"I'm not blind to the fact that people are frustrated with our party and frustrated with me," he said at the launch of the Conservatives' manifesto, setting out its future policy pledges. "Things have not always been easy, and we have not got everything right, but we are the only party in this election with the big ideas to make our country a better place to live. "This is a recipe for five more years of Tory chaos, which will leave the British people paying the price," said Labour's would-be finance minister Rachel Reeves.Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, described the tax cuts as "giveaways paid for by uncertain, unspecific and apparently victimless savings. ""Forgive a degree of scepticism," he said.As part of the pledges, Sunak said he would help the self-employed by abolishing their main National Insurance rate by the end of the next parliament, a possible boost to 4.3 million people who make up around 13% of all employment.But so far, Sunak's message has failed to dent the Labour lead. Some polls show many voters want change and greater investment in public services rather than tax cuts, which they have yet to feel the benefit from.Others are still grappling with the fallout from Truss's chaotic tenure.The Conservatives also now face a challenge from the right-wing Reform UK party, which, under the leadership of Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, has vowed to lead a "revolt" against the Conservatives.Labour will launch its manifesto on Thursday.

Source: The Times June 11, 2024 19:15 UTC