Rishi Sunak: Don’t let frustration with me hand Starmer a supermajority

Rishi Sunak, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer in the United Kingdom, made an appeal to the public during his Conservative Party Conference speech in October 2021. In his speech, he urged the audience not to let their frustration with the political situation or with him in particular lead them to vote for the Labour Party under Keir Starmer in the next general election. Instead, he promised that the Conservative Party would continue to fight for the interests of the people by cutting taxes and ensuring their voices are heard in Parliament.

Let's delve deeper into each of these promises made by Rishi Sunak during his speech:

1. Cutting taxes: The Conservative Party has a long-standing commitment to tax cuts, especially income tax cuts. In his Budget announcements in March 2021, Rishi Sunak introduced several tax measures aimed at helping individuals and businesses recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These included increasing the personal allowance to £12,570 (an increase of £1,260), raising the higher-rate threshold to £50,270 (an increase of £3,040), and freezing fuel duty for another year. Additionally, the party has pledged to maintain the 0% rate of Capital Gains Tax for basic-rate taxpayers, which was introduced in 2016.

2. Making sure voices are heard: The Conservative Party has historically been known for its commitment to representing the interests of its constituents. In recent years, this has been demonstrated through various policies aimed at giving more power to local communities and increasing transparency in government. For instance, the party has introduced several initiatives to strengthen local democracy, such as Neighborhood Plans, which allow communities to shape development in their areas, and the Community Right to Build, which enables local groups to develop small-scale projects without needing to go through lengthy planning processes. Furthermore, the government has committed to increasing transparency by publishing data on MPs' expenses and implementing Freedom of Information legislation.

3. Frustration with Rishi Sunak or the Conservative Party: It's important to note that there have been instances of public frustration towards Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party, particularly regarding their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis. Critics argue that the government's response has been slow and inadequate, leading to widespread job losses, business closures, and increased poverty. However, Sunak's speech was an attempt to reassure the public that the party was still working to address their concerns and that their voices would be heard.

In summary, during his speech at the Conservative Party Conference in 2021, Rishi Sunak emphasized the party's commitment to cutting taxes and ensuring that the public's voices are heard in Parliament. He made these promises in response to potential frustration from the public towards him and the Conservative Party, particularly regarding their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences. The party's historical commitment to tax cuts and local democracy, as well as recent policy initiatives, serve as evidence of these promises.