Liz Truss: ‘I will act immediately’ on energy bills
The Sunday interview shows have returned just in time for the conclusion of the Conservative leadership contest. This morning, both candidates for the top job appeared on a revamped BBC programme opposite Laura Kuenssberg. With the last votes cast on Friday, the expectation is that Liz Truss will be taking over the reins from Boris Johnson. Kuenssberg asked Truss for her response to one of the country’s most pressing concerns: the enormous rise in energy bills:
Truss: ‘I support exploring fracking’
Going into more detail, Truss said that she would be looking into expanding the UK’s domestic energy supply in a variety of ways, including the controversial practice of fracking for shale gas:
Sturgeon said she hoped to have a constructive relationship with Truss, but chose to lob a grenade into the mix anyway
Truss: Cancelling National Insurance rise ‘is fair’:
Kuenssberg also challenged the Foreign Secretary about her tax plans, a key dividing line between her and her opponent Rishi Sunak. Truss has been a vocal critic of the rise in National Insurance, which involved the Conservatives breaking a 2019 manifesto commitment:
Nicola Sturgeon: If Liz Truss governs as she campaigns, ‘she will be a disaster’
Sophy Ridge also made her return on Sky News, beginning the programme by interviewing the First Minister of Scotland. When the subject of the new prime minister came up, Sturgeon said she hoped to have a constructive relationship, but chose to lob a grenade into the mix anyway:
Rishi Sunak: I would provide direct payments for energy bills
Though everyone is expecting the Tory leadership race to be a foregone conclusion, it is fair to say that stranger things have happened in recent years than a surprise win by Rishi Sunak. Kuenssberg asked the former chancellor about his plans to help with energy bills:
Emily Thornberry: Truss cannot answer key question on fuel bills
The shadow attorney general joined a panel critiquing the performances of the leadership candidates. Thornberry took particular aim at Truss, arguing that her promises of support were far too vague:
Lord Lister: ‘Never say never’ with Boris Johnson
And finally, Ridge spoke to Lord Edward Lister, who served as Boris Johnson’s chief of staff during the first half of his tenure in Downing Street. She asked him if the rumours were true that Johnson didn’t see himself as out for the count yet:
“Never say never with Boris Johnson.”
“Never say never with Boris Johnson.”
— Sophy Ridge on Sunday & The Take (@RidgeOnSunday) September 4, 2022
Lord Lister says MPs “overreacted” to the scandals that led to the prime minister’s downfall, adding “he may be tempted” to run again as party leader ‘if the ball comes loose in the scrum’.#Ridge: https://t.co/ZoMhCmTrtv
📺 Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/y61CAj1KE1
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