As she seeks to bring together feuding Tories with her keynote conference address today, Liz Truss confronts a make-or-break moment only one month into her leadership.
After a rally in Birmingham marred by disagreements over tax and welfare policies, the prime minister will appeal to her supporters to support her idea of “a new Britain for a new age.”
Since “there is disturbance wherever there is change,” she will urge that they disregard the clamor of those who disagree with her initiatives.
She will remark, “Not everyone will be in favor.” But everyone will gain from the outcome, which will be a brighter future and a thriving economy.
But the message comes at one of the most disorganized Tory conventions in recent memory, when Cabinet collective responsibility has all but disintegrated. A number of surveys that predicted a landslide victory for Labour in an election have dimmed the mood.
Though the mini-Budget caused havoc on the markets, Ms. Truss and her Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng vehemently defended eliminating the 45p top rate of tax on Sunday.
However, a mutiny led by Michael Gove caused a U-turn and the concept was abandoned within a day.
When it was announced that benefits would be reduced in real terms, there was a collapse, and Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt explicitly said that she wanted to see benefits increased in step with inflation.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman responded to Mr. Gove’s effort at a “coup” by saying she was “disappointed” that Ms. Truss had given up on her plan to eliminate the 45p rate.
Additionally, Ms. Braverman said she wished to see Britain leave the European Convention on Human Rights at a fringe event last night. No. 10 rebuked her for her remarks, pointing out that it is not official government policy.
Other unexpected developments occur when Ms. Truss approaches her turning point at the conference:
- James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, scoffed at the notion that Ms. Truss may be removed soon, saying she “says what she’s going to do and then does what she says”;
- Considering the train strike and poor morale, MPs and Tory aides have been instructed to remain in Birmingham for the leader’s address;
- King Charles has being urged to attend the Cop27 conference in Egypt next month by COP26 chair and Cabinet minister Alok Sharma after Ms. Truss reportedly cautioned the king against attending;
- The timing of Mr. Kwarteng’s fiscal statement is unclear; the Chancellor officially said that it would be on November 23, while staffers claim it may come sooner;
- Following the chaotic convention in Birmingham, government whips are threatening a severe crackdown at Westminster to ensure order;
- A startling Redfield & Wilton survey puts Labour in the lead in the Red Wall by 38%, up from a 15% advantage two weeks ago.
The enormity of the problem is huge, Ms. Truss is likely to remark in her address at roughly 11 a.m. For the first time in a generation, there is war in Europe.
In the wake of Covid, the world has become more unpredictable. and a worldwide economic downturn.
“For that reason, in Britain, we need to act differently.” There is disturbance wherever there is change. Not everyone will support it.
But everyone will gain from the outcome, which will be a brighter future and a thriving economy. That is what we have a clear strategy to achieve, Miss Truss will continue.
Ms. Cleverly rejected warnings that she only had 10 days to rescue herself in a series of interviews this morning, insisting that Ms. Truss would lead the Tories into the next election.
He told BBC Breakfast, “I enjoy the idea that she states what she’s going to do and then does what she says.”
Because, as I said, she recognizes that if you don’t go for growth, you end up with either stagnation or recession, and that is not what we want to do, she is delivering on the things she said she would do from the very beginning.
The PM already had to give up her ambition to eliminate the 45p top tax rate.
Plans to save £7 billion from the welfare budget by restricting benefit payment increases to average salaries rather than inflation are opposed by a number of Cabinet ministers as well as a sizable number of MPs.
When the Government unveils plans for substantial “supply side” changes in eight sectors, ranging from planning and employment rights to farming and fracking, ministers should expect additional uproar this month.
The PM will assert, however, that she is correct to concentrate on boosting development rather than becoming fixated on discussions about redistribution.
She will add, “For far too long, our economy has not developed as rapidly as it ought to have.” How we divide a small economic pie has dominated political discussion for far too long.
Instead, we must expand the pie to give everyone a larger piece.
“That is why I’m committed to adopt a fresh strategy and free us from this cycle of high taxes and slow economic development. That is the goal of our plan: to revive the British economy through enacting reforms.
According to conservative sources, Miss Truss intended to deliver a succinct, focused statement lasting approximately 30 minutes, or about half the length of a traditional leader’s presentation.
The prime minister, according to a source, would admit that “mistakes had been made” in the early stages of her term.
Ms. Truss will also make an effort to cast blame on Labour, claiming that Keir Starmer is unaware of the scope of the measures required to spark development.
The Prime Minister will assert that she would maintain a “iron grip” on the country’s finances in addition to steps to spur development, with a smaller government providing better value for taxpayers’ money.
She’ll declare, “This is a wonderful nation. However, I am aware that we can and must improve. Throughout the nation, there is a ton of talent. We don’t produce enough of it.
“In order to do this, Britain must move.” At this crucial moment, we cannot stray and postpone any longer.
We are the only party with a clear strategy to expand our economy and get Britain going, Ms. Truss said on Twitter yesterday night.
We are the only party that is committed to fulfilling our obligations. We can maximize the potential of our wonderful nation by working together.
Whips have been pleading with MPs not to leave the conference before the Prime Minister speaks; but, today’s train strikes, which will severely disrupt services to Birmingham, are not helping the situation.