Steve Hilton, formerly a senior adviser to ex-Prime Minister David Cameron, has outlined his vision for California, pledging a 'common sense' overhaul if elected governor. Speaking in his first UK interview since advancing to November's election, the Trump-backed Republican candidate told the BBC that his campaign aims to 'save' the state from what he describes as excessive bureaucracy and economic decline.
Hilton, who relocated to California in 2012, asserted that the state's traditional spirit of innovation and economic dynamism has been eroded by 16 years of Democratic governance. Running in the overwhelmingly liberal state, he presents his platform as pragmatic rather than ideological, focusing on practical solutions to everyday issues. He described his candidacy as an effort to restore affordability and opportunity in what he still considers 'the most incredible place in the world'.
Central to Hilton's economic proposals are significant tax cuts, deregulation, and a reduction in what he labels 'bloat and waste' within state government. He has specifically pledged a tax-free threshold on the first $100,000 (approximately £74,485) of income, along with measures to sharply lower energy prices and reduce housing costs. He argues that the quickest way to boost household finances is for the government to extract less money from citizens.
Hilton's political trajectory has been notable, transitioning from a key architect of the UK Conservative Party's 'Big Society' agenda under Cameron to an early supporter of Donald Trump in 2015. Despite this, he rejects being defined by either Cameron-era conservatism or Trump-era populism, framing his positions around a broader critique of stagnating wages and inequality, which he believes fuels populist movements across the political spectrum.
Addressing concerns about his alignment with former President Trump, whose approval ratings are low in California, Hilton insisted that Trump's endorsement is an 'asset for Californians'. He argued that co-operation with the federal administration could facilitate policy changes, particularly regarding energy, where he blames environmental restrictions for the state's reliance on imported oil despite domestic reserves. He also expressed opposition to California's 'sanctuary state' policies concerning immigration, advocating for greater co-operation with federal authorities.