Can Sunak find the common touch?

A former Tory minister likes to tell the tale of a recent charity dinner in his constituency. The organiser began by stressing that the occasion had to remain ‘a strictly non-political event’. The MP rose to reply: ‘Not to worry, ladies and gentlemen – I belong to a strictly non-political party.’

That question of Rishi Sunak’s political instincts – or lack thereof – is preoccupying Tory MPs. Three recent encounters are held up as examples. An ill-judged bet with Piers Morgan was followed by a warm embrace with the Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle O’Neill. Images of this latter encounter went down badly with Tory MPs who served in the military. The hat-trick was completed by a row over Sunak’s comments in Prime Minister’s Questions about transgender women in a session attended by the mother of the murdered trans teenager Brianna Ghey.

Yet while some MPs question how the Prime Minister will fare on the doorstep, he remains undaunted. From now until the general election, Sunak will spend most Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays on the road, meeting voters. The plan was agreed before Christmas, with the full-time return of election guru Isaac Levido in January marking a greater push to get Sunak out of Westminster. Across those three days, much government business will be conducted remotely.

Both publicly and privately, Tory insiders insist they remain wedded to the 80:20 strategy. Under this plan, devised when the party’s polling was much higher, the Conservatives will defend 80 of their closest marginal seats, while also fighting to win a further 20 constituencies. Scotland, north London and close-run races like Zarah Sultana’s Labour Coventry South seat are thought to offer the most likely potential gains. It’s a strategy which forces Sunak to travel the country in his Range Rover, stocked with a ready supply of his favourite Haribo and other sweets.