Former Tory minister willing to get ‘kicked out’ of party for fighing Liz Truss benefit cuts

A former Conservative cabinet minister says he is willing to get “kicked out” the party by rebelling against Liz Truss’s proposed real-terms benefit cut.

Johnny Mercer, a former defence minister, added that he doesn’t agree with the suggestion that those claiming benefits can just “go and work more”.

“I won’t vote for a Budget that doesn’t see an uprating of benefits and universal credit line with inflation,” Mr Mercer said.

“And if that means I get kicked out of the Tory party, fine.”

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