Conservative leadership hopeful, Penny Mordaunt has called for an end to toxic politics, saying the focus needs to be on picking a new prime minister. She is one of five candidates left in the leadership race, ahead of the next round of voting on Monday, July 18, 2022.
Penny Mordaunt, second in the contest according to the latest round of MPs’ votes said the cost-of-living crisis was her priority. She said she planned to halve VAT on petrol and raise tax thresholds, saying they represented a modest set of changes to help people who are struggling. Mordaunt acknowledged that her plans to cut taxes would lead to increased government borrowing to fund day-to-day spending.
Speaking on Sky News, former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith appealed for all the candidates in the leadership race to be judged on their records and achievements. “But for me, the key thing is we’re not electing a leader of the Conservative Party that has two years to build their reputation, we are electing someone who will be prime minister on day one.” He added that questions should be asked of candidates about their achievements in government, their beliefs, and tough decisions they have had to take.
