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Good morning! On the surface, Rishi Sunak’s strategy seems logical. However, I have some concerns about its execution. Read on to learn more. Thank you for sharing your quick and easy vegetarian pasta recipes. I’m excited to try them out before heading to Liverpool for the Labour party conference. Georgina Quach edits Inside Politics. Follow Stephen on X @stephenkb and send any tips, thoughts, or feedback to [email protected].
The Philosophy Behind Rishi Sunak’s Strategy
The idea behind Rishi Sunak’s new approach is solid: in order to win, he needs to show that his party has changed, rejuvenated, and capable of doing the same for the country. One way to demonstrate this change is by engaging in public disputes, be it with the Labour party or within his own party. These disputes, often garnering more attention than the actual proposals, signal that the Prime Minister is reshaping the Conservative party. Sunak’s aim in talking about “30 years” of failure is to shift the focus of the next election from the past 13 years of Conservative rule to the past 30, during which the party has only been in power for 17. So, in a sense, it’s a good day for Sunak when David Cameron, George Osborne, and Boris Johnson criticize his plan to scrap the northern leg of HS2. Moreover, the Prime Minister hopes that his proposal to raise the smoking age annually to create a smoke-free generation will generate similar disputes among Tory members. However, there’s a major issue: all these disputes only showcase how the Conservative party has changed from supporting a high-speed railway from London to Manchester that costs more than planned, to supporting a high-speed railway from London to Birmingham that also costs more than planned. The government once disliked the sale of cigarettes to the extent that it mandated plain packaging, but now it dislikes them so much that it believes no one born after 2009 should have the choice to purchase them. The government’s messaging on net zero is also confusing, as sometimes it announces significant changes while other times it announces minor tweaks.
Contrasting Phases of Conservative Renewal
When Johnson led the Conservative party back into government in 2019, he made substantial shifts in areas that mattered to voters to demonstrate that the party had changed. Appointing Priti Patel as Home Secretary signaled a departure from Theresa May’s reform-minded approach towards the police, returning to a traditional law-and-order stance. Sajid Javid’s September spending round focused on increasing public expenditure across the board to prove that the party had abandoned the austerity measures of the Cameron-Osborne era. When Cameron took the Conservative party back into power, he had promised to adhere to Labour’s target of eliminating child poverty. He also apologized for his own voting record on gay rights and the Conservative party’s introduction of section 28. Cameron implemented reforms to increase the representation of women and ethnic minorities within the party. Both Johnson and Cameron’s successful renewals of the Conservative party were characterized by significant changes and a focus on important issues that resonate with voters. Sunak and his ministers may genuinely believe that a meat tax is imminent, which could explain the lack of policy proposals on this matter. The theory behind Sunak’s new approach is logical. However, if he wants to demonstrate meaningful change and show that he represents change, he needs to do much more than announce minor modifications to government policies. This is especially true for policy areas where voters generally agree but don’t have strong opinions either way.
A Marginal Note
Voters will head to the polls today for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, which was triggered by the removal of former Scottish National Party MP, Margaret Ferrier. The outcome of the election is unlikely to provide substantial insights, unless the polling in Scotland is significantly off. This seat is on the edge of Labour’s target list in Scotland, and the specific local circumstances do not favor the SNP.
Now try this
On my way back from the Conservative party conference, Robert Shrimsley kindly drove me as the trains were affected by strikes. During the journey, we enjoyed listening to Glenn Gould’s excellent recording of the Goldberg Variations, some Bob Dylan, and Robert introduced me to a delightful jazz quintet called Ezra Collective, a band I hadn’t come across before. I’ve added their music to the Inside Politics Spotify playlist. In return, I gave Robert a lengthy explanation of how the new Star Wars series Ahsoka fits into the broader franchise. Despite my lengthy discourse, Robert didn’t desert me at a service station.
Top stories today
“The facts have changed” – Rishi Sunak announced yesterday that he is scrapping the northern leg of the HS2 high-speed rail line to Manchester as part of a series of “radical” policies to transform Britain. He claims that 36 billion pounds can be saved by cancelling the northern section of HS2, and that the savings will be directed towards more cost-effective road, rail, and bus projects, including connections between northern cities.
Months in the making – The genesis of this about-face, announced by Sunak in the very city where HS2 was originally intended to reach, began last autumn shortly after he assumed office.
Out of touch with reality – University leaders and education unions have expressed skepticism towards the UK government’s proposed overhaul of post-16 education in England, arguing that it is disconnected from reality.
Overhauling Euston Station – Rishi Sunak has revealed plans to involve private sector developers in the transformation of Euston station in central London and create a development similar to Canary Wharf in Labour leader Keir Starmer’s constituency.
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