KWASI Kwarteng began his speech to the Conservative Party conference by acknowledging it had been a "tough" day as he battled to restore his authority as Chancellor after a humiliating U-turn over tax cuts for the rich.
Just hours before his set-piece speech at the Conservative Party conference Kwarteng abandoned his controversial plan to scrap the 45p income tax rate for people earning more than £150,000 to stave off a mounting Tory revolt.
The Government is also eyeing plans to cut public spending by around £18 billion.
Addressing the audience in Birmingham he acknowledged it had been a “tough” day but promised there would be no more distractions.
Downing Street said Prime Minister Liz Truss – who was in the audience for the speech – continues to have confidence in Kwarteng, despite the dramatic decision to drop the tax cut.
Kwarteng told activists: “What a day. It has been tough but we need to focus on the job in hand.
“We need to move forward, no more distractions, we have a plan and we need to get on and deliver it.”
He used his speech to defend the Government’s plan to cut taxes in the search for economic growth.
Despite the U-turn on the 45p rate, Kwarteng said he was still committed to taking 1p off the basic rate of income tax, reversing April’s increase in national insurance and scrapping the planned increase in corporation tax.
The Chancellor told the conference: “While we all believe in growth, we as Conservatives also believe that it is an important principle that people should keep more of the money they earn.
“I don’t need to tell you that. That isn’t radical, that isn’t irresponsible. It is a deeply held belief that we all share as Conservatives.
“We were faced with a 70-year high tax burden. We were confronted with low growth and the path we were on was clearly unsustainable. So that’s why we’re cutting taxes for working people.”
He earlier acknowledged that the Government’s desire to borrow billions to axe the 45p rate on earnings over £150,000 had become a “terrible distraction” amid widespread criticism.
Shortly before he had been due to tell the conference they must “stay the course” on the plans, he issued a statement saying: “We are not proceeding with the abolition of the 45p tax rate.”
“We get it, and we have listened,” he added, in language echoed in a tweet from the Prime Minister less than 24 hours after she said she remained absolutely committed to the cut.
The U-turn will be seen as a massive blow to their standing, a little over a week after the tax cut was announced in the mini-budget and just a month into Ms Truss’s premiership.
Kwarteng said he had “not at all” considered resigning despite scrapping a key part of the financial plans he set out on September 23.
Asked if Truss has confidence in her Chancellor, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “Yes.”
