Rishi Sunak is promising big tax cuts in the Tory manifesto (Picture: Reuters)
The Conservatives are looking to relaunch their flagging campaign with a manifesto containing a string of giveaways, including further cuts to income tax, national insurance and an expansion to child benefits.
Cabinet minister Mel Stride has vowed there will be ‘no tax rises’ if the Tories win the election, while prime minister Rishi Sunak doubled down on a disputed claim that Labour will raise household taxes by £2,000 a year if they take office.
Scroll down or click here to go straight to our live updates
But rogue Tories, including Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick, are reportedly planning their own ‘counter-manifesto’ in the event the official one falls flat, and could launch it hold an emergency press conference to launch it over the next few days.
A former cabinet minister said the rebel manifesto could be published if Sunak’s promises continue to fall flat with voters, adding: ‘We’ll just have to see what emerges.’
One Tory source said: ‘Sunak doesn’t want to leave. This is just language to appease the right. It’s signalling. There’s no way he wants a cabinet row over this in the middle of the campaign, and some of his ministers are firmly against.’
The 2024 General Election – Metro style
Not sure what to make of the General Election? We got you.
In your inbox
Follow the battle for No 10 with our free weekly newsletter, bringing you easy-to-read breakdowns and straightforward analysis.
What really matters to you
We focus on the issues that our readers care about. Explore parties’ policies on immigration, LGBTQ+ rights and more.
On mobile
Join us on WhatsApp for a daily selection of news and opinion as the election madness gets underway. And don’t forget to turn notifications on!
On TikTok
Fact-checking? Yes. Voters’ opinions? Yes. Dogs at polling stations? Also yes. Follow us on TikTok.
Labour has responded by saying Sunak is ‘taking people for fools’ over his tax cut pledges.