What We Learned From Rishi Sunak's Tax-Focused Tory Manifesto

Rishi Sunak launched the Conservative party manifesto on Tuesday with pledges to cut taxes at the core of the offering as he bids to breathe new life into his campaign.

Speaking at the Silverstone race course today, the Prime Minister sought to shift the focus to policy after a torrid few days for his campaign dominated by questions over his judgement.

These questions, which overshadowed the campaign over the weekend, were prompted by his decision last week to leave D-Day Commemorations in Normany early. The move triggered fierce criticism from Conservative party figures and forced Sunak to apologise. At the same time, opinion polls continue to suggest Keir Starmer's Labour is on the brink of securing a massive majority on 4 July.

Many policies in the manifesto published today, including the party's commitment to introduce a "modern national service" for 18 year olds and to reduce the number of university courses offered to students, had already been announced prior to Sunak's speech.

The main new policy announced by Sunak was a promise to abolish the main rate of National Insurance for the self-employed, which he hopes will boost the party's tax-cutting credentials.

"We Conservatives always stand for our values. For aspiration, for freedom, the opportunity for security," the Prime Minister said in his speech.

"Your Conservative MP will deliver lower taxes, lower immigration, protected pensions, and a sensible approach to net zero. Our country wants a clear plan and bold action. Our country needs a secure future. And it is this Conservative manifesto that will deliver."

Here is what we learned from the Tory manifesto launch.

The biggest policy offering in the manifesto that was not announced prior to Tuesday was in the sphere of