Kwarteng Trying to Head Off Tory Rebellion Over Tax Cut Debacle

  • Ex-minister Gove among Conservative MPs threatening to rebel
  • Defiant Truss warns spending cuts needed to pay for policies
Kwasi Kwarteng during the Conservative Party’s annual autumn conference in Birmingham, on Oct. 3.Photographer: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg
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Kwasi Kwarteng is privately trying to reassure Conservative Members of Parliament that his tax cuts can fix the UK economy, in a bid to head off a potential rebellion.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has talked to about 25 MPs in recent days, according to a person familiar with the matter, who said Kwarteng recognizes the scale of unease at his plans. At the same time, the chancellor is confident he will persuade the would-be rebels to back down, the person said.