Liz Truss has been warned ‘don’t lurch to the right’ by Tory MPs who fear what will happen if she wins the leadership race on Monday.
There are concerns the front runner will introduce a ‘Margaret Thatcher tribute government’, which could threaten the party’s successes at the next general election.
It comes amid claims Ms Truss’s plans for the economy could contribute to a huge black hole in the public finances by the middle of the decade.
And questions have been raised over her law and order proposals, just days before she is expected to be appointed as Boris Johnson’s successor.
During the campaign, Ms Truss pledged to reduce murders and other violent crime by 20 per cent within two years if she enters No 10 Downing Street.
But a top police chief has today described her law and order plans as “unwise”, “meaningless” and “soundbite-friendly”.
Chief constable Richard Lewis, the lead on performance for the National Police Chiefs Council, said the pledges were “meaningless” without “further explanation”.
New UK PM a chance to ‘reset’ British-Irish relationship – Martin
The Irish premier said the forthcoming announcement of a new British prime minister offers a chance to “reset” the fractured relationship between the UK and Ireland.
Micheal Martin said he is “anxious” that a window of opportunity is opening to repair relations between the two governments.
Mr Martin made the comments at the British-Irish Association conference in Oxford, just days before the Conservative Party announces its new leader.
Foreign secretary Liz Truss is widely tipped to defeat Rishi Sunak and become the new prime minister.
Mr Martin told RTE: “We are very anxious that a window of opportunity is opening up, the election of a new British prime minister and new government presents an opportunity to reset the British-Irish relationship and also the European Union and United Kingdom relationship in context of the protocol.
“The spirit within which we are approaching next week and beyond is a constructive one. We believe the breadth and depth of the UK-Irish relationship is such that there’s an imperative on us all to work together in a constructive way.
“We are prepared to do that and also in the context of Northern Ireland, in terms of resolutions of issues around the protocol.”
ICYMI: I may not rate her performance, but I’d never say what everyone is saying about Liz Truss
I worry that the emphasis on her lack of intellect is not just based on some of the stupid things she says and does, but is instead just an easy shorthand to use to criticise a woman – and a blonde one to boot, writes Jess Phillips.
Read Jess’s full piece here:
I may not rate her performance but I’d never say this about Liz Truss | Jess Phillips
I worry that the emphasis on her lack of intellect is not just based on some of the stupid things she says and does, but is instead just an easy shorthand to use to criticise a woman – and a blonde one to boot
Jacob Rees-Mogg blocking major UK tourism campaign funding
Jacob Rees-Mogg has been accused of failing to fly the “flag” for Britain abroad after reportedly refusing to sign off on a major government-backed tourism campaign aimed at boosting visitor numbers following the Covid pandemic.
The Brexit opportunities and efficiencies minister declined to approve the department for culture’s £800,000 budget, which was targetted at bringing back tourists from key international markets including India, China, Australia, Japan and Canada, The Guardian reports.
Keir Starmer is looking more like four-time election winner Harold Wilson every day
A new biography of Harold Wilson sends the message that if Starmer could match the former prime minister, he would deserve a significant place in history, writes John Rentoul.
Read John’s full piece here:
Keir Starmer is looking more like ‘the winner’ Harold Wilson every day | John Rentoul
A new biography of Harold Wilson sends the message that if Starmer could match the former prime minister, he would deserve a significant place in history
Tory MPs warn Liz Truss ‘don’t lurch to the right’
Conservative MPs have warned Liz Truss not to lurch the government to the right if, as expected, she triumphs over her rival Rishi Sunak and becomes prime minister next week.
Ms Truss’s own MPs cautioned the new Conservative leader must not abandon the centre ground or surround herself with an inner circle of right-wing allies, with a general election looming.
One former minister said: “I suspect she will go for a pretty hard Brexit, right-wing, Thatcher-tribute government”.
Click here for the full story.
Tory MPs have expressed concerns over Liz Truss’s direction
” height=”726″ width=”982″ layout=”responsive” class=”i-amphtml-layout-responsive i-amphtml-layout-size-defined” i-amphtml-layout=”responsive”> Tory MPs have expressed concerns over Liz Truss’s direction
Protocol bill ‘testing and fraying’ British-Irish partnership
Controversial legislation that would empower UK ministers to take unilateral action over the Northern Ireland Protocol is “testing and fraying” the partnership between Britain and Ireland, the Irish premier has said.
Micheal Martin warned in a speech to the British-Irish Association conference in Oxford that the move risks “further instability” in Northern Ireland, saying it will damage key sectors of the economy.
The Taoiseach also said that Brexit has “fundamentally changed” the relationship between the UK and the EU.
“It is critical therefore that we find a way through this undeniably difficult phase to build better relationships,” Mr Martin added.
“Like all long-term relationships, there are times when we don’t understand each other as well, perhaps misunderstand each other’s actions and the resulting consequences, but ultimately we both want and need to make it work.
“Regrettably, unilateral action on the protocol and on legacy is at odds with the spirit of partnership that is needed to underpin the Good Friday Agreement.
“It is testing and fraying that partnership between us. It risks further instability in Northern Ireland and damage to key sectors of the economy.”
Care homes will ‘go to the wall’ over energy costs putting further strain on the NHS
Many care homes could be forced to close because of sky high energy bills this winter putting further strain on the NHS, experts in the sector have warned.
Providers cannot cut back on consumption and will “go to the wall” because “there’s nowhere to go”, they warned.
Our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Care homes will ‘go to the wall’ over energy costs putting further strain on the NHS
Experts warn ‘perfect storm’ will affect the health service
Have I Got News for You: ‘Brutal’ Boris Johnson episode divides BBC viewers
Have I Got News for You viewers are reacting to Boris Johnson’s “brutal” send-off episode.
As the end of Johnson’s time as prime minister grows nearer, the satirical series recorded a special instalment, titled “Have I Got News for Boris: A Very Special Tribute”, which was broadcast on Friday (2 September).
Jacob Stolworthy reports:
‘Brutal’ Boris Johnson Have I Got News for You episode divides BBC viewers
Satirical show’s tribute to Johnson’s been branded both ‘hilarious’ and ‘disgraceful’
Tories planning to lose next election
A Labour frontbencher has accused the Conservatives of intentionally trying to lose the next general election.
The comments by Wes Streeting, Labour’s shadow health secretary, come just days before the Conservative Party announces is new leader and the country gets a new prime minister.
He said the Telegraph: “I think the Conservatives are planning to lose the next general election.”
According to the newspaper, the 39-year-old points to the decision by the current Government to cap the number of medical students as evidence for his claim.
The Conservatives have “concluded there’s no point recruiting medicine trainees because they’re not going to come into work until there’s a Labour government in place. I think that’s recklessly short-sighted”, he is quoted as saying.
“I don’t know what other explanation there is. For them to turn away bright young people from university places they desperately want to take up. That is threatening the future pipeline. We should be developing our homegrown talent for the NHS.”
Who is Liz Truss?
Barring a major upset, Liz Truss will replace Boris Johnson as prime minister next week.
She is currently the foreign secretary and before that served as the international trade secretary.
What else do we know about the South West Norfolk MP? My colleague Joe Sommerlad takes a look:
Liz Truss: Who is the foreign secretary hoping to become prime minister?
‘Human hand grenade’ seen by Tories as Johnson continuity candidate and ahead of Rishi Sunak throughout the race thanks to questionable tax promises and neo-Thatcherite branding
