The Conservative party is attempting a major image overhaul, aiming to restore its reputation for sound economic management. Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride took center stage, delivering a speech designed to distance the party from the disastrous legacy of Liz Truss’s mini-budget.

While Stride openly acknowledged past errors and criticized the economic policies of both Labour and Reform UK, his address notably lacked the concrete policy proposals many were expecting. He spoke of a necessary “rewiring” of the British economy and conceded that the party has learned from its recent missteps.

Speaking at the prestigious Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce on Thursday, Stride made a key pledge: the Conservatives will avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, specifically promising to refrain from making financially unfeasible commitments.

However, the absence of specific policy details leaves many questioning whether this speech marks a genuine shift towards economic responsibility, or simply represents another attempt at damage control.