When Rishi Sunak stood outside Downing Street on May 22 to announce a snap election, he declared he was “prepared to take bold action for our country to flourish.”
As the rain poured down, soaking his suit, Sunak claimed that the Conservative party was the only one capable of weathering the political storm and warned that Labour would undo his progress.
Rishi Sunak is predicted to lose the election to a Labour landslide. Picture: PA
Sunak repeatedly emphasized that he “had a plan,” unlike Labour.
On the contentious issues of housing development and the lack of affordable homes for young families, he promised not to sacrifice the Garden of England. Housing targets would become advisory rather than compulsory. On pollution in rivers and at beaches, he pledged to be tough on water companies.
However, he said little about the impact of new exit and entry arrangements for non-EU travelers on Kent’s overburdened road network.
There would be more funding for potholes, but not enough to address the significant backlog.
His manifesto promised much, and the snap poll was indeed a bold move—one that caught even seasoned political commentators by surprise, as well as many within his own party.
Rishi Sunak said “next to nothing about the impact of new exit and entry arrangements for non-EU travellers on Kent’s creaking road network”
Instead of leading his party to victory, he has led them to the brink of political oblivion, causing a meltdown that has exposed the party to potentially lasting political damage.
It seemed like a last-ditch effort, and amidst unease over the election’s timing, things began to unravel.
His pledge to address the ongoing problem of Channel crossings seemed like a vague aspiration. His vow to crack down on smugglers was a reiteration of a previous statement, lacking substance.
Sunak was further undermined by the dramatic rejection of then-Conservative MP for Dover, Natalie Elphicke, who criticized his record in office and claimed he had failed to fulfill his promises.
But it was Nigel Farage’s return to the political forefront that posed the greatest challenge for Sunak. Rather than sidelining him, Sunak allowed Farage to dominate the conversation, leading to growing despair among his supporters.
Farage, the polarizing politician, soon took charge of the debate, with Sunak trailing behind.
In the inevitable political post-mortem, the Conservatives will need to examine why they failed to prevent their supporters from defecting to the Reform UK Party.
“Rishi Sunak’s pledge to tackle channel crossings was seen as a vague aspiration”. Photo Gareth Fuller/PA
Farage’s reversal on standing for election rather than staying out of the race was a pivotal moment. He galvanized supporters with his straightforward speech and committed to the long haul—something he had never done before.
Reform UK is likely to have siphoned off a significant portion of the Conservative vote and may also have drawn support from other parties.
If the party performs as poorly as exit polls suggest, it could lead to a split, with the ‘One Nation’ centrist MPs clashing with those advocating for a shift further to the right.
Farage has hinted at a potential merger between the Reform UK Party and the Conservatives. Whether that happens or not, his long-term commitment may concern some.
Farage’s eighth attempt to become an MP might succeed, increasing his political influence. Regardless, his continued presence on the political stage will make many uneasy.
The Conservatives risk falling into internal debates and recriminations at a time when economic recovery is still fragile and the cost-of-living crisis is making it difficult for many to pay their bills.
This may also become Labour’s challenge if they form the next government.
Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Party are on course for a substantial majority
Nearly three decades have passed since Labour, under Tony Blair, swept to power in 1997 with the declaration, “A new dawn has broken…isn’t it wonderful?”
If Labour wins, as seems likely, Sir Keir Starmer will face a very different political landscape as the tectonic plates shift.
Throughout the six-week campaign, the opinion polls have remained relatively stable, with a consistent gap between Labour and the Conservatives.
Kent may experience a political shift, but changing the party in power will not solve all its problems.
