A major poll shows 52 per cent of the public link the Conservatives to higher taxes, compared to 42 per cent for Labour.
Meanwhile 77 per cent think they would be stung for either the same amount or even more tax if the PM is reelected, dipping to 66 per cent should Sir Keir enter No10.
The Survation research of more than 12,000 Brits heaps pressure on Mr Sunak to ease the burden on clobbered families, with a clamour for relief at this month’s Autumn Statement.
Liz Truss warned her successor to remember the party’s true-blue roots and led MP calls for action.
She said: “This polling confirms the point I have been making for some time – that the Conservatives have to return to being the party of business and of low taxes.
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“This is how we will create the economic growth and generate the tax revenues on which our public services rely.
“For the public to believe they would pay more tax under a Conservative government than a Labour one shows how urgently we need to make the case for Conservatism again, to demonstrate our belief in low taxes and show why low-tax economies deliver growth.”
The tax burden is at a record high for peacetime after hikes in headline rates and stealthy threshold freezes.
HMRC boss Jim Harra last night warned 1.2 million more Brits will be paying into the Treasury next year raising the taxpayer population to 35.8 million.
Mr Sunak’s spokesman last night promised he wanted to slash taxes at the “appropriate” time once inflation is tamed.
The poll for the UK Spirits Alliance also shows 52 per cent of voters think they pay too much tax, 27 per cent the right amount and just 8.2 per cent too little.
The industry group is begging Jeremy Hunt to spare them another crippling hike in alcohol excise duty.
Stephen Russell, owner of Copper Rivet Distiller in Kent said: “It is time for the Chancellor to sit up and listen to the British public and his own MPs, and support consumers and businesses across the UK by freezing duty.”