Liz Truss has officially launched her campaign for leadership in a bid at becoming the new PM.
Truss, who is currently in third place in the contest, pledged a “positive agenda”, saying she would “hit the ground running” from day one and is the only candidate with the experience to do so.
She said that as international trade secretary, she delivered trade agreements when it was impossible.
Like many of her rival candidates Truss refused to criticise the people she is competing for the leadership. She was however confronted with many questions about Penny Mordaunt who is currently in second position in the race. In particular, whether she should drop out and support Mordaunt. This idea she quickly rejected.
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She was also asked the question being directed to all members of Johnson’s cabinet: How can you be a credible agent of change when you stuck with Boris Johnson? Truss responded that she had spoken out in cabinet regarding the national insurance hike. She also said that she is loyal and has accepted collective responsibility.
It was clear that the focus was on rebuilding our economy. Truss stated this as her priority. She added that the successful way to do this is to pay back covid debts over a long period of time and accept this was a “once in a hundred year” crisis that can only be fixed slowly.
She also stated she would offer tax breaks for parents and people who are taking time off work in order to care elderly parents. She also said that she would try to make the UK have lower tax zones.
In a few quick-fire questions, Truss said she “fully supports” the Rwanda scheme and that she worked very closely with Priti Patel to make this happen. She also stated that she will increase defense spending to 3% within the next ten years.
“What the British people are crying out for is a modern and united Conservative party.”
“You can trust me,” she said.
