Both remaining candidates in the Conservative leadership race have ‘inconsistencies in policy’, Bracknell Forest’s MP said in an interview with GB News. 

James Sunderland MP was asked to give his assessment of Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss’ plans to become the next Prime Minister after his preferred choice, Penny Mordaunt, was knocked out of the running last week. 

Keen for it to not come across as “sour grapes”, Mr Sunderland said the candidates “offer merits” but “being brutally frank” both of them have “inconsistencies in policy areas”. 

The final two have clashed over differences in economic policy, particularly in relation to tax, as voters battle with the cost-of-living crisis – largely driven by high inflation and soaring energy prices. 

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Ms Truss is running on a platform of immediate tax cuts, she proposes to reverse the national insurance hike, cancel the planned increases in corporation tax and the temporary removal of green energy levies on electricity bills. 

The current Foreign Secretary plans to pay for these £30bn in tax cuts by further borrowing, which she insists will not be inflationary and instead stimulate growth. 

Mr Sunak has pledged a return to “traditional Conservative economic values” and has hit out at what he believes are “something for nothing” policies outlined by Ms Truss. 

He too has said he aims to cut taxes, but only after tackling inflation – which hit 9.4 per cent in June. 

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Mr Sunderland told GB News that whilst policies spread “far beyond” the economy, he accepted that it is “acute” that the candidates focus on the economy in the current climate. 

He championed “pragmatism” and raised issues with the promise of tax cuts due to the current level of inflation. 

“The countries £2.2tn in the red at the moment and therefore it is right in my view that the election will be won and lost on economic issues. 

“My concern with Lizz’s policies is they could be inflationary. At this point in time the jury’s out, and I would urge people to listen to what the candidates are saying and to vote accordingly,” he added. 

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There has also been worries amongst Tories that anger over the ousting of Boris Johnson – either that he was forced to resign or that he stayed in his post as long as he did – will prevent the party from moving on. 

Mr Sunderland said MPs are “damned if they do and damned if they don’t”, making reference to the “vitriol” he has seen in his inbox from both sides of the argument over the past 12 months. 

“It’s right that [he] resigned, you can’t keep giving oxygen to the opposition and the media and I think we have run out of road in terms of moral authority. […] We have moved on from Boris Johnson,” he said. 

Ms Truss and Mr Sunak will continue their campaigns as they lock horns in the first head-to-head debate tonight at 9pm on BBC One. The next PM will be selected by Conservative party members, with the result announced on September 5.