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Conservative leader hopeful Robert Jenrick has promised to unite a divided party and introduce economic policies that would deliver a 2p cut in income tax.
Speaking GB NewsJenrick outlined his vision for a more cohesive Conservative Party, while highlighting his business background as a key driver of his economic strategy.
“I have friends across the party, and I believe our party should be a broad church,” Jenrick said. “I want it to have all the traditions of our party… and I want to unite the party, that is my nature.”
Jenrick criticized the recent internal party conflict, calling it a “disgrace” and blaming factionalism for the loss of good councilors and MPs. “That can never happen again,” he said, adding his desire to end the political infighting.
Economic Vision
When asked about his economic policies, Jenrick emphasized his business roots, explaining that his upbringing in a small family business has shaped his understanding of what it takes to support economic growth. “My father left school at the age of 16… I helped him in his shop. I know what it takes to grow businesses and support our economy,” he said.
He stressed the need for a return to higher economic growth and claimed the party had failed to deliver on promises of a strong economy. “We have been through a period of low economic growth, and that needs to change,” Jenrick said.
Among his key policy proposals, Jenrick pledged to deliver a robust plan to grow the economy by focusing on key areas such as:
Welfare reform: He pledged to help people leave welfare and enter work to ensure a sustainable workforce and avoid dependence on foreign labor.
Energy Strategy: Jenrick called for investment in nuclear power stations and confirmed that gas is “here to stay” to ensure businesses have access to cheap, reliable energy.
Infrastructure development: He stressed the importance of encouraging the construction of factories, offices and data centers to support the competitiveness of companies on a global scale.
Jenrick also criticized the current tax burden, arguing that high taxes hinder growth. He proposed a reduction in government spending, in particular by rolling back the social security bill to pre-COVID levels, which he said would allow a 2p cut on income tax. “It is possible to have a smaller state and a more competitive economy,” he concluded.
While Jenrick positions himself as a unifying candidate with a clear economic agenda, his leadership challenge rests on bridging divisions within the Conservative Party and delivering on promises of lower taxes and higher growth.