We're the only credible alternative - Everything Tory Party leader said on campaign visit to Sunderland
“Labour are a busted flush and we are the only credible alternative” - the words of Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch who was in Sunderland today (April 2) campaigning ahead of the city council elections which will take place on May 7.
During her visit, Ms Badenoch spoke with the Echo and Conservative supporters where she promised to abolish business and carbon taxes, drill for oil in the North Sea, and to build a new power station to “provide cheaper energy”.
She said: “I think people can see Labour is failing. Since they came into power, unemployment has increased every single month and the Lib Dems in Parliament have just been helping them.
“People want change and I know that a lot of people were disappointed in 2024 and didn’t vote conservative I want them to know that this is a new Conservative party under new leadership.
“I’ve got a plan, I’ve found the money and the savings to deliver that plan; a cheap powerplant to get everyone’s bills down, abolishing business rates on the high streets so we can help small businesses, abolishing stamp duty so that people can move, start a family and put down roots.
“We’ve got a lot of good ideas and policies and our councils are the first step in us being able to deliver them. So on May the 7th I hope that the people of Sunderland will look at the new Conservative party under new leadership and vote Conservative.”
With many observers billing the upcoming city council election as a battle between Labour and Reform, Ms Badenoch added: “Reform talk a good game but are actually just telling everyone what they want to hear.”
Ms Badenoch visited Sheepfolds with Sunderland Conservatives leader Antony Mullen, who has been critical of previous party lead Boris Johnson in the aftermath of Covid and partygate.
The Tory leader said: “I’m very confident I have the support of local Conservatives, I’m here with Cllr Mullen who has told me about what we did previously that worked well, what didn’t go well, and what we need to for the future.
“There will always be some people who criticise, but I think many people can see that this Conservative Party is stronger and more united and we’ve got an agenda to get Britain working again so we can have a stronger economy and a stronger country.”