Sunak Entering Election Mode
Next Westminster vote could come sooner than you think.
I noticed a shift in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s language yesterday that shows how increasing thought is being placed on the next General Election.
Of course that election could technically not be called by the PM until January 2025, a long while away still.
However Conservative Councillors I’ve spoken to believe there must be at least a decent prospect of it actually being called in May 2024.
Why? Well there are a whole host of local elections taking place then anyway. If the Tories get smashed at that set of elections, could they realistically recover enough momentum to win a subsequent General Election just months later?
Also, in terms of the ground campaign a further loss of Tory Councillors at local elections would obviously have an impact on the Conservative Party’s activist numbers.
Now of course logically you could look at the polls and think there’s no chance that Sunak will do anything other than go for an election at the latest moment available.
But I think the prospect of going early in May is certainly a possibility, and Sunak’s language reflects a Tory Leader who clearly has his eye on the next Westminster election now.
Speaking out on energy policy yesterday, Sunak said:
“I believe that British energy should come from Britain.
“That's why we’re backing carbon capture for the oil & gas industry in places like Aberdeenshire, which is where I am today.
“This will strengthen UK energy security, boost jobs and grow the economy.”
What I found interesting was the intensity of the attack on Labour from the PM who tweeted this:
“Labour: Ban new oil and gas licences. Rely 100% on imports. Protect Russian jobs. Risk UK security.
“Conservatives: Back new oil and gas licences. Power more of Britain from Britain. Protect British jobs. Strengthen UK security.”
These sorts of attack lines clearly demonstrate a Conservative Leader and PM somewhat in campaign mode.
A hardline green agenda is not popular with voters who want energy security, independence, cheaper bills and jobs in this country prioritised.
For instance YouGov recently asked:
“Do you think the Government are right or wrong to issue new licences for oil and gas drilling in the North Sea?”
Just 27% of voters opposed this move, with 42% backing the Government’s call on this.
Reform Leader Richard Tice claimed that the Government’s approach now reflected some of what his party has been calling for:
“Peak Net Zero has past. Tories now sensibly copying Reform UK domestic energy policies. Just need shale gas next.”
Will this sort of approach from the Government be enough to tempt Brexiteers to vote for the Conservatives at the next election?
Paid supporters, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
At the moment my vote is still with Reform..Let's not forget Sunak is good at talking. Let's see what he DOES about Net Zero and of course the lllegals and now the banking fiasco.
Brilliant news the North sea licences have been issued, what about fracking? We have heard more recent rhetoric from both Starmer and Sunak, that aligns better with common sense and what the majority of the voters want. Do we believe them? Sunak has refused to move the 2030 deadline on Diesel and Petrol cars - but perhaps because he does not have to. Its too far in the future to make a controversial political decision now. Our political system is utterly short sighted and does not make the best decision for our nation for the long term. However there is absolutely no way this car ban can go ahead, as we do not have anything near the electrical infrastructure in the country available, and nor do we have solid plans to deliver it either. EVs also have a lot of drawbacks not least the cost and nobody is discussing the considerable carbon overhead in their build. This dithering makes car manufacturers nervous and unwilling to invest. Nothing effective being said on immigration either legal or illegal either. We should be biting the bullet and training our own which we know will raise prices, but it will also lift wages. My vote is still staying with Reform.