The UK's Chancellor has urged Conservatives “not to talk ourselves down”, warning that creating an “inaccurate narrative” about Britain could make it into a reality.
Jeremy Hunt said he had noticed an “insidious declinism” creeping in among “those who used to be optimists like me” when it came to topics such as Brexit and UK economic performance.
It follows a week of blue-on-blue attacks in which Tories, including Home Secretary Suella Braverman, former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg and former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost, used a National Conservatism conference to challenge the government’s record.
In an article for The Daily Telegraph, Mr Hunt said: “Let’s not talk ourselves down or allow a corrosive and inaccurate narrative about Britain to become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“Conservatives know in our DNA that we are a great country with a bright future – if we choose it.
“So let’s get on and make it happen. After all, it’s what we were elected to.”
He defended Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s focus on halving inflation by the end of the year, saying it was the “quickest way to put money back in people’s pockets”.
The Chancellor said cutting inflation would pave the way for tax cuts but he refused to put a date on when tax reductions would be announced.
Mr Sunak has made halving inflation one of his top five priorities, along with growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting NHS waiting lists and stopping boats of migrants from crossing the Channel to Britain.
Mr Hunt said: “High inflation is the most invidious tax rise of all, eroding 10 per cent of our salaries and savings in the last year alone.
“Halving inflation this year, one of our five priorities, is the quickest way to put money back in people’s pockets, end industrial strife, restore consumer confidence and allow businesses to invest.
“And because it is the key to sustained growth, low inflation will allow us to bring taxes down, something we want to do as soon as possible.”
His comments come as energy bills were predicted to fall by as much as £450 when the new price cap is announced on May 25.
The price of wholesale energy increased as Covid restrictions were eased and then skyrocketed after Russia invaded Ukraine last year.
Energy prices have shown signs of easing in recent weeks but consumers continue to have their budgets stretched by rising food prices.
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Saint-Etienne v Montpellier (10.45pm)
Saturday
Monaco v Caen (7pm)
Amiens v Bordeaux (10pm)
Angers v Toulouse (10pm)
Metz v Dijon (10pm)
Nantes v Guingamp (10pm)
Rennes v Lille (10pm)
Sunday
Nice v Strasbourg (5pm)
Troyes v Lyon (7pm)
Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (11pm)
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if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
