Ms Truss’s speech and answers to questions from the press gave new details of the political platform she hopes can still get her into the final run-off of two MPs who will face the vote of Tory MPs.
She told The Telegraph that she wants defense spending to be three percent of GDP by the end of the decade – well above NATO’s current target of two percent. The UK currently spends around 2.3 per cent of GDP on defence.
Her aim will involve spending tens of billions of pounds more on defence. Ms Truss cited the Russian invasion of Ukraine to justify the need for an increase.
The move also outstrips the position of Rishi Sunak, the former chancellor who has the most support from his fellow MPs in the race so far. He failed to promise an increase in defense spending.
Mrs Truss also confirmed she would continue Boris Johnson’s policy of deporting some migrants who arrived in the UK illegally to Rwanda, saying she “fully” supported the drive.
During the speech, Ms Truss argued that she was in a better position to manage the economy than Mr Sunak or Penny Mordaunt, the trade secretary who has the second most support from MPs. Mrs. Truss is third.
“Now is the time to be brave. We cannot have economic management as usual that has led us to low growth decade after decade,” Ms Truss said, taking a swipe at Mr Sunak.
She later added: “I have a plan to transform Britain into a high-growth economy over the next ten years through bold supply-side reform.
“We will cut taxes to help businesses invest in their future, tackle the cost of energy and control government spending.”
She also emphasized her electability over other candidates.
Mrs Truss said: “Let me be clear, Labor is beatable. Liberals are beatable. Not much support for Sir Keir Starmer or Sir Ed Davey.
“But the British people are crying out for a united and modern Conservative government, ready with the courage of its convictions to deliver on its promises.”
“So my friends, you can trust me to grow the economy, put money back in people’s pockets and help hard-pressed families.
“Together we will elevate the country in a conservative way … making it a nation of aspirations.”
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