Labour to attack PM on economy after focus groups ‘irritated’ by his optimism

Labour says potential Tory-to-Labour switchers feel Sunak has had ‘nothing to do with’ the fall in inflation and are affronted by the idea of him taking the credit for it. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images

Labour plans to go on the attack over Rishi Sunak’s stewardship of the economy this autumn, as the party’s internal polling suggests Tory-to-Labour switchers are irritated by his optimism on inflation when they do not feel that their own finances are improving.

The party’s focus groups of what they call “hero voters” – who backed the Tories in 2019 and are now considering Labour – suggest this group are unconvinced that the economy is improving despite inflation coming down slowly.