Javid accuses Sunak of sleepwalking in a high-tax economy as he endorses Truss

Former Chancellor Sajid Javid endorsed Liz Truss as he had warned Rishi Sunak's economic plans would lead Britain to "sleepwalk in a high-tax, low-growth economy".

Mr. Javid and Mr Sunak resigned less than an hour apart last month, triggering a string of resignations that ultimately ended Boris Johnson's tenure as prime minister.

But writing in The Times, Mr Javid criticizes his friend's stance as he backs his rival to win the keys to Downing Street.

Mr. Sunak argued that tax cuts can come after skyrocketing inflation has been brought under control.

Mr. Javid, himself a former Tory leadership candidate, insisted that "tax cuts are now essential".

He said, "Over the long term, we are more likely to be financially sustainable by improving trend growth.

"Only by bringing the growth to pre-financial crisis levels that we can hope to sustain the high-quality public services that people rightly expect. Some argue that tax cuts can only come once we have growth.

"I believe the exact opposite: tax cuts are a prerequisite for growth. Well Sure, we need more than that, especially significant supply-side reform, but tax cuts are now essential. There are no risk-free options in government. However, in my view, not cutting taxes carries an even greater risk."

Mr Sunak's supporters were less than happy with Mr Javid's decision to back Ms Truss. A backbench source said: 'Saj is a nice guy but he's also the guy who, despite all his tough talk about taking over as Health Secretary, was ready to lead us into lockdown last Christmas because he was afraid of a chart. It's no surprise, then, that he backs Boris Johnson's sequel candidate."

Just 24 hours ago, Ms Truss's campaign was on the back foot after being forced to abandon a key policy in the face of a major Tory uprising.

She backtracked on her plan to cut public sector wages outside London, insisting her proposals had been misrepresented.

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