Market choice has long been an article of faith in the Conservative party. But the Tories are less keen on competition when it comes to their own fate. Traditionally, the party’s historic market share ensured that, after some time in opposition, the pendulum eventually swung back their way. That rule no longer holds true.
This month’s local elections offered a painful case study in consumer choice. With five serious parties on offer, just 15 per cent of voters chose to back the Conservatives. Polls suggest that, in a general election, the onetime ‘natural party of government’ would be reduced to barely two dozen seats. ‘Existential’ is the word favoured by many Tories to describe their party’s plight.
Inevitably, some want to ‘sack the management’. Kemi Badenoch has only been in the job for six months – but that did not stop the outgoing leader of North Northamptonshire Council from demanding she quit. Those close to the party leader stress that they appreciate the gravity of the results. ‘We know we cannot have another cycle like this,’ admits one aide.
Many in Badenoch’s team had hoped that the first 12 months would allow the party to rebuild following the worst defeat in its history. The Tories had been in power for so long that none of the shadow cabinet had served as opposition ministers before. Time, Badenoch’s allies stressed, was needed.
Yet the rise of Reform necessitates a rethink: a five-year strategy to rebuild the party needs to line up with political reality. Now some MPs are wondering if Badenoch will be afforded another 12 months. ‘There is a vacuum,’ admits one MP.
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