Rivals lay out policy to woo members
Rishi “forforces leadershipead le Sunak that rival be” has Liz backing hit Truss, out at Tory as the he ppositioned himself as the underdog und in the race.
As A both campaigns traded blows blow yesterday, Truss refused to eengage with the “underdog” claim clai as she said she was “not taking taki anything for granted”.
The T Foreign Secretary was in Kent, Ken where she highlighted her plans plan for a “red tape bonfire” of EEU regulations, while Sunak used use a speech in Grantham, Lincolnshire, Linc the birthplace of Margaret Mar Thatcher, to kick-start a bibid to win over Tory members.
Truss, Tr tipped as the favourite among amo grassroots voters and backed bac by Boris Johnson loyalists, loya faced attacks from the ex-cchancellor over her tax cut plans plan as he sought to convince members mem that he was the true Thatcherite in the contest.
Sunak also took aim at his rival’s riva Brexit credentials in his speech, sp which was heavy on warnings wa about the dangers of inflation in as he promised to put the th UK on a “crisis footing” if he h enters No10.
He said: “The forces that be wwant this to be a coronation for tthe other candidate. But I think thin members want a choice and they are prepared to listen.”
Pressed by reporters to be more specific, he said he was talking “generically”.
Warning against “privatisation by the back door”, Sunak also announced plans to eliminate one-year NHS waiting times six months earlier than planned, by September 2024, and to get numbers falling by next year.
Truss, who told reporters in Kent that she would install a “strong” health secretary to tackle that NHS backlog, reiterated her commitment to tax-cutting policies.
She said she was being “honest” about the economy, hitting back at the suggestion her plans are unrealistic and she refused to be drawn on Sunak’s view she was the frontrunner.
She said: “I want the support of Conservative members. I’m somebody who is campaigning as a Conservative and will govern as a Conservative.”