Sarah Stook is beat reporter for Elections Daily and assistant editor for the Mallard.
Watching the Tory leadership contenders’ speeches last week left me with a profound sense of dismay. I was yet to get behind any particular candidate. This remains the case. With the members’ vote looming, I really must make a decision. The problem is that I am completely uninspired.
Maybe I’m too picky, but I think it’s fair to say that when you’re considering the leader of a party, opposition, and a potential Prime Minister, you want the best possible options. Unfortunately, I’m not sure how good ours are. I understand that the party’s terrible performance at the election narrowed the pool of candidates significantly, but I have yet to take a specific interest in any of the MPs who want my vote.
Kemi Badenoch talks the right talk. She had a strong understanding of the importance of cultural issues, and that has made her popular with many on the more conservative wing of the party. She also talks about the negative role of the state in overregulation. The problem is that I don’t see a plan. How is she going to shrink the state? How is she going to change societal norms regarding culture when she doesn’t want to involve the state in everything?
James Cleverly shows more charisma and affability. I’ve met him- he’s a nice guy, who listened to my question and answered it well. His speech was well-received at conference. Unfortunately, the recent news about his involvement in the Chagos Islands affair has somewhat soured his reputation. In a time of great global strife, can we trust his judgment?
Tom Tugendhat speaks of the importance of the military and defence in a time of crisis, which I appreciate. Unfortunately, I don’t know what he stands for beyond that. Even worse, he’s got a tendency to flip-flop. Just two years ago, Tugendhat didn’t support leaving the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), but now he claims he is prepared to leave it. I understand that people change their minds- God knows I have- but the timing is suspicious, don’t you think?
Let’s not forget Robert Jenrick. He’s given the people what they want with strong rhetoric on immigration, but it all seems rather new. Like Tugendhat, I don’t know where he stands on a lot of issues. He’s desperately trying to crown himself as the Heir to Thatcher, especially with the announcement that it is his daughter’s middle name (why not Margaret?).
It’s all well and good to sell a vision, but how able are they to share that vision? After all, both the country and the Conservative Party are at incredibly low points. We’re burdened with the highest tax burden since the days of Clement Attlee, uncompetitive wages, and a high cost of living which includes rent and housing costs.
Whilst the Labour Party promised the earth when campaigning, when it came down to it, people weren’t voting for them because they liked what they said. A YouGov poll revealed that a whopping 48 per cent of respondents said that their main reason for voting Labour in 2024 was ‘to get the Tories out.’ 13 per cent said that the country needed a change, but only 5 per cent agreed with their policies. If that is reflective of the country at large, then the Conservatives need a shakeup.
The Conservatives are in Opposition, not Government. I know that. Their wings are clipped, especially with such a stonking majority. Still, I want a Leader of the Opposition who will hold the government to account. With Labour’s controversial policies including means testing the winter fuel payment, and their MPs having such a penchant for freebies, we need the Conservatives to keep them on their toes.
Unfortunately, I do not see any of the candidates doing that. Whilst we might see some popcorn-worthy moments at PMQs, that does not mean that they are going to be any good.
The role of the new leader is to also steer the party into an electable position. That involves more than just being a palatable figure to the public. It involves shaping the party’s ideological position, relationship with its members, and its standing in public life. One candidate may be more charismatic than the other, but again, charisma does not equal electable.
Ideology aside, I still feel as though none of the candidates are quite up to the mark. I could be wrong- they could be the next Winston Churchill, but I somewhat doubt that. They might not even make it to the next election before a scandal or vote of no confidence hits them. Whatever the case, when the ballot hits my inbox, I will be hesitating- whoever the final two are. When I vote, my heart will not be in it.
I am willing to be persuaded. If you have a strong view and a convincing argument, I’m all ears. Until then, that feeling of dismay remains.
