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Liz Truss will ‘channel the spirit of the Lionesses’ and defeat ‘plastic patriot’ Keir Starmer
Liz Truss’s announcement of a “war on Whitehall waste” including a cut to public sector wages has drawn the fury of labour unions, as they warned her to expect “opposition every step of the way” if she becomes prime minister.
Labour also criticised the idea, which would effect regions outside the wealthy south-east, saying it would sound the death knell for the government’s levelling up agenda by widening the regional income gap.
The conflict erupted after the foreign secretary revealed last night her plans to cut pay in a bid to save £11bn. She also presented plans to slash civil service holiday entitlements.
Deputy leader Angela Rayner said Ms Truss’s plans would result in “a race to the bottom on public sector workers’ pay and rights”.
The row came as Ms Truss’s campaign to enter No 10 won two major boosts on Monday – with a new poll showing she could beat Sir Keir Starmer in a general election, and the endorsement of third-placed candidate Penny Mordaunt.
Boost for Truss as Mordaunt offers her backing
Former Tory leadership contender Penny Mordaunt has come out in support of Liz Truss in a major boost to her campaign to become the next prime minister.
Ms Mordaunt dramatically announced her endorsement at the start of a hustings event pitching Truss against rival Rishi Sunak in Exeter.
The declaration of support hits a further nail into the coffin of Mr Sunak’s ailing bid to enter 10 Downing Street. Ms Mordaunt won widespread support within the party with a well-received campaign that saw her finish third in the race to succeed Boris Johnson.
Our political editor Andrew Woodcock reports:
Major boost for Truss’s PM campaign as Penny Mordaunt offers her backing
Foreign secretary is the ‘hope candidate’ in the race to succeed Boris Johnson, says third-placed candidate
Namita Singh2 August 2022 05:49
Liz Truss slammed for pay cut plan
Liz Truss last night revealed plans to cut pay for public sector workers – including teachers and nurses – outside the wealthy south-east in a bid to save £11bn. Labour said the idea would sound the death-knell for the government’s “levelling-up” agenda by widening the regional income gap.
The Tory leadership frontrunner presented her plan as a “war on Whitehall waste” that would also see civil service holiday entitlements slashed.
In a warning of confrontation with Whitehall if she succeeds Boris Johnson on 5 September, the PCS civil service union said she could expect “opposition every step of the way”.
And Labour accused her of “declaring war on herself with her fantasy recipe for levelling down”.
Read the details in this report from our political editor Andrew Woodcock:
Liz Truss plan means lower pay for public service workers in poorer areas
Unions say favourite for PM’s job will face ‘opposition every step of the way’ if she pushes plans through
Namita Singh2 August 2022 05:39
Welcome to The Independent’s UK politics blog for 2 August 2022, where we provide you with the latest on everything buzzing in Westminster.
Namita Singh2 August 2022 05:10
