, healthcare (a £10 charge for missed GP appointments), energy (supply independence by 2045) and illegal migrants (housing them in cruise ships). Few topics were left unpronounced upon. Words like 'women' and 'mother' would be protected by law. Ukraine would receive the first foreign visit. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills would be broken up. There were even tax cuts promised, eventually, as the rival Liz Truss campaign built momentum. The basic income tax rate eventually would be cut to 16 per cent, it was declared with a flourish. Tory members were told this was Rishi Sunak's plan if he became Prime Minister. They picked Ms Truss and eventually got Mr Sunak instead. Now, it turns out they may not even get his policies. 'We'll get back to you' policy approach On Wednesday, Downing Street confirmed what had become increasingly apparent - those summer Tory leadership campaign promises may never move beyond press release status. The word Number 10 used was 'review'. A blanket position has been adopted that, now power has been thrust on Mr Sunak, he will take time to decide what to do. It is not just his past promises stuck in this limbo status. The 2019 Tory election manifesto - the one the electorate backed to keep the Conservatives in power - is similarly up in the air. The 'promise of' the manifesto will remain, reporters have been told. But what of the 'promises in' the manifesto, a more specific and pertinent issue? Watch this space. Add to that a third area of uncertainty - the policies pursued by Mr Sunak's predecessor, Ms Truss, in her 49 unfortunate){kind=link}
Uncertainty as every one of PM’s leadership campaign promises faces the axe amid economic turmoil
During the summer, there was no shortage of deeply-held policies.
Every few days, reporters’ inboxes would ping and another “Ready4Rishi” announcement would drop.
There were transport pledges – a “comprehensive ban” on new smart motorways and a review of low traffic neighbourhoods that had become a bugbear for the Tory base.
There were promises on Brexit (reviewing all EU laws within a 100 days), healthcare (a £10 charge for missed GP appointments), energy (supply independence by 2045) and illegal migrants (housing them in cruise ships).