JEREMY Hunt says the General Election is game on for the Tories – pointing to a “significant” economic recovery and dangling more tax cuts.
The Chancellor told The Sun: “I think it’s entirely ours to win if we are sensible, prudent and continue on the path we’re going, which is to reduce taxes on working families.”
Brushing off a double-digit Labour lead, he added: “It’s not just me, Labour are telling their own shadow cabinet that polls can change very, very quickly.”
And he claimed: “What we’re seeing at the moment, is an economic situation that is improving significantly and people are seeing that.”
“We did take difficult decisions a year ago, yes. But we’re now seeing the benefit from those decisions.”
Throwing down the gauntlet to the opposition, Mr Hunt said: “A Conservative government wants to bring down taxes and that is the choice because we’re in an election year this year.
“A Labour government that wants to spend an extra £28 billion a year.
“That’s potentially an extra £2,000 pounds a year tax or a Conservative government is reducing tax, this year by nearly £1,000 pounds on a typical family with two earners. That’s the choice.”
And he batted away rumours that he could throw in the towel and quit his Surrey seat amid a resurgent Lib Dems in the South East.
He said it was “absolute nonsense” that he was eyeing the exit.
He added: “I will stand and I’m very confident that if I knock on enough doors between now and the election, that I will be able to win my seat but it is a marginal seat. And there’s a big battle.”
Hunt also hinted he’s planning more personal giveaways for Brits, saying: “There are lots of taxes I’d like to cut.”
On the day a two per cent National Insurance fall kicks in for 20 million workers, the Chancellor said he would reduce levies “as soon as I can”.