RISHI SUNAK is the 'tax-cutting conservative who would storm the next election', Jeremy Hunt says.

Speaking at a Conservative party event in Romsey, the former Foreign Secretary, who is backing Sunak in the Tory leadership race, said the Southampton-born candidate is the Party’s best chance to win the next general election.

At the event hosted by Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, he said: “Right now, the most important thing to tackle in the British economy is inflation.

“Rishi Sunak absolutely understands Thatcher’s fundamental idea that without sound money everything else goes wrong. He is a tax-cutting conservative and is absolutely committed to cutting taxes.”

The MP for South-West Surrey added: "I know under him, we would storm the next election because Rishi has the skill to appeal to people who are not conservative. This is the kind of person who will bring the country together after a very difficult period".

Read More: Rishi Sunak returns to Southampton after visit to Isle of Wight

Mr Hunt answered questions from party members who attended the event on a range of topics from the NHS, to corporation tax.

Questions were also asked about what members should make of polls, as the latest by YouGov show Sunak is behind Truss among Conservative voters.

In response, Mr Hunt said: “From the polls, I have seen, the undecided is still a very high chunk and so the figures I always look at in those polls is what proportion of people have not yet made their mind. So, I absolutely believe there is all to play for.”

For many who attended, it confirmed their early intention to vote for Sunak.

Party member, Katherine Milson, 65, said: “I am glad I came as it confirmed my vote. The takeaway that I got from today is that there isn’t a simple solution to this and that Rishi has the experience and commitment to this. He’ll be able to stand on a national and international stage to help solve the problems.”

Roy Perry, former leader of Hampshire County Council said: “I was always going to support Rishi Sunak as he is a local person.

“On the tax issue, politicians need to be very careful on giving people whatever they want, it’s their job to weigh up the difficult decisions and I think he has taken some great decisions.

“I think Rishi is the calm and thoughtful politician that will get the support of local people, I also think he’s made a broader appeal to the wider electorate.”

Caroline Nokes, added: “Rishi is being honest and that really matters.  

"What we hear from him is a message that is quite tough and that is perhaps suggesting we are going to go through difficult times but people respect you when you tell them the truth and I think what we have from Liz is the determination to paint a rosy picture that nobody believes.”

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak are the two final candidates for the leadership contest for the Conservative Party.

The winner will be announced on September 5 and will take over from Boris Johnson as the next Prime Minister

 

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