Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, has refused to guarantee that she will reverse Rachel Reeves’ increase in the National Insurance tax for employers. She says she is more focused on setting out her party’s values than changing policies.
In an interview with BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mrs. Badenoch criticized Chancellor Reeves’ plan to raise taxes and spend more money, saying it will make Britain poorer. The 1.2% increase in National Insurance contributions for employers is meant to bring in £25 billion, but it has upset many businesses.
Mrs. Badenoch said that raising taxes won’t help the economy grow and will make people poorer. She promised to reverse the Labour Party’s plan to charge VAT on private schools, calling it against Conservative values.
As the leader of the opposition, Mrs. Badenoch emphasized the importance of unity and a shadow cabinet that is based on merit, bringing in both diversity and experience. She dismissed Nigel Farage’s claim that she would just offer more of the same, arguing that the Conservatives’ return to their core values will show a different approach.
