“Ed Davey likens Tories to thieves seeking a loan for a getaway car ahead of Autumn budget”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey compared Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt to bank robbers “taking us for a car loan” ahead of this month’s budget.

The Prime Minister and Chancellor continue to lay out their plans for the Autumn Statement on 17 November, as they look to plug an estimated £50 billion black hole in public finances.

Britons have been told to prepare for public spending cuts and even tax increases as Sunak and Hunt look to tighten fiscally in the wake of recent financial turmoil.

In a series of swipes at the Conservative Party as he delivered a keynote address today, Sir Ed slammed the “havoc” the “Conservative buffoons” had wreaked on the country as he claimed they had “almost bankrupted Britain”.

In the wake of former Prime Minister Liz Truss’ disastrous micro budget, the Liberal Democrat leader has highlighted a “conservative property penalty” over rising mortgage costs.

He has also called for a new £3bn “Mortgage Protection Fund” – to be paid for by reversing tax cuts for banks dating back to 2016 – to help families now facing crippling increases pay back their loans.

Under Lib Dem’s proposal, homeowners who see their payments increased by more than 10 per cent of their income can apply for grants of up to £300 a month to help cover costs.

In a series of swipes at the Tory party as he delivered a keynote address today, Sir Ed blasted the “havoc” that “Tory buffoons” have wreaked on the country

Sir Ed, who was photographed arriving to give his speech with Lib Diem boss Wendy Chamberlain, has called for a new £3bn ‘Mortgage Protection Fund’

Sir Ed’s speech came after he was forced to cancel his party’s conference in Brighton in September following the Queen’s death.

Referring to how his speech was later delayed by 47 days, Sir Ed told a London audience this afternoon that the delay was the equivalent of ‘nearly one cog’s les’ – in a sneer at the former prime minister’s historic short tenure in 10th place.

Sir Ed claimed that the Tories were seeking to “blame everyone else for the mess” after Truss’s disastrous term in office and the collapse in the financial markets.

“BBC, Civil Service, Wokerate – whoever they are,” he said.

They blamed the Bank of England, British businesses and even British workers.

‘But it won’t wash off.’ We all know who is responsible. The blame for this mess lies with the Tories.

Sir Ed highlighted the “mortgage crisis” across Britain as interest rates continued to rise and monthly payments to households rose by hundreds of pounds.

He added that the Conservatives “can never again claim to be the party that balances the books”.

Ahead of the Autumn Manifesto on 17 November, Sir Ed said: “The Tories are the party of chaos. And now what millions of people are worried about is what happens next.”

After making so much mess, conservatives want the rest of us to pay to clean up the mess.

They are already talking about more unfair tax increases. More cuts to pensions and benefits. More school discounts. the police. Even our NHS. All to fill the void they themselves created.

It’s as if they robbed our bank, and now they’re asking us for a loan to buy their getaway car!

Well, we say ‘no.’ Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt – Instead of inflicting more pain on families and retired pensioners, it’s time to start helping.

Sir Ed has demanded an “appropriate windfall tax” on the profits of the fossil fuel giants, as well as higher taxes on banks.

Use those extra billions to give people real help with their energy bills. To protect pensions and benefits from inflation.

To protect schools, hospitals and councils from cuts. And to help homeowners who are struggling to pay a conservative property penalty.