Rishi Sunak vs Liz Truss: Who Should Become the Next Prime Minister?

By Olivia Singh | 30th August 2022

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak are the final two candidates in the race to become Prime Minister. Out of the two candidates, who should become the next Prime Minister?

Whilst Sunak was Chancellor of the Exchequer during the pandemic, he protected the jobs of millions of Britons by creating the Furlough scheme. Although there were Britons that lost their jobs during the pandemic, Sunak successfully prevented widespread job losses. As well as this, many businesses were given grants to sustain themselves. Sunak states that if he becomes Prime Minister, he will tackle inflation and deliver much-needed tax cuts. Looking at Sunak’s impactful experience as Chancellor during unprecedented times and his promises, it is evident that he has the skills needed to know what it takes to rebuild the economy and restore trust as Prime Minister.

Sunak is also keen on protecting women’s rights, ensuring they can enjoy the same freedom many men take for granted in feeling safe from abuse. Sunak pledges to make downblousing a criminal offence and launch a major crackdown on grooming gangs, stating: “As prime minister I will go further. I will make it a criminal offence if you harass women by taking intimate images of them without their consent and will introduce a major crackdown on grooming gangs.”

Truss has proposed to work on creating a National Domestic Abuse Register to tackle repeat offending by men, however she has been accused of treating her role as minister of women and equalities as a ‘side hustle’ by the chair of a group of MPs.

Truss’s experience in politics is notable, she has over 20 years of experience working in politics and is currently Foreign Secretary. Truss has recently been focusing on the threat the UK faces from Russia and UK’s relations with the Gulf. Although Truss has more political experience than Rishi Sunak – does it necessarily mean that she is better suited to be PM?  Truss continued to show support for Boris Johnson even though it was revealed he appointed Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip knowing his allegations of sexual assault, her support of Boris Johnson will not help Truss to gain the public’s trust for her as a moral leader.

According to an exclusive Sky News poll, Truss is leading Rishi Sunak by 32 points in the race to be Prime Minister. Truss has promised tax cuts, which is a key reason why many would vote for her to become the next PM. Economists have warned however that tax cuts will strain the public purse and push up government spending. Sunak plans to tackle inflation and deliver a 20% tax cut by the end of the decade. Key political figures have shown their support for Sunak, stating that he has the skills needed to lead the country. Gove supports Sunak and agrees that tax cuts are not the answer to tackling the cost-of-living crisis.

Gove states: “The answer to the cost-of-living crisis cannot be simply to reject further ‘handouts’ and cut tax.”

He adds: “I know what the job requires. And Rishi has it.”

Ben Houchen, Mayor of the Tees Valley, states: “Rishi’s plan will help people, tackle inflation, and grow the economy.”

Sunak has valuable experience in managing the country’s finances during COVID-19 and has the skills needed to rebuild the UK economy. The country undoubtedly needs Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister, he has proposed good policies to help decrease violence against women and will prove to be one of Britain’s most excellent political leaders.