The Chancellor, the u-turn and a political meltdown
The Story
The Times
3.9 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 4 October 2022
⏱️ 34 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
After nine days of political pressure, chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has u-turned on the government’s plan to abolish the top rate of income tax, saying he felt ‘humility and contrition’. So, what was the mood at the Conservative party conference as Kwarteng addressed his party? Plus, we learn more about the chancellor driving the policy formerly known as ‘Operation Rolling Thunder’.
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Guests:
- Henry Zeffman, Associate Political Editor, The Times.
- Rachel Sylvester, Columnist, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Clips: BBC, DW News, STV, Times Radio.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | As Nigel opened his Amazon parcel, it was in love at first sight, sleek design and effortless cornering. |
| 0:07.0 | This vacuum cleaner screamed quality and for a price lower than he ever dreamed, five stars from Nigel. |
| 0:15.0 | With star reviews from you and star prices from us, start your search on Amazon today. |
| 0:20.0 | It's a Tory party conference unlike any other. |
| 0:31.0 | It has very quickly become an ethnic political catastrophe for her. |
| 0:39.0 | For Liz Truss, her honeymoon as leader soured in 11 days ago when the new chancellor quasi-quarting delivered what he called a fiscal event. |
| 0:57.0 | And what an era it's been. |
| 1:03.0 | As the chancellor announced record government borrowing, coupled with huge unfunded tax cuts that would particularly benefit the rich, the markets went into meltdown. |
| 1:17.0 | The British pound touches a record low against the dollar. |
| 1:21.0 | £100 billion has been knocked off the value of UK stocks and bonds since Liz Truss became Prime Minister. |
| 1:28.0 | The pound plummeted, inflation surged and in an unprecedented move, the Bank of England intervened with an emergency £65 billion bond buying programme. |
| 1:41.0 | But while even the IMF criticised the government's plans, the Prime Minister doubled down. |
| 1:49.0 | So you won't change your mind on the 45p rate? |
| 1:51.0 | No. |
| 1:52.0 | But within 24 hours, that changed. |
| 1:56.0 | The government is about to announce one of these. |
| 2:06.0 | Yep, you turn, a handbrake turn is on its way. |
| 2:09.0 | Good morning, Liz Truss and quasi-quarting have abandoned a plan to abolish the 45p rate of income tax for top earners. |
| 2:20.0 | Charles, you'll have to forgive me just being slightly impatient with you. |
| 2:24.0 | I have in front of me the trail of your speech, which journalist was sent yesterday. |
| 2:30.0 | We will stay the course itself. |
| 2:32.0 | I will. |
... |
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