Rishi Sunak is planning to cut taxes as Britons go to the polls in the expected general election later this year, Conservative party Chairman Richard Holden has said in an interview with GB News.
Holden said that a two per cent cut in National Insurance Contributions, which hits millions of pay packets today, was the beginning of a series of tax cuts.
More tax cuts were expected on the March 6 Budget he said. But he added that voters should expect "more of that later this year as well".
Holden told GB News in an interview on Friday: "What we are now on it’s a situation where we are coming out of that very tough period, and we're able to outline our plans for the future.
Rishi Sunak is planning to cut taxes as Britons go to the polls in the expected general election later this year, Conservative party chairman Richard Holden has said in an interview with GB News
GB NEWS
"And I think the actual tax cut, you mentioned the National Insurance cut for working people is the start of that. We'll see more of that in March, and more of that later in the year as well. We have that new direction of travel, which is clear."
The admission is the first time the Tories have admitted there could be a second fiscal event this year ahead of polling day.
But a Conservative Party source told GB News: “The party Chairman was talking more broadly about the progress and direction of travel - the Prime Minister and Chancellor have already spoken about lowering taxes in a responsible way, where and when it’s sensible to do so. Any fiscal event is a decision for the Prime Minister."
Labour frontbenchers have said that they are expecting a second fiscal event in September, ahead of party conference season and polling day in early to mid-November.
Holden played down an overnight poll for GB News which gave Labour a 25 per cent lead over the Tories, which are just eight points ahead of Reform UK in third place.
He said: "It's quite understandable that between elections polls move around an awful lot."
The Conservative Party Chairman pointed out that then PM Theresa May was 26 points ahead in 2017, called an election and "ended up losing a majority".
He added: "Harold Wilson that said a week is a long time in politics. Well, seven, eight, nine, 10 months can be a long time. But crucially people want to see ahead of an election and real direction of travel."
Holden also hinted that he would consider reappointing former deputy chairman Lee Anderson, who quit this month over Rishi Sunak's Rwanda plan.
He said: "It was sad to lose Lee. He does a lot of good for the party, fundraisers around the country. Really helping gee up the membership. I hope he continues to do that.
"But the decisions on jobs for people are not one for me alone. I'll have to chat to the Chief Whip and Prime Minister about it. But I think in the long term, you shouldn't rule anything out.
"And in fairness to Lee, he was very decent and straightforward in his resignation letter."
Earlier this week, Anderson - who is a presenter on GB News - said he regretted abstaining on the Rwanda plan.
Holden said: "To admit that you've got something wrong is not always easy. And he's done that. And so I hope he continues to be my colleague for years to come. And about his future jobs, well, we'll have to see. I'm sure he'll be on GB News for quite a while."
