Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has launched the Conservative Party’s General Election manifesto in a high-profile event at Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix, following a turbulent few day marked by his absence at the D-Day commemorations.
Sunak’s manifesto, aimed at revitalising the Conservatives’ prospects, is built around a series of economic and social pledges designed to appeal to a broad electorate. The key promises include further cuts to national insurance, the elimination of capital gains tax for landlords selling properties to their tenants, and the introduction of “protected pensions.” A significant pledge to halve migration and establish regular flights to Rwanda for Channel-crossing migrants also featured prominently.
“The launch of our party’s manifesto signifies that our economy has truly turned a corner,” Sunak declared. He emphasised that the proposed policies would foster “more British success stories,” taking repeated jabs at Labour and its leader Keir Starmer. “Now is the time for bold action, not an uncertain Keir Starmer as our prime minister,” he asserted.
In a rare moment of candor, Sunak acknowledged past missteps by his party. “We have not always got everything right,” he admitted, an unusual concession for a manifesto launch.
Key Proposals
National Insurance Cuts: The manifesto commits to reducing employee National Insurance by April 2027 and scrapping the main rate of self-employed National Insurance by the end of the parliamentary term.
Capital Gains Tax and Property Sales: Landlords selling properties to their tenants would no longer be subject to capital gains tax, an effort to boost homeownership.
Migration Policies: A “regular rhythm” of flights to Rwanda will transport migrants who cross the Channel, with a promise to halve migration and reduce it annually.
Housing Initiatives: Recent announcements included a stamp duty cut for first-time buyers, a new Help to Buy scheme, and tax cuts for landlords facilitating tenant purchases.
Opposition Reactions
Labour quickly responded to the Conservative manifesto, with national campaign coordinator Pat McFadden labelling it “a recipe for five more years of Tory chaos.” He criticised the pledges as “stuffed full of unfunded spending commitments,” likening the plans to “the chaos of Liz Truss.” McFadden argued that the public is “still paying the price of the Conservatives crashing the economy,” and predicted higher mortgages and a weaker economy under continued Conservative governance.
The Liberal Democrats, who had unveiled their manifesto the previous day, were equally scathing. Deputy leader Daisy Cooper seized on Sunak’s admission of public frustration, declaring, “Rishi Sunak got one thing right in this speech. This manifesto isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. No one will believe anything they’re promising today.”
As the election campaign heats up, the Conservatives hope their ambitious proposals will resonate with voters, despite scepticism and criticism from opposition parties.
