A FRESH Tory civil war erupted today as backbench MPs lashed out at Jeremy Hunt for saying tax cuts are "virtually impossible". Backbenchers implored the Chancellor to change his view or risk blowing up any chance of the Conservatives winning next year’s general election showdown.

Tory MPs urge tax cuts to turn around poll numbers

Tory MPs have urged Jeremy Hunt to slash taxes in a final push to turn around the polls for the Tories. It comes as Rishi Sunak this week fired the starting gun on a red meat policy blitz as part of a major No10 reset to turn the polls around. The Conservatives are trailing Labour by 20 points and MPs fear that without rapid action they’ll be doomed to the opposition benches.

PM's fightback begins with delay to ban on petrol and diesel cars

The PM’s fightback started with a delay to the hated ban on petrol and diesel cars until 2035. And Mr Sunak is also planning to ban vapes and completely reform A-Levels so all kids are made to study maths until 18. The Manchester leg of HS2 could even be scrapped as part of No10 efforts turbo-drive popular policies before an election is called. The PM’s bold moves were hailed by Conservative MPs throughout the week.

Tory reset undermined by high tax burden

But Tories have warned the reset could be critically undermined if the Treasury continues imposing Britain’s highest tax burden since the Second World War. Ex-Cabinet Minister Sir John Redwood said: "The Chancellor should not rule out tax cuts. Borrowing once again came in below Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts and there is huge scope to boost public sector productivity to allow tax cuts." Sir John was echoed by former PM Liz Truss, who said: "Families and businesses are being squeezed under the highest tax burden since the Second World War. Cutting taxes would put more money in people’s pockets."

Potential tax changes to be announced in November

Mr Hunt will announce potential changes to taxes and spending on public services, such as schools and the NHS, in November’s Autumn Statement. The Chancellor told LBC that Britain’s high debt levels have left him with some "very difficult decisions". He said: "It makes life extremely difficult. It makes tax cuts virtually impossible, and it means that I will have another set of frankly very difficult decisions."

"All I would say is, if we do want those long-term debt costs to come down, then we need to really stick to this plan to get inflation down, get interest rates down. I don’t know when that’s going to happen. But I don’t think it’s going to happen before the Autumn Statement on 22 November, alas."

Hopes for tax cuts in next budget

There are some hopes that Mr Hunt’s strong language around taxes is a ploy to play down expectations ahead of drawing a "rabbit out of the hat" at the next Budget. This could come in the form of slashing inheritance tax, capital gains tax or even income tax.