wants to follow Canada’s lead and seize Russian assets in the UK and hand them over to Ukraine”, she said in The Guardian. Anyway, for Liz Truss, “War must be as short as possible, but we must be prepared for it to be long”.
The one who made a name for herself by posing as Margaret Thatcher, embodied intransigence in the delicate negotiations on the post-Brexit provisions on the question of Northern Ireland. Regarding European legislation, Liz Truss said that she is committed to abandon all EU laws still in force in the UK by 2023if she wins the election. “European regulations are hampering our businesses and this must change”, she said in a statement. Clearly, the tumultuous relations between the United Kingdom and Brussels are not likely to get better.
Ultimately, the polls give a large lead to Liz Truss. Nearly 20,000 members of the Conservative Party must vote by post; voting is due to start on August 5 and end on September 5.