RISHI Sunak today vowed to slash taxes, hike child benefits and impose national service in a last-ditch bid to turn the polls around.
At Silverstone racecourse the PM unveiled the Conservative Party manifesto, containing dozens of promises including a clampdown on migration and help for first-time-buyers.
PARishi Sunak launches the Conservative Party Manifesto at Silverstone racecourse[/caption]
PAPrime Minister Rishi Sunak launches the Conservative Party General Election manifesto at Silverstone in Towcester, Northamptonshire. Picture date: Tuesday June 11, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Election. Photo credit should read: James Manning/PA Wire[/caption]
PAThe PM posed for pics with card carrying Conservatives ahead of the launch[/caption]
Addressing an audience of the Tory faithful, Mr Sunak said: “Now is the time for bold action – not an uncertain Sir Keir Starmer as our Prime Minister.”
He added that “our economy has truly turned a corner” and that only the Tories would ensure “more British success stories”.
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In an effort to stop the wheels coming off his campaign, the PM pledged to slash national insurance by another 2 per cent in 2027.
The move would take the total number of Tory tax cuts to 6 per cent.
And placing clear blue water between himself and Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Sunak declared he’d abolish NICs altogether by 2029.
In a win for silver-haired Brits, the PM promised to raise the tax-free pension allowance to save OAPs £275 by 2030.
Mr Sunak’s manifesto includes pledges to
CUT National Insurance by a further 2p by 2027, taking the main rate to 6 per cent
ABOLISH National Insurance entirely for self-employed workers by 2029
PROTECT pensioners from ever paying income tax with a new Triple Lock Plus
GIVE working parents 30 hours a week free childcare by September next year
CREATE a mandatory new form of national service for 18-year-olds
IMPOSE a ban on any new green levies that makes Brits pay for Net Zero
BAN mobile phones in classrooms as well as clamping down on sex education
BOOSTING defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030
SLAP an annual cap on legal migration while pledging immediate Rwanda flights
And he told parents he’d hike the threshold for paying back child benefits to £120,000.
Addressing the housing crisis blighting Britain, the PM said he’d permanently abolish stamp duty for first-time buyers on homes under £425,000.
And Help to Buy, where the government lends money to wannabe homeowners so they can purchase a property, would also be revived.
Taking the fight to migration, the PM announced plans for a cap on the number of work and family visas every year.
But he stopped short of a firm pledge to get tough on Strasbourg meddling in Britain’s border controls.
In an offer to drivers ULEZ zones would be scrapped and local people would get to vote on the imposition of low-traffic neighbourhoods.
Mr Sunak is running out of chances to turn his faltering election campaign around having left it at risk of imploding over his decision to leave last week’s D-Day commemorations in Normandy early.
The latest polling, by Redfield and Wilton, has the Tories trailing Labour by 26 points.
Senior Conservatives are hoping today’s manifesto can be a reset moment for the campaign.
But Cabinet ministers have already privately admitted to being underwhelmed by the lack of big offers.
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Sir Keir today slammed the PM for delivering a “Jeremy Corbyn-style manifesto” riddled with unfunded promises.
He called the launch the “most expensive panic attack in history”.
On a campaign visit in Middlesbrough he said: “We have been absolutely clear that all our plans are fully costed and funded.
“We will not be increasing income tax, national insurance or VAT, so no tax increases for working people. None of our plans require tax rises.
“But this is coming from the party that put tax to the highest level for 70 years and they’re building this sort of Jeremy Corbyn-style manifesto where anything you want can go in it. None of it is costed. It’s a recipe for more of the same.
“That’s why this choice of turn our back on this, turn the page and rebuild with Labour is so important.”
What are the odds?
Here are the current political odds on the Betfair Exchange
Most seats
Labour 1/50 (98% chance)
Conservative – 59/1 (2% chance)
Reform UK – 99/1 (1% chance)
Lib Dem – 999/1 (<1% chance)
Green – 999/1 (<1% chance)
Overall Majority
Labour Majority – 1/18 (95% chance)
No Overall Majority – 19/1 (5% chance)
Conservative Majority – 94/1 (1% chance)
ReutersBritish Home Secretary James Cleverly, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt and Akshata Murty, wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, enter the launch event for the Conservative Party’s manifesto[/caption]
PAThe PM arrived at windy Silverstone racecourse with his wife Akshatha this morning[/caption]