Michael Gove backs Rishi Sunak for Tory frontman as he accuses Liz Truss of taking “holiday from reality” | Political news
Michael Gove has backed Rishi Sunak to be the next prime minister and Conservative Party leader, as he accused Liz Truss of taking “a break from reality”.
The former Cabinet Secretary, who was sacked by Boris Johnson after telling the Prime Minister he should step down last month, says tax cuts are not the answer to the cost of living crisis.
In an unequivocal assessment of Ms Truss’ proposals, he wrote in The Times: “I am deeply concerned that many people’s framing of the leadership debate has been a holiday from reality.
“The answer to the cost of living crisis cannot be simply denying continued ‘support’ and tax cuts.”
Mr Gove also indicated that he would not return to front-line politics, whoever becomes the next Prime Minister.
“I don’t expect to return to government,” he wrote. “But it has been the privilege of my life to spend 11 years in the cabinet under three prime ministers.”
“I know what the job entails. And Rishi has it.”
He added: “The proposed cuts to national insurance would benefit the wealthy, and the changes to the corporate tax apply to large businesses, not small businesses.
“I can’t see how protecting the stock options of the FTSE 100 executives should be prioritized over supporting the poorest people in our society, but when the time comes, it does.” cannot be the right priority.”
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What is the status of the Tory leadership race?
Mr Gove, who initially supported Kemi Badenoch in the early stages of the leadership contest, also said he did not believe “Mrs Truss’ prospectus is the right answer for the world we face”. .
“It doesn’t address the underlying problems of overlooked potential, stifled productivity and vulnerable people suffering the most.”
The former promotion secretary also criticized his Conservative colleagues, who had backed Ms Truss for following the “SW1 consensus”, saying: “A convoy is landing in Whitehall with believers Newbies are eager to board the train.”
There has also been criticism of Liz Truss’ plan to lift the ban on grammar schools, which she said would give parents the option of sending their children to them – with him. Gove notes that “there is no money to build them nor proof that they conduct. social mobility”.
Sunak’s campaign welcomed his support, with a spokeswoman saying: “Nice to have the support of a Party and Cabinet veteran who has wisdom and expression. his zeal for radical reform in everything he did, which we desperately needed.”
