Mel slams 'reckless' economic policies of Tory rivals

LABOUR and Nigel Farage are as dangerous as each other for the future safety of the British economy, Sir Mel Stride has warned.

- By Martyn Brown POLITICAL EDITOR

The Shadow Chancellor said their reckless policies will inflict untold damage for many years ahead.

His blistering attack comes as the economy continues to underperform and millions of households face the daunting prospect of more tax rises when Rachel Reeves delivers her Budget next month.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Express, Sir Mel insisted only the Conservatives can be fully trusted to look after the country's purse strings.

And in a reassuring move for many of our readers he reconfirmed the party "remains committed" to the pensions triple lock.

Speaking on the eve of the Conservative Party annual conference, which kicks off in Manchester today, the veteran Tory took aim at both the Chancellor and Reform UK.

"I think they're both dangerous. The Labour Party brought us into this mess, and I don't think they know the way out," he said.

"Then you have Nigel Farage and Reform who are fantasy economists who will promise all sorts of things without any clear plans on how we're going to deliver on that.

"And the reason I think that's dangerous is it leads you into a lot of unfunded commitments."

"We've seen where that can lead in the past. If they were in No 10 and No 11 now and doing the things they say they do, the wheels would come off the economy very quickly. And I think we'd all suffer a great deal," he added.