New Prime Minister, same old Tory disinterest and callous lack of concern, as Boris Johnson’s likely successor shows when she taunts people worried that their energy bills are going through the roof.
Haughty Liz Truss lecturing householders and small businesses to wait another week is the arrogance of a Tory divorced from reality.
If she already has an ambitious plan, share it now. If she hasn’t, shame on her for dithering where urgent, decisive action is demanded.
The clear favourite to be announced as Boris Johnson’s successor in No10 without a general election was unimpressive on TV yesterday, fuelling fears she is not up to a demanding job.
Labour and other parties threw down the gauntlet by promising to freeze electricity and gas prices. Truss – or Rishi Sunak – will be eternally damned if they fail to match the offer.
We need a tenant in No10 who puts the nation’s interests ahead of their narrow sectional obsessions or a political clique.
Truss, alas, is another Tory who will rule for a Conservative elite at the cost of hardworking folk – whether on low or middle incomes.
Today is not a new beginning, but a continuation of the discredited Johnson era.
Cash point
We know who will suffer most if seven out of 10 cash machines that are currently free are shut and that’s the people least able to afford to pay to withdraw money.
The spread of charges will widen inequality and hit hardest all those clobbered by soaring inflation while skinflint employers impose meagre wage rises and the Government holds social security payments way below inflation.
When most banks are very profitable, they must be placed under a financial obligation to give free access to accounts at cash machines.
George’s gift
BBC presenter George Alagiah is a fantastic professional now earning huge respect for sharing his battle with cancer.
People everywhere will wish George and his family well.