From the cost of the living crisis to the controversial Rwanda immigration scheme, both candidates have a fine line to balance between gaining party support in the present and preserving the public’s favour in the future.
Economics
The economy is one of the most crucial issues for both candidates to get right. Leader of the opposition Keir Starmer has repeatedly stated that the “next election will be fought on the economy”. With the cost of living crisis and a flood of strikes waiting for whoever wins the leadership race, both Sunak and Truss need a strong plan for the U.K’s economy.
Truss’ approach to regenerating economic growth focuses on tax cuts rather than tax rises. Controversially, Truss has suggested regional pay boards for civil service workers, meaning wages could be set to match the region’s cost of living. However, with the admission that the policy could create pay cuts for many civil service roles -including nurses and teachers- Truss was forced to revoke her policy from her campaign.
Rishi Sunak has an uphill climb when it comes to economic policy, his position as chancellor prior to his Prime Ministerial aspirations has caused rebuff from a selection of commentators and MPs alike. Early into the leadership race, Sunak often claimed to be the “Thatcherite candidate” and continually called Truss’ plans for tax cuts “morally wrong”
“What’s morally wrong is asking our children to pick up the tab for the bills that we’re not prepared to meet”
Rishi Sunak
However, with Truss establishing a 34-point lead over Sunak in the latest YouGov polls Rishi has retracted his previous economic plans, instead planning a 4% cut to income tax by 2029 in a hasty attempt to regain voters.
Immigration
Despite claiming to be a “product of immigration” Sunak’s leadership gambit has revolved largely around his 10-point plan to fix the U.K’s immigration crisis. Calling it his largest priority after “tackling the NHS backlog”. Sunak has also emphasised his enthusiasm for the Rwanda immigration scheme which aims to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda- roughly 4,000 miles from the U.K.
“It is essential that anyone considering trying to sneak into Britain knows that their journey ends in Kigali, not King’s Cross”
Rishi Sunak
Similarly, Truss has taken a staunch anti-immigration stance throughout the leadership race, vouching to increase border patrols at the English channel. Moreover, when commenting on the Rwanda policy scheme, she has repeatedly stated her support of the scheme and suggested expanding it further to include additional countries.
Brexit
Originally, Truss was an avid remainer, voting against Brexit in 2016. Today however, Truss is a keen supporter of the benefits of Brexit, and the possibilities of new trade deals outside Europe.
“Leave cannot name one country we would get a better trade deal with if we left the EU”
Liz Truss, 2016
Her post-Brexit plan focuses largely on lingering European legislation. Truss has promised to review all European legislation by the end of 2023 in a bid to strengthen our demarcation with the European Union. Rishi Sunak however, is highly critical of Truss’ plans.
Despite similar plans to remove or review all European legislation by 2023. Sunak has frequently attacked Truss’ plans and her position as an ex-remainer. Sunak instead has tried to sell himself as the leader who “put principals first” by backing the “agility, flexibility and freedom provided by Brexit”
So, as the Conservatives cast their ballots, their two candidates veer closer and closer politically and ideologically in a bid to steal final voters from their opponent. However, as we reach ever closer to the final results, it seems that the election is verging on a microcosm of politics with the minute details between Sunak and Truss’ policies deciding who will become the UK’s next Prime Minister.