Top Tory pleads with young people to stay in Britain

Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith has called on young people to remain in Britain and support the Conservative party. In a Monday speech to party members, Griffith emphasized Tory policies aimed at improving young people's prospects, such as scrapping stamp duty and cutting at least one tax at each Budget. He urged those considering leaving the country to reconsider, stating that many cherished aspects are at risk but have not been lost yet.

Griffith emphasized the need for "safe and legal routes" for British youth to secure jobs, buy homes, and lead good lives. He highlighted that nearly half of the 246,000 British nationals who left in 2025 were aged between 16 and 34. Griffith's party has proposed eliminating stamp duty for primary residences and reforming student loans to prevent escalating debt.

The Conservative party also plans to abolish Labour's mansion tax, which imposes a levy on properties worth over £2 million. Griffith reaffirmed the Conservatives' commitment to maintaining the triple lock on pensions, which ensures the state pension increases with wage growth, inflation, or 2.5%. However, Labour leader Andy Burnham has proposed reforming the uprating mechanism, arguing that the current system does not adequately protect workers' income growth.

Griffith dismissed Burnham's plan, noting that young people oppose it. Griffith also revealed his intention to prioritize tax reform as "his North Star" if elected Chancellor, following in the footsteps of former Chancellor Nigel Lawson.