It has not been a good start to the political season for the Tories. The concrete debacle in schools plays directly into Labour’s narrative and voter concerns more generally that the country just isn’t working under this government. The problem for the Tories is that after 14 years in power, however unfair on some issues, there is nowhere left for them to hide.
But this morning’s YouGov poll outlined in The Times is the most startling confirmation yet of the Tories’ decline. This blog is being written whilst travelling, so no images, I am afraid, but what could capture these results…?
Over half the public will not contemplate voting Conservative at the next election. The Conservative Party is seen as just too right wing on all major issues, specifically public service spending. Only on transgender rights and illegal migration is there some alignment, but these are not priorities for the electorate.
Sunak is the most competent PM since a pre-Brexit Cameron, but he seems not to be resonating with the electorate. Only 26% think he is doing a good job, and he has a terrible approval rating of minus 41% capped only by the Tories’ approval rating of minus 48%. Starmer is in smaller negative territory but is less popular than his party. Ironically, that is not a bad place to be.
Labour is starting to feel like a government in waiting and with a few positive policy announcements, could clean up at the next election. 2024 is certainly starting to feel like 1997, even if there is not the same enthusiasm as there was for Blair.
As for the Conservative Party, it needs to move towards the centre. If the siren voices of its right-wing prevail, it is game over for a generation.
Inside Right Politics 