James Forsyth James Forsyth

Truss and Sunak are arguing about the wrong things

The Tory leadership contenders should stop debating trivialities and focus on the economy

(Credit: Getty images)

The Tory party needs to distinguish between the different types of blue-on-blue arguments. There is the peripheral stuff about shoes and earrings which would be no great loss to the debate if it was to end; then there are the substantive issues on which the party does need to thrash out what it thinks. 

The biggest divide in this contest is over the economy

In the Times today, I suggest five arguments that the Tories need to have in this contest. Having been friends with Rishi Sunak for decades, and having known Liz Truss since she became an MP in 2010, I think they are capable of having a constructive argument. The genuine differences between them should help improve debate. They don’t need to fight over trivialities (which are often the bitterest arguments) or manufacture differences.

The biggest divide in this contest is over the economy. The significant tax cuts Truss is offering are the main reason in terms of policy as to why she is ahead in the polls.

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