Watford’s MP has stayed silent on whether he still supports Liz Truss after a backlash over her “sham” economic policies.
The plans, which included scrapping the 45p tax rate for those earning more than £150k, saw the pound fall to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985.
Last week Tory MP Dean Russell said “all these announcements will have a long-term beneficial impact”, but this morning Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng cut the 45p policy saying it had “become a distraction”.
We get it, and we have listened. pic.twitter.com/lOfwHTUo76
— Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) October 3, 2022
Amid the economic fallout, Mr Russell has been urged to clarify whether he still supports the Prime Minister.
READ MORE: Watford parties clash over mini-budget
One constituent emailed the MP: “Earlier this year you appeared reluctant to inform the media of your continuing approval of Johnson, even when he was about to be ejected, and I wonder if you intend [on] remaining similarly silent regarding Truss/Kwarteng.
“The question is simple: do you continue to support Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng as Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer of this country?
“An answer, published in the next edition of the Watford Observer, would be helpful to us all.”
Mr Russell was approached for an answer. He did not respond.
READ MORE: HouDeani’: Watford MP Dean Russell's partygate vanishing act
The MP has previously come under fire for keeping his head below the parapet when controversies arise – notably ‘partygate’ and his support for Boris Johnson.
In late September, he was appointed to his first ministerial post – Minister for Enterprise and Markets.
Although Mr Russell has stayed quiet since the 45p U-turn, one of Boris Johnson’s biggest allies Nadine Dorries hit out at Mrs Truss and urged her to call a general election.
She tweeted: “Widespread dismay at the fact that 3 years of work has effectively been put on hold. No one asked for this. C4 sale, online safety, BBC licence fee review – all signed off by cabinet all ready to go, all stopped.
“If Liz wants a whole new mandate, she must take to the country.”
After last week’s mini-budget, Watford Labour candidate Matt Turmaine said the Tories were “gambling with our money”, while the Lib Dem’s Ian Stotesbury branded them “immoral”.
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