TalkTV debate – Almost 40% of voters say Truss is more in touch with public’s concerns – and 18% back Rishi
RISHI Sunak is on the back foot with Brits - after a poll revealed almost 40 per cent of Tory voters believe Liz Truss is more in touch with the country's worries.
Just 18 per cent of those quizzed believe Mr Sunak has a better grip of the concerns faced by ordinary people.
The results of the Opinium survey were revealed by Kate McCann as she returned to TalkTV tonight hours after her dramatic collapse as she quizzed both leadership contenders.
"We did a poll of the debate last night," she said.
"Interestingly, 38 per cent of Tory voters found that Liz Truss is the most in touch with the public's concerns, compared to 18 per cent who think Rishi Sunak is.
"It's quite a big difference there.
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"When it comes to Tory voters' priorities, tax cuts win out over public service spending by 44 per cent to 22 per cent, which is significant."
And a second poll of the public - including voters who wouldn't back the Conservatives - has put Mr Sunak, Ms Truss and Sir Keir Starmer on a more or less even footing.
Respondents were asked who they'd vote for in a general election.
There was little to separate the three politicians, Kate said.
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The results were revealed after a top commentator said Mr Sunak "doesn't believe" in scrapping VAT on energy bills - despite a "screeching" U-turn after last night's leadership debate.
Henry Hill of Conservative Home blasted the MP hours after he announced he will save households £160 by axing the tax for a year.
Speaking to Kate, Mr Hill said the sudden switch-up will likely confuse Brits.
"Whether you agreed with him or not, at least he was staking out his principle position," he said.
"Now he's chasing Liz Truss. It's quite clear he doesn't believe in tax cuts."
'U-TURN'
The Sun's political editor Kate Ferguson said Mr Sunak had previously warned voters "we can't just cut tax" and that Brits must be prepared to "hunker down and cope with inflation".
His recent announcement "goes against the grain" of his policies, she said.
"I certainly think he was under pressure to show he was going to do something tangible," Kate said.
"Liz Truss was straight in twisting the knife."
But she said voters want to know what is being done to help during the cost-of-living crisis - and "may forgive the U-turn if there's extra cash in their pocket".
VOTERS QUIZZED
Mr Sunak has been arguing against a VAT cut for months, saying it wouldn't help those who really needed it.
However, he has now promised to bring it in from October, when bills are forecast to rise yet again.
He also vowed a benefits shake-up to get more Brits back into work.
Earlier this year, the MP was forced to set out two packages to help households with soaring bills.
He dished out a £400 discount on energy bills, a £650 one-off lump sum to poorer families, £150 for disability benefit claimants, and £300 for pensioners.
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And today he promised to go even further, setting out his winter plan as the energy price cap is set to rise to more than £3,000.
But Team Truss accused him of a "screeching U-turn" on his initial policies.
