Is he fated to be a fire-fighter, a leader grappling with crisis? Or can he find the political space to deliver a more personal message – perhaps to do with education?
A lower tax burden will be impossible without less supply of government. And for there to be less supply, there must first be less demand.
As a former Brexit Secretary, I know that we can use our Brexit freedoms to achieve incredible things. Changes to EU regulations in our five growth industries will mean that we can deliver the very best for our great country,
We now have created a situation where the OBR is effectively setting the immediate stance of fiscal policy. If economic expectations are poor, the finances look poor, so austerity or tax hikes follow – but these in turn make the economy and finances worse.
The Triple Lock, 3% spending on defence, lower inheritance tax and HS2 – all should be for the chop if we are to balance the books.
There is a limit to what can fairly and sensibly be achieved by raising other taxes and cutting public spending – especially when it comes to pay.
There are 227 NHS trusts in England and if they all spent the lowest of these figures, £231,611, the total cost would be £52.6 million. 1500 nurses could be employed for that sum.
When I was responsible for the £600 million a year London Development Agency, I was shocked at how much management focus was just on getting money out of the door.
The recent history of the Conservative Party and the country is the ultras have had their way on both policy and personnel. The result – for both party and country – is now clear to see.
Some Tory members would see such a development as nothing less than an establishment coup: as a conspiracy of bad actors working together to win revenge for Brexit.
The ineptitude of its start has contaminated voter views of centre-right values as well as the Conservatives’ opinion poll ratings.
These may take time to bear fruit, but must reassure the markets now that the growth path in expenditure will be measurably lower. Such measures must involve doing less, as well as doing things differently.
And that energy bill support scheme, so disliked by some prominent Truss backers? Ninety per cent of the panel back it.
If we are to grow as a nation and pay for public services we need to encourage entrepreneurs and support businesses – not make life harder for them and kick them in the teeth.