Tories Launch Manifesto, Sunak Vows National Insurance Reduction
The Conservative Party has unveiled its 76-page manifesto, promising to further lower national insurance and completely abolish stamp duty.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced the Conservative Party’s general election manifesto, aiming to reduce national insurance by an additional 2 pence per pound and eventually eliminate it altogether.
At the launch event held at Silverstone race track in Northamptonshire, Mr. Sunak stated, “The past few years have been some of the most challenging our country has faced in decades.”
“We faced challenges like COVID-19 and the conflict in Ukraine, but now economic stability is returning,” he continued. “Inflation is back to normal, real wages have been increasing for almost a year, and the economy is growing healthily once more.”
Mr. Sunak added, “The question now is, who is best equipped to turn that foundation into a secure future for you, your family, and our country? This manifesto lays out our clear plan for the United Kingdom.”
- “Halve migration as we have halved inflation and then reduce it every single year.”
- “Completely eliminate the main rate of self-employed national insurance.”
- “Deliver 1.6 million new homes by accelerating planning on brownfield sites in inner cities and removing flawed EU laws.”
The Tories also mentioned, “We will reduce employee national insurance to 6 percent by April 2027, cutting it in half from 12 percent at the beginning of this year, resulting in a total tax reduction of £1,350 for the average worker earning £35,000.”
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The prime minister warned against Labour’s retirement tax proposal, highlighting the risks for those dependent solely on the new state pension, who would be subject to income tax for the first time. He emphasized that “your pension simply isn’t safe with the Labour Party.”
National service had been discontinued in 1960.
The prime minister also confirmed intentions to amend the Equality Act to safeguard single-sex spaces like public restrooms and introduce legislation clarifying that the protected characteristic of sex in the Equality Act refers to “biological sex.”
During his speech, the prime minister reiterated his trustworthiness in navigating a tumultuous world, citing conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, and challenges posed by China.
Sunak Pledges to Cap Migration
Mr. Sunak emphasized that Britain had regained control of its borders post-Brexit but noted that immigration levels were still excessive. He committed to implementing a cap on migration, set by Parliament.
He criticized Labour’s lack of a clear plan to address illegal immigration, especially concerning their intention to abolish the government’s Rwanda policy.
Directly addressing the electorate, Mr. Sunak cautioned against the potential consequences of choosing Labour, highlighting increased taxes, French-style labor laws leading to higher unemployment and strikes, escalating welfare costs, higher immigration rates, and additional expenses related to net-zero initiatives.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, while visiting Middlesbrough, defended his party’s fully-costed manifesto and criticized the Tories for adopting Corbyn-style manifesto tactics.
Sir Keir, part of the shadow cabinet that formulated the Labour manifesto under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership in 2019, remarked on the lack of costing in the Tory manifesto, labeling it a rehash of existing policies without a solid financial framework.
Farage Criticizes Tory Manifesto
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, campaigning in South Yorkshire, lashed out at the Tory manifesto launch, calling it a fabrication of lies.
Mr. Farage criticized the Tories for failing to fulfill past promises related to immigration and tax reduction, highlighting the current high tax burden. He questioned the longevity of Mr. Sunak’s tenure, suggesting that without an impending election, he would have been ousted by now.
PA Media contributed to this report.
