PM TAKES FIGHT TO STARMER

Rishi to put Labour leader on spot after public backs Tory shift on net zero

- David Williamson and Jonathan Walker

'PM will show voters he is on their side'

RISHI SUNAK is set to unleash a blitz of radical policies to put clear blue water between Labour and the Tories. 

The PM is drawing up a wave of eye-catching announcements aimed at boosting his party’s popularity – and exploiting Sir Keir Starmer’s weaknesses.

He will throw caution to the wind by entering policy areas where he believes his opponent will fear to tread, including an overhaul of inheritance tax. Buoyed by the public approval of his green climbdown, he aims to confront a range of other controversial issues head-on. Downing Street said he won’t flinch from tackling difficult areas of public concern, regardless of the reaction from “social media commentators”.

Mr Sunak fired the starting gun on the general election campaign when he tore up the net-zero timetable last week.

The move outraged Left-wingers, TV pundits and establishment figures. Many claimed it would cost him votes when Britain goes to the polls next year.

But an exclusive Sunday Express poll found seven in 10 people would not be willing to accept lower living standards in order to meet climate change targets.

A separate survey has found a narrow majority were in favour of Mr Sunak’s announcement on green targets.

Tory MPs believe an election victory is still within his grasp, because not only are the middle classes indifferent towards Sir Keir, but “working-class voters are actively hostile to him”.

Mr Sunak will deliver one of the most important speeches of his life next week when he takes the party conference stage in Manchester for the first time as Prime Minister.

MPs want policies they know Labour would never offer.