Here we look at how they differ in key policy areas:
Economy
Rishi Sunak
Sunak has promised “a return to traditional conservative economic values”, a position variously seen as an appeal to instinctive Tory fiscal prudence or a desire to return to “austerity economics”. When he was challenged on claims that he was a “high-tax chancellor”, he took aim at other candidates who offered “comforting fairy tales” rather than facing the harsh economic reality. He has said he aims to cut taxes but wants to tackle inflation first.
Liz Truss
Truss pledged to reverse the rise in national insurance rates, which was designed to fund health and social care. Her economic message is based on low taxes and low regulation, and she told the Spectator she would treat the borrowing built up during the pandemic as a war debt to be written off over a long period of time. Liz Truss: ‘My tax cuts will reduce inflation’ – video
Climate
Rishi Sunak
Sunak will set a new legal target for the UK to be energy independent by 2045 at the latest and has pledged to maintain the government’s legally binding target of net zero emissions by 2050 and has assured the Tory green wing that he will protect the environment. Insiders say Sunak was resistant to spending money on climate measures when he ran the Treasury. However, he has previously spoken out in favor of net zero and advocated for a greener economy.
Liz Truss
The Trust has pledged to maintain the government’s legally binding target of net zero emissions by 2050, but has said it will suspend green energy levies. It is backed by energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng, who is relatively strong on renewables, and another supporter, Vicky Ford, says she has been very supportive of Cop26.
Education
Rishi Sunak
Sunak’s supporters, Nick Gibb and Damian Hinds, who have both served as ministers at the Department for Education, outlined Sunak’s approach to schooling in a column in The Times. The education system will “focus on excellence and provide the skills and knowledge needed for tomorrow’s world,” they wrote. It aims to help the best multi-academy trusts expand and deliver on its commitment to establish high-quality specialist free post-16 schools outside London and the South East.
Liz Truss
Truss lamented the quality of the state school she attended, which critics were quick to point out happened under Conservative governments, and promised to give everyone “the same opportunities” so they “can know that the town they were born in has chances”. .
Domestic affairs
Rishi Sunak
Sunak also backs the Rwanda removal plan, although sources have said he opposed it as chancellor over the £120m cost. He has promised a “crackdown on grooming gangs” and pledged to make it a requirement for all police forces to have a ring-fenced child sex exploitation squad.
Liz Truss
Truss reportedly said she would seek to expand Rwanda’s removal program to countries such as Turkey and called it “totally ethical.” Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST
Leveling up
Rishi Sunak
Sunak has received the backing of Tory Valley mayor Ben Hutchen as well as several “red wall” MPs on his leveling pledges. He has pledged to retain a cabinet-level secretary of state for the upgrade. Houchen said he was encouraged by Sunak’s interest in the leveling agenda.
Liz Truss
Truss has also pledged to continue the leveling agenda, but added that she would do so in a “conservative way”. Commentators have suggested this means a focus on tax cuts and deregulation, rather than high spending and investment.
Brexit
Rishi Sunak
Sunak came out early on Brexit ahead of the referendum. He is said to have backed proposals for the “Northern Ireland protocol” and, as chancellor, promoted “free ports” across Britain as a way to benefit from Brexit. He has pledged a firestorm of EU laws that “hinder” British businesses.
Liz Truss
Truss remained in the referendum campaign but has since turned heavily on Brexit. He has led negotiations with Brussels over subsequent disputes and is promoting new legislation that would unilaterally rewrite Britain’s post-Brexit commitments to the EU regarding Northern Ireland.
title: “Truss V Sunak How Do The Tory Pm Candidates Differ On Policy Conservative Leadership " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-26” author: “Antonio Savage”
Here we look at how they differ in key policy areas:
Economy
Rishi Sunak
Sunak has promised “a return to traditional conservative economic values”, a position variously seen as an appeal to instinctive Tory fiscal prudence or a desire to return to “austerity economics”. When he was challenged on claims that he was a “high-tax chancellor”, he took aim at other candidates who offered “comforting fairy tales” rather than facing the harsh economic reality. He has said he aims to cut taxes but wants to tackle inflation first.
Liz Truss
Truss pledged to reverse the rise in national insurance rates, which was designed to fund health and social care. Her economic message is based on low taxes and low regulation, and she told the Spectator she would treat the borrowing built up during the pandemic as a war debt to be written off over a long period of time. Liz Truss: ‘My tax cuts will reduce inflation’ – video
Climate
Rishi Sunak
Sunak will set a new legal target for the UK to be energy independent by 2045 at the latest and has pledged to maintain the government’s legally binding target of net zero emissions by 2050 and has assured the Tory green wing that he will protect the environment. Insiders say Sunak was resistant to spending money on climate measures when he ran the Treasury. However, he has previously spoken out in favor of net zero and advocated for a greener economy.
Liz Truss
The Trust has pledged to maintain the government’s legally binding target of net zero emissions by 2050, but has said it will suspend green energy levies. It is backed by energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng, who is relatively strong on renewables, and another supporter, Vicky Ford, says she has been very supportive of Cop26.
Education
Rishi Sunak
Sunak’s supporters, Nick Gibb and Damian Hinds, who have both served as ministers at the Department for Education, outlined Sunak’s approach to schooling in a column in The Times. The education system will “focus on excellence and provide the skills and knowledge needed for tomorrow’s world,” they wrote. It aims to help the best multi-academy trusts expand and deliver on its commitment to establish high-quality specialist free post-16 schools outside London and the South East.
Liz Truss
Truss lamented the quality of the state school she attended, which critics were quick to point out happened under Conservative governments, and promised to give everyone “the same opportunities” so they “can know that the town they were born in has chances”. .
Domestic affairs
Rishi Sunak
Sunak also backs the Rwanda removal plan, although sources have said he opposed it as chancellor over the £120m cost. He has promised a “crackdown on grooming gangs” and pledged to make it a requirement for all police forces to have a ring-fenced child sex exploitation squad.
Liz Truss
Truss reportedly said she would seek to expand Rwanda’s removal program to countries such as Turkey and called it “totally ethical.” Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST
Leveling up
Rishi Sunak
Sunak has received the backing of Tory Valley mayor Ben Hutchen as well as several “red wall” MPs on his leveling pledges. He has pledged to retain a cabinet-level secretary of state for the upgrade. Houchen said he was encouraged by Sunak’s interest in the leveling agenda.
Liz Truss
Truss has also pledged to continue the leveling agenda, but added that she would do so in a “conservative way”. Commentators have suggested this means a focus on tax cuts and deregulation, rather than high spending and investment.
Brexit
Rishi Sunak
Sunak came out early on Brexit ahead of the referendum. He is said to have backed proposals for the “Northern Ireland protocol” and, as chancellor, promoted “free ports” across Britain as a way to benefit from Brexit. He has pledged a firestorm of EU laws that “hinder” British businesses.
Liz Truss
Truss remained in the referendum campaign but has since turned heavily on Brexit. He has led negotiations with Brussels over subsequent disputes and is promoting new legislation that would unilaterally rewrite Britain’s post-Brexit commitments to the EU regarding Northern Ireland.
