Salfordians have backed growing calls for Liz Truss to resign as Prime Minister after recent economic chaos has left her struggling to keep her authority.
Newly-appointed chancellor Jeremy Hunt yesterday announced a complete U-turn on the government’s plans to slash taxes and cap energy prices – proposals originally put forward by Kwasi Kwarteng.
The move, which has cast further doubt over the PM’s premiership, has resulted in calls for her to resign amid growing concerns over Britain’s financial security and a lack of powerful leadership.
As a city already struggling with high levels of deprivation, Salford is being hit badly by the cost-of-living crisis and fed-up residents are angry about the worsening situation.
Speaking to Salford Now at the precinct, one woman said: “I voted for Boris Johnson, but I wouldn’t vote for her (Truss). Bring Boris back.”
A man added: “I would have personally left Boris Johnson in, I know he’s a bit of a clown and he’s made mistakes, and he’s lied and this that and the other, but at least he can talk to people.
“He did quite a few good things. They wouldn’t have been in the mess they’re in now if they’d have left him in.”
Mr Hunt, who was only appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer on Friday, set out his fiscal plan before making a more detailed statement in the House of Commons chamber.
One of the main changes Mr Hunt announced was a U-turn to the energy price guarantee, which the Prime Minister originally said would be in place for two years. This will now only be in place until April, when a treasury-led review will take place.
SNAP POLL: A majority of Conservative party members want Liz Truss to resign
All members
Resign: 55%
Stay: 38%Truss voters
Resign: 39%
Stay: 57%https://t.co/ftgIKn7xZv pic.twitter.com/PGwCCtkamr— YouGov (@YouGov) October 18, 2022
The review will depend on the international energy markets and how much energy prices have increased or decreased by April next year.
Under the initial plans set out in September, the average household’s fuel bills would have been limited to around £2,500 per annum.
Just before Mr Hunt’s announcement, Salford Mayor Paul Dennett tweeted: ”Tory economic incompetence has sent inflation spiralling and interest rates rising, whilst also crashing our economy with their mini budget.
“This makes a mockery of the PM’s “Growth, Growth, Growth” rhetoric!”
Mr Hunt said an emergency statement was necessary to avoid “unhelpful speculation”.
He also said that plans to cut income tax were a “deeply held Conservative belief” but not one he felt was right for this moment in time. He added that his new plan would raise around £32 billion for the economy.
The new chancellor has only kept the stamp duty cut, the National Insurance cut and the first-time buyers’ duty cut from the so-called ‘mini budget’ ‘from predecessor Kwarteng.
Mr Hunt also announced that “departments will need to find savings and cuts” although it is unclear if this meant a return to the previous austerity policies pursued under David Cameron’s coalition government.
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