Leading Brexiteer and Tory leadership favourite Boris Johnson has praised the U.S. President’s economic policy, proposing similar tax cuts for the UK to boost the nation.
The former foreign minister demanded the Conservative Party promise to “liberate and energise people” by reducing the tax burden on Britons, which is at a 49-year high according to the TaxPayers’ Alliance group.
“Instead of canvassing tax rises we should say that tax henceforward will not go up”, he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
He added: “I know it is not fashionable to point this out, but the United States currently boasts economic growth rates far in excess of this country.
“And that growth is being driven not just by the US government’s decision to cut taxes and regulation, but perhaps even more by psychology.
“By the sense that the government wants to cut taxes. Do we send out that signal here in this country? I am not so sure.”
Mr Johnson argued the UK needs to increase tax revenues to fund the extra £20 billion promised to the NHS, the police, schools, “and other vital public services”.
The way to do this, however, is to expand the economy rather than increase the burden on working people and “squeeze” families, he argued.
“I am afraid I am not convinced that the answer is immediately to turn to the hard-pressed taxpayer, when Britain is now by no means a low-tax economy compared with several other jurisdictions in Europe,” he added.
Continuing: “Contrary to the direful predictions before the EU referendum of 2016, the public finances are improving.
“Now is the time for this Conservative government to show how a post-Brexit Britain will be a happy and dynamic economy that fosters enterprise, that rewards the strivers and the innovators, and where people can hope to take home more of their pay to their families.”
The TaxPayers’ Alliance responded on Twitter: “It’s refreshing to hear a politician advocating lower taxes for people and businesses, as well as scrapping the hated HS2!”
Mr Johnson came under fire over the weekend for launching a fresh attack on Prime Minister Theresa May and her plan for a “soft” Brexit tied to many of the European Union’s (EU) rules.
He advocates a free-trading, clean Brexit and has previously spoken of his admiration for President Donald Trump and his negotiating style, saying the UK should learn from him in talks with the EU.
The President has responded, calling Mr Johnson a “friend” and insisting he “has what it takes” to be the next Prime Minister.
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