The Guardian view on the UK economy: sack Kwarteng, oust Truss | Editorial

The crisis was created by the new government. But the British people, not ministers, are paying the price

Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng are the authors of the economic crisis now battering Britain and its people. They alone demanded the tax cutting mini-budget that has triggered the worst financial instability to threaten this country since 2008. Since they, and no one else, own this growing national disaster, they alone must take responsibility for it. New polls showing record Labour leads demonstrate the toxicity of their actions.

The prime minister and her chancellor are determined to impose a new economic orthodoxy on Britain. They are able to do so because Conservative party members have imposed a doctrinaire rightwing leadership on a country that has never voted for it, committed to a philosophy of small government that prioritises radical deregulation over greater fairness, regional equality and basic economic literacy. It is a policy profoundly out of touch with the values and priorities of the nation - just 19% of the public think the mini-budget is fair. But it is also out of harmony with the majority that voted for Brexit in 2016 and helped elect the Johnson government in 2019. Ms Truss and Mr Kwarteng give every impression of not caring. They seem to think they are clever and other people are stupid.