This sentiment was epitomized by a spokesperson for Britain’s Conservative Alliance, an obscure anti-Sunak movement, who announced at midday on the day of the local election results: “We’re going to the pub”, suggesting that drowning their sorrows would be worth better worth it. than plotting in response to the electoral rout.
Even those who ask the Prime Minister for bold actions or displays of passion seem to know deep down that none will come.
A series of potential game-changing moments – including genuine surprises, such as Cameron being reinstated as prime minister and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt trumpeting his ambition to abolish National Insurance payments – have all come and gone without modifying the polls.
Sunak’s allies seek to present his determination to stubbornly stick to his plan despite the noise in the backbenches as a virtue.
Harriett Baldwin, Conservative MP and chair of the Treasury select committee, told POLITICO it was time to “stop all this exaggerated media speculation, unite behind the Prime Minister and continue to deliver on their promises”.
William Hague, a former Conservative leader and mentor to Sunak, called on the prime minister to resist knee-jerk populist solutions and focus on building a vision for the long-term future.
Politico
