Rishi Sunak’s election campaign is experiencing turmoil, with internal strife, strategic missteps, and controversial policies casting doubt on his leadership and the Conservative Party’s stability. Here’s the full story.
Cloud of Discontent
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s election campaign, which began under a literal cloud of discontent, has continued to stagger rapidly towards the cliff edge, as even Conservative MPs have begun to rebel.
Embarrassing Setbacks
Amidst a string of humiliating failures, Sunak faces mounting discontent within the Conservative Party regarding the campaign’s management. As a result, he is finding it increasingly challenging to keep a grip on a party that is becoming increasingly divided.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Since the campaign began, Sunak has had to deal with a drenched campaign launch, a visit to the Titanic Quarter in Belfast that led to him being compared to the captain of a sinking ship, the defection of Lucy Allan, the Conservative MP for Telford, to Reform UK, and a public rebuke from Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker over Sunak’s poorly thought-out and seemingly poorly researched proposal for mandatory national service.
“Dreamed up by Advisers”
Steve Baker described the policy as an ill-conceived idea “dreamed up by advisers and sprung on candidates.”
No Clear Answers
The confusion surrounding the policy’s implementation further exacerbated the issue. Sunak struggled to provide clear answers on how the policy would work, particularly regarding fines for those who refused to answer the call to national service.
“Damaged the Party”
The situation has become so untenable that Conservative peer Zac Goldsmith spoke out, accusing Sunak publicly of having “damaged the party almost beyond repair”.
“Some Decent MPs Left”
He continued, “The hope is that when Sunak disappears off to California in a few weeks there are at least some decent MPs left around which to rebuild.”
“I’m Surprised”
Sunak, campaigning in Amersham, responded angrily to Goldsmith’s comments, stating, “I’m surprised at Lord Goldsmith, who I don’t think I’ve spoken to in a very long time, has some intimate knowledge of my family’s arrangements.”
“This Is My Home”
Upon further questioning, journalists asked if he planned to leave. Sunak replied curtly, “Of course not. My kids are at school; this is my home, and as I said earlier, my football team just got promoted to the Premier League.”
Campaigning Amidst Chaos
Despite his attempts to put a brave face on the situation, Sunak’s campaign efforts were further hampered by logistical and strategic missteps, leading one Conservative insider to tell the Guardian, “The operations side of things has not really been ready; the media and messaging have been all over the place.”
Increasingly Unwieldy Campaign
In an apparent attempt to distance themselves from Sunak’s increasingly unwieldy campaign, Conservative candidates up and down the country have increasingly adopted a discreet approach to branding their campaign materials.
Minimal Mention
Leaflets distributed by volunteers in battleground seats prominently featured local images and neutral branding, with minimal mention of Sunak or the Conservative Party.
Neutral and Local-Focused
The material, branded in green or pink rather than the traditional Tory blue, looks as though it was designed to appear as neutral and local-focused as possible, an attempt to distance itself from Sunak’s rapidly declining popularity.
Leaked Memo
As if all of this was not bad enough, the Conservative campaign’s internal discord was exposed thanks to a leaked internal memo revealing concerns about the lack of engagement from Conservative ministers and MPs.
Funds Low
The memo, accidentally sent to party MPs, criticised them for focusing too much on ministerial duties rather than campaigning and highlighted financial difficulties in key marginal seats such as Bury and Thurrock, where funds were reportedly running low.
Fraught With Mismanagement
The memo’s accidental release and subsequent recall added to the perception of a campaign fraught with mismanagement.
Tempted by Reform UK
To regain lost ground, Sunak announced a new policy to win back older Conservative voters tempted by the Reform Party.
“Triple Lock Plus”
The “triple lock plus” policy promised a new £100-a-year tax break for pensioners, estimated to cost £2.4 billion annually by 2029/30.
Risking Losses
Despite this tempting offer to voters, concerns persisted among some Conservative MPs that focusing too heavily on potential Reform voters might jeopardise their standing in traditionally strong Conservative areas, risking losses to the Liberal Democrats.
“Any Campaign Is Difficult”
Some within the Conservative Party stepped up to defend Sunak. Johnny Mercer, a Tory minister, told Times Radio, “I think any campaign is difficult. I think that any political party is a broad church and you’re going to have people within that organisation at that time unhappy with aspects of what’s going on. That’s completely normal.”
Strategic Blunders
Despite some ministers rallying to Sunak’s side, the campaign has been marked by strategic blunders, internal divisions, and controversial policy proposals that overshadow his leadership.
Overcoming Challenges
As the election campaign continues, it remains to be seen whether Sunak can overcome these challenges and restore the confidence of his party and, most importantly, the electorate.
25 Things You CAN’T Talk About Anymore
Remember the days when you could freely discuss just about anything without fear of sparking controversy? Well, those days are long gone. In today’s hyper-sensitive world, there are topics so fraught with tension that even mentioning them can lead to heated debates and hurt feelings. 25 Things You CAN’T Talk About Anymore
Stranded: 15 Worst British Cars in History
Ever had a car that spent more time with the mechanic than on the road? A car that turned every journey into a game of “Will we actually get there?” If so, you might just see a familiar face (or should we say, chassis) in our countdown to the most unreliable British car in history. Stranded: 15 Worst British Cars in History
“Britain Will Become Unrecognizable” – Suella Braverman Spells Disaster for UK Amid Steep Rise in Visas Issued
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has warned that Britain will become “unrecognizable,” criticizing the amount of work visas the Home Office has approved, despite only being removed from her role in November. “Britain Will Become Unrecognizable” – Suella Braverman Spells Disaster for UK Amid Steep Rise in Visas Issued
20 Things From the ‘70s That Are Not OK Today
Step into the time machine and set the dial to the 1970s, a decade of disco, bell-bottoms, and some rather questionable choices. While the ’70s gave us iconic music and groundbreaking TV, not everything from this groovy era would get a green light today. 20 Things From the ‘70s That Are Not OK Today
20 Best and Worst Universities in the UK
Navigating the UK university landscape is like deciphering a complex code of rankings, reviews, and reputations to uncover where you’ll not just learn, but truly flourish. Whether you’re drawn to the historic halls of Oxford or the creative buzz of Goldsmiths, finding your perfect fit is about aligning your aspirations with the unique offerings of each institution. 20 Best and Worst Universities in the UK
The post Week From Hell: Rishi Sunak’s Campaign Goes From Bad to Worse first appeared on Edge Media.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / JessicaGirvan.
Grant Gallacher is a seasoned writer with expertise in politics and impactful daily news. His work, deeply rooted in addressing issues that resonate with a wide audience, showcases an unwavering commitment to bringing forth the stories that matter. He is also known for satirical writing and stand up comedy.