Sir Keir Starmer has launched a scathing attack on Rishi Sunak, labelling the Prime Minister's claims about Labour's tax plans as 'desperate nonsense' born from a 'panicked' Conservative Party. The Labour leader's fury was ignited during a particularly fiery session of Prime Minister's Questions.
The £46 Billion Bombshell
The political row erupted after the Prime Minister publicly asserted that a future Labour government would need to find an eye-watering £46 billion through new taxes. This figure, however, was immediately plunged into controversy.
Sir Keir vehemently denied the claim, pointing out that the Treasury itself had officially disowned the contentious number. He accused the Tories of resorting to a campaign of 'smears and lies' as their poll numbers continue to stagnate.
A Clash of Ideologies
In a powerful counter-attack, Starmer turned the tables on Sunak. He spotlighted the Conservatives' own lengthy track record on taxation, reminding the House that the current government is presiding over the highest tax burden in 70 years.
'They are the party of high tax, but they never dare to be the party of public service reform,' Starmer declared, framing the election as a fundamental choice between a tired government and a changed Labour Party ready to rebuild Britain.
Sunak's Defence and Labour's Rebuttal
Prime Minister Sunak stood by his criticism, insisting that Labour's spending commitments would inevitably lead to higher taxes for hard-working families. He warned of what he called 'the same old Labour story' of excessive spending and fiscal irresponsibility.
Yet, the Labour leader remained resolute. He concluded that the PM's tactics were a clear sign of a party with 'no positive case left to make' for its own future, choosing instead to hurl baseless accusations as the country moves closer to the ballot box.
