James was interviewed on BBC Radio Norfolk about his support for Rishi Sunak in the Conservative Party leadership election and has written about his support.
"While the weather in Norfolk was red hot over the weekend, so was my phone. That was due to the start of the leadership election triggered by the Prime Minister’s decision to stand down. I am very disappointed that after the 2019 general election success his premiership has ended in this way. Whatever your view of him, he broke the deadlock and got Brexit done, delivered the fastest vaccines rollout in Europe, and drove the levelling up agenda.
Choosing someone to be the new leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister is an immense responsibility and I ensured I spoke to the candidates standing to replace Boris Johnson. I wanted to talk about their plans to get the economy moving, to improve public services, and how to take advantage of the opportunities of Brexit.
There are many talented people running who would offer much in the role, including my constituency neighbour Liz Truss who would be the first Prime Minister from Norfolk since Walpole. However, after considering the candidates and their plans, I decided to back Rishi Sunak. He has the values – hard work, patriotism, fairness, family, pragmatism – experience, and ideas to restore trust and to take our country forward at this crucial time. In our conversation he also remembered the local issues from his visit to Lynn as a junior minister and as a fellow rural MP he understands the challenges areas including Norfolk face.
On public services, of course I spoke to him and the other candidates about NHS investment and productivity, and specifically QEH. I set out our compelling case and I will continue to push for QEH to be selected as one of the new hospital schemes to the new Health Secretary and whoever becomes Prime Minister.
Getting the economy growing more rapidly will be his priority. And he has a plan to do that based on encouraging more investment, driving innovation, and higher skills. Importantly, he has a track record of steering the economy through the pandemic including protecting over 10,000 jobs locally. In the face of global inflation, he also put in place a package of support to help people with higher energy and other costs.
Tax has featured highly in the contest so far. Everyone wants to see tax cuts and this is an important debate to have as Conservatives want to people to keep more of their own money. As Chancellor, Rishi has raised the national insurance threshold so that no one pays tax on the first £12,570 they earn – worth £330 a year to the average worker – and set out plans to cut income tax. He also put in place one of the most generous business investment measures.
But I respect him being upfront in saying that he will deliver further tax cuts and bring the tax burden down only once inflation that is causing real hardship to so many is gripped. It is a question of when, not if.
In short, I believe Rishi has set out a plan to tackle inflation, grow the economy, and cut taxes – a long term approach that recognises the challenging economic situation we face."
This article was first published in the Lynn News on 15 July 2022
