Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a British election much earlier than anticipated has stirred strong emotions among Conservative lawmakers, ranging from tears to frustration. Many Conservative MPs, some fighting to retain their seats, feel that six weeks may not be enough to sway skeptical voters. For those planning to step down, the sudden decision means an unexpected and abrupt end to their political careers, requiring them to clear out their offices months ahead of schedule. According to a grassroots Conservative campaign coordinator, party morale is at its lowest in fifty years.
Despite the discontent within his party, Sunak remained resolute, telling workers at a distribution center that the economy is improving, with inflation falling, energy bills decreasing, wages rising, and growth increasing. “So look, even though there is more work to do … the plan is working and we have that economic stability back,” Sunak told the workers, maintaining an upbeat tone in stark contrast to the mood among many Conservative lawmakers.
After the initial shock of Sunak’s announcement, which only a few close advisers knew about, many Conservative candidates began to grasp the uphill battle they face to retain their parliamentary seats. The redrawing of electoral boundaries added to the uncertainty, leaving some unsure if they would even have a seat to contest. Out of eight Conservative lawmakers Reuters spoke to, seven expressed confusion and frustration about the election’s timing, while only one believed it was the right decision given the current state of the economy. None were confident in securing a parliamentary majority.
The Spark Has Gone
One anonymous Conservative lawmaker criticized Sunak for not consulting the parliamentary party, calling it a breach of basic courtesy. A Conservative staffer reported spending much of the night in tears following the announcement. Ed Costello, chair of Grassroots Conservatives, highlighted a decline in party activism and fundraising efforts, stating that morale is the lowest he has seen in five decades. “The spark has gone. There is a lot of tiredness. People are just fed up.”
This internal strife does not bode well for a party that has been in power for 14 years. The Conservatives have trailed the opposition Labour Party by about 20 percentage points since July last year. Sunak’s assertion that the country is turning a corner does little to inspire voters, who are weary of the scandals and dramas associated with Conservative governments over the past decade. A 2023 Ipsos poll revealed that only 9% of the British public trusts politicians to tell the truth, the lowest level since the survey began in 1983.
More than sixty-five Conservative MPs have announced their departure at the upcoming election, including notable figures like former prime minister Theresa May. This exodus is reminiscent of the party’s massive losses before their landslide defeat in 1997. Many candidates plan to distance themselves from Sunak and the party, focusing on local issues instead. “I am going to focus on local issues, and only those,” said one candidate with a wry smile.
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