Rishi Sunak has warned Liz Truss risks tipping millions into "economic misery" and fuelling inflation with her economic proposals, as the pair trashed each other's policy platforms in an acrimonious debate.
Hitting out at the foreign secretary's £30bn-plus tax cut plans, the former chancellor claimed there was "nothing Conservative" about her approach, with the party having "absolutely no chance" of winning the next election.
In their first head-to-head debate in the final stage of the Tory leadership contest, Ms Truss hit back, accusing Mr Sunak of "scaremongering" and "Project Fear" - a term Brexiteers used to dismiss the economic warnings of the Remain camp in 2016.
While both suggested more help for the British public on rocketing energy bills if they replace Boris Johnson in No 10, Ms Truss also went on to claim Mr Sunak's current proposals would tip the country into recession.
"This chancellor has raised taxes to the highest rate in 70 years and we're now predicted a recession," she said. "The truth is in the figures".
This story is from the July 26, 2022 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 26, 2022 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Students arrested as police break up pro-Gaza protests
Officers in New York stormed Columbia University building
Scientists use skull to build face of Neanderthal woman
A 75,000-year-old Neanderthal skeleton found in the foothills of Iraq is believed to have been a woman aged in her mid-forties, according to researchers who pieced her skull back together.
Netanyahu tells Blinken he will not end war on Hamas as part of deal for hostages
Benjamin Netanyahu is said to have told Antony Blinken he would not accept an end to the war in Gaza as part of a potential ceasefire and hostage deal.
Make WhatsApp lobbying more transparent, urge MPS
Reform called for after Cameron’s Greensill Covid messages
Labour fails in bid to unseat Scotland's SNP government
Labour’s attempt to unseat Scotland’s SNP government failed yesterday after the Greens voted against a motion of no confidence in Humza Yousaf’s minority administration.
Conservative mayor points finger at Sunak before polls
High-profile Tory mayor Ben Houchen has lashed out at the state of the Conservative Party under Rishi Sunak as he battles to hold on to his job running Tees Valley.
Can Panesar spin his way into House of Commons?
The ex-England cricketer is an aspiring MP... but a Labour majority could leave him stumped, writes Sean O’Grady
Red Bull design 'supremo' to step down at end of year
Adrian Newey, the design genius who has masterminded Red Bull’s current domination in Formula One, will leave the world champions in early 2025 and “seek new challenges” in the sport.
Throwback Alvarez shapes up for Mexican fight fest
The super-middleweight champion takes on his unbeaten compatriot Jaime Munguia on Cinco de Mayo weekend
Bellingham's muted display saved by menace of Madrid
It’s the sort of image you can see being brought up in the future, maybe even this summer.