Conservative party rule in the UK for fourteen years has led to Brexit, Covid, economic instability, and political controversies, leaving many Britons disillusioned and worse off.
Throughout this time, the Tories have seen five prime ministers come and go, with three in four months in 2022 alone, and they seem unlikely to secure a fifth term on July 4.
Despite efforts by Rishi Sunak and others warning against giving Keir Starmer’s Labour party too much power in parliament, polls showing a 20-point lead for Labour remain steadfast.
However, public trust in politicians has diminished significantly, and the election campaign has not succeeded in restoring it.
According to Tim Bale, a politics professor at Queen Mary University of London, this erosion of trust can be traced back to the aftermath of the global financial crisis in 2008.
While Brexit was presented as an opportunity to focus on crucial issues like the economy, healthcare, education, and policing after Johnson promised to “get Brexit done,” the Conservatives failed to deliver on these promises.
– Brexit –
The 2016 referendum on EU membership resulted in a 52 percent “leave” vote and a 48 percent “remain” vote.
Following the referendum, David Cameron resigned as prime minister, Theresa May struggled to secure parliamentary approval for her Brexit deal, and Boris Johnson eventually oversaw the UK’s departure from the EU in 2020.
Johnson’s handling of Covid and the revelation of lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street led to his downfall in July 2022.
The current state of the Tories, according to Bale, can be attributed to Johnson and Truss damaging the party’s reputation for integrity and economic credibility.
Sunak’s tenure has been marked by public and private sector strikes due to the high cost of living, with inflation at 2.3 percent and stagnant salaries.
– Pessimism –
Economic growth and productivity are stagnant, the tax burden is at a 70-year high, and the wealth gap has widened since 2012, causing the UK to be one of the most unequal countries in Europe and the G7.
Voters are pessimistic about the future, with more than a third believing the economy will worsen and only one in five saying the country is headed in the right direction.
Despite some positive aspects like low unemployment and successes in education and global warming efforts, the election is focused on the NHS and cost of living, with the Tories emphasizing immigration and tax cuts.
Labour is benefiting from the Tories’ challenges, but experts warn that the financial and economic situation facing the next leader, Keir Starmer, will be difficult.
