Don’t be turkeys, Tories – stick with Liz

WHEN Liz Truss was crowned Tory leader just 26 days ago, the annual party conference was meant to be a victory parade.

But instead of burnishing her credentials with the party faithful and the wider public, the Prime Minister will be fighting for her political life. Her mini-Budget bombed, triggering a week of turmoil in which the pound plunged, pensions almost imploded and mortgage costs soared.

Labour has, one poll says, opened up a 33-point lead – which would lead to electoral annihilation.

and rather than rallying round her, several Tory MPs are plotting to topple her.

Yet the Government is right not to U-turn on the controversial mini-Budget. Leave aside that to do so would be a catastrophe, leaving Miss Truss’s authority in tatters.

In fact, the policies – from protecting firms and families from ruinous energy bills to one of the biggest tax giveaways in history – are commendable. and, crucially, defendable.

so it’s vital that Miss Truss puts the communication failures behind her. With the right messaging, she can reassure the public and markets that she will jolt our sclerotic economy back to life responsibly.

she and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng blundered by not having an OBR forecast on the impact of the cuts on the nation’s finances, or a viable plan to pay for them besides borrowing.

But an initial report will now be presented next week. With luck, that combined with more details on reforms to planning, energy and workers’ visas will persuade the City that UK growth will accelerate.

The economic turmoil is global. But already, Britain’s financial skies are brightening – sterling is back to pre-Budget levels, the stock market has rallied and we have avoided dipping into a recession.

and, remember, this is a long-term plan. so rebellious Tories must either hold their nerve – or prepare for five years out of power. Before conspiring to dethrone Miss Truss, they must remember they are MPs – not turkeys voting for Christmas.