Rachel Reeves Criticizes Sunak's £64bn Tax Pledges as Reckless

Rachel Reeves Criticizes Sunak's £64bn Tax Pledges

Last Updated: 02 Mar 2025
Fact Checked Our team recently fact checked this article for accuracy. However, things do change, so please do your own research.

Writer

Editor

Reviewer

Founder:

Rachel Reeves condemns the Conservatives for £64bn in unfunded tax pledges, calling them "desperate and reckless" as the snap election looms. Labour positions itself as the party of fiscal responsibility.

Labour's Accusations Against Conservative Tax Promises

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has accused the Conservatives of making £64 billion in unfunded spending commitments in what she describes as a "desperate and reckless" move to salvage their troubled election campaign. Speaking to the Observer, Reeves likened these promises to Liz Truss's disastrous mini-budget, suggesting the Tories have learned nothing from past mistakes.

Conservative Campaign Chaos

Early Election Decision Sparks Controversy

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's decision to call a snap election for 4 July has triggered internal strife within the Conservative Party. Many Tory MPs believe the early election date is ill-timed, not allowing sufficient opportunity for economic improvements to influence voter sentiment. The resulting blunders have marred the early campaign, including a PR mishap during Sunak's visit to Belfast's Titanic Quarter and a slew of resignations from senior Tory MPs.

Internal Tory Discontent

Backlash Within the Party

Reports indicate that several senior Conservative figures, including Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Chief of Staff Liam Booth-Smith, were consulted on the election date. Despite campaign chief Isaac Levido's preference for an autumn election, Sunak proceeded with his decision. This move has been met with frustration from Tory insiders who criticize the No 10 team's inexperience and poor judgment.

Sunak's Controversial Campaign Strategies

National Service Proposal

In an effort to revitalize his campaign, Sunak announced plans to reintroduce mandatory national service. This initiative, aimed at attracting voters leaning towards Reform UK, would require 18-year-olds to participate in military or civil service. This announcement followed Sunak's use of a donor's helicopter to attend a campaign event, further highlighting the chaotic nature of his campaign.

Labour's Fiscal Responsibility Message

Rachel Reeves's Response

Rachel Reeves emphasized that the Conservative tax cuts, which include reductions in national insurance, income tax, and inheritance tax, total £64 billion in unfunded commitments. She accused Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt of desperation and recklessness, drawing parallels to the economic turmoil caused by Liz Truss's mini-budget.

“After a chaotic start to their campaign, the Conservatives are now throwing around billions of pounds of unfunded tax cuts in a desperate attempt to cling on to power," Reeves stated. She stressed that Labour is committed to fiscal responsibility, positioning the party as a stabilizing force for the economy.

Labour's Campaign Strategy

Targeting Fiscal Conservatism

Labour is leveraging Reeves's message to appeal to voters who prioritize economic stability. Following a Daily Mail headline quoting Reeves's commitment to "sound money," Labour aims to persuade voters, particularly in traditionally Conservative areas, that it is the party of fiscal responsibility and security.

Tory Party Challenges

Resignations and Election Strategy

The Conservative Party faces additional challenges as more MPs, including Michael Gove, Andrea Leadsom, and Greg Clark, announce their resignation from marginal seats. The lack of a cohesive strategy to retain these seats exacerbates the party's difficulties. A former minister noted that unlike in 1997, there has been no effort to convince MPs to remain in winnable seats, diminishing the party's electoral strength.

Polling and Election Outlook

Current Polling Data

Despite the turbulent start to their campaign, the Conservatives can draw some encouragement from recent polling data. An Opinium poll for the Observer shows Labour's lead at 14%, down four percentage points from the previous week, with Labour at 41% and the Conservatives at 27%. However, Labour remains vigilant, recognizing that the Conservatives will have their moments of success during the campaign.