Tories routed in two ‘safe’ seats. What will happen now? Sunak has never looked weaker – his trip to the Middle East has shown his lack of any semblence of statesmanship. Quite why he flew out there is puzzling – maybe he was hoping recalcerant conservative voters in Mid-Beds and Tamworth would turn out and vote tory. No such luck! The majority of tory M.P.s will be aware that he is unlikely to lead them even to an honourable defeat.
We know that there is a sizeable group around Truss – probably about 60+. however it is unlikely that they will coalesce behind her. She had her chance and blew it! Other front runners like Mordant, Braverman and Badenoch are probably too extreme for the majority of conservative voters. i wonder if we will see yet another leadership farce?
Is this a sign tat the majority of voters swinging into the middle. Starmer did not raise the Labour vote, it was more a case of tories not bothering to turn out? However as Labour firm up policies they are likely to increase their votes. Sunak seems to be putting his hopes on telling the electorate that the government for the past 12 years has be a disaster and he will change things for the better. However he seems to lack the political nous, gravitas or ability to convince people. Unless they work incredibly hard it is unlikely that either of last nights winners will win again in a General Election.
It was also heartening that the vote for the right wing groups was small, although totalled 8.1% in Tamworth. With tactical voting we could indeed see an armeggedon for the tories at the GE. Will those ‘true’ tories start to be more vocal – those in the centre have been too long in the shadow of the right wing (perhaps this is down to the lack of press coverage, who love the rapid right). In many ways British Politics needs a strong opposition?