As the Tory civil war escalates, former home secretary Priti Patel will launch a stinging attack against Liz Truss today over her economic proposals.
Ms. Patel is scheduled to warn the Prime Minister and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng at the Conservative Party Conference that the party will “live or die” based on its handling of the economy.
The former Cabinet minister, who resigned when Ms. Truss assumed office, will accuse the new Conservative administration of “spending without regard for the future.”
Ministers are prepared for a showdown over plans to tone down welfare increases for the poorest.
Just weeks into her tenure as prime minister, Ms. Truss is facing opposition from the moderate wing of the party, but Ms. Patel comes from a more extremist faction, demonstrating the extent of the discontent.
It occurred when Michael Gove continued his marathon series of conference appearances in Birmingham and loyal ministers lashed out at him. He has utilized the events of this week to criticize the PM’s policies.
A member of the Cabinet told MailOnline that Mr. Gove was attempting to make himself indispensible. He has been frozen out and wishes to return. This has nothing to do with matters of policy or principle.’
Ms. Patel is scheduled to warn the Prime Minister and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng at the Conservative Party Conference that the party will “live or die” based on its handling of the economy.
The former Cabinet minister, who resigned when Ms. Truss assumed office, will accuse the new Conservative administration of “spending without regard for the future.”
In portions of her speech quoted by the Times, Ms. Patel will add, ‘Like the Blob in the old horror film, the more resources that are consumed today, the worse the problem becomes and the more resources it will require tomorrow.
‘Right now, we have developed a habit of borrowing enormous sums to solve today’s pressing issues or to produce short-term populist headlines. Each time it appears there is a strong case, but what does this indicate for the future?
“I want to see our party reclaim its reputation by recommitting to sustainable public spending… which is affordable today, tomorrow, and for the foreseeable future.”
The Prime Minister is ready to defy dozens of Tory MPs by increasing benefits based on earnings rather than inflation next year, resulting in a reduction in real terms.
She will argue that it would be unfair to increase workers’ benefits, and that the decision will save the government approximately £7 billion.
However, in an interview with Times Radio, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt – who battled Ms. Truss for the leadership this summer – stated that it is “logical” to increase benefits in accordance with inflation. She stated, “We want to ensure that everyone is cared for and can pay their bills.”
We are not interested in helping people with one hand and taking from them with the other.
One Cabinet minister asked MailOnline, “Who briefed this material?” Are we going to truly do it? I cannot imagine how it might ever occur.
Even though I am a fiscal conservative, I do not believe that benefits can be kept low. We’ve had enough disagreements about the top tax rate; benefits would be considerably worse.’
Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith is also believed to have substantial reservations about the plans. Yesterday, she stated at a conference, “We are aware that individuals are grappling with some increased costs.” For this reason, safeguarding the most vulnerable is a top priority for me and my administration.
A member of the Cabinet told MailOnline that Mr. Gove was attempting to make himself indispensible. He has been frozen out and wishes to return. This has nothing to do with matters of policy or principle.’
As a result of the magnitude of the resistance, the premier’s reputation for decisiveness will be damaged further. The market meltdown has caused the Conservatives to plummet in the polls, with the most recent showing Labour with a staggering 28-point lead.
The Pound soared close to $1.14 this morning as traders cheered the news that Mr. Kwarteng will release his fiscal statement detailing how he will balance the books – and most importantly, the OBR’s decision on the finances – on November 23.
After considerable pressure from MPs and experts, the event will finally take place this month, before the next meeting of the Bank of England to examine interest rates.
The about-face follows a significant shift in the top tax rate, which remains in place despite Ms. Truss and Ms. Kwarteng’s insistence until yesterday that it would be eliminated.
In interviews that aired this morning but were prerecorded on Sunday, Ms. Truss stated, ‘We will have to make decisions on how to reduce the debt as a percentage of GDP in the medium term.
In addition to the energy price guarantee, we provide an additional £1,200 to the poorest households.
Therefore, we must examine these concerns holistically and be fiscally prudent.
She told LBC radio that “no decision has yet been made on the benefit increase” and that a decision will be made “in due course.”
However, when pressed to explain why she plans to enhance pensions but not benefits, she dropped additional hints. “What I mean is that it is quite difficult for persons on a fixed income, such as retirees, to adjust,” she explained.
I believe that the situation is different for persons who are in a position to work.