Minister: Months to go before next election

TORIES ARE GASLIGHTING’ THE PUBLIC SAYS RACHEL REEVES

- Nicholas Cecil and Rachael Burford

A SNAP general election this summer was ruled out by a Cabinet minister after the hammering for the Tories in the local and mayoral elections.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride strongly signalled that the general election would be in the autumn. Despite voters delivering a damning verdict on the Conservatives in the elections last week, he insisted “good stuff” was now happening and the economy was turning the corner.

But shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves accused the Government of “gas-lighting” the public with its claims about the economy, saying ministers’ over-optimistic statements were “out of touch” with many Britons still struggling with the cost of living. Mr Stride, though, highlighted inflation down from 11.1 per cent to 3.2 per cent, real wages increasing and taxes “beginning to fall”.