Why should the British public back a visionless party that no longer seems to believe in anything?
What is Rishi Sunak’s purpose, his personal mission? Why should he, rather than Sir Keir Starmer, be in No 10? How is a Tory government proposing to fix the myriad problems plaguing our country? How will Sunak improve the lives of potential Conservative voters?
Staggeringly, I have yet to meet a single Tory who can answer any of these questions, other than to plead that Labour would be even worse. I agree with this latter point, but that’s not enough. Millions of voters will listen to Starmer’s message – nothing works any more after 12 years of Conservative-led governments, and it’s time for a change – and nod approvingly.
I really like the Prime Minister, a ferociously intelligent, capable and moral man, but in 2022 a commitment not to precipitate a fiscal crisis is not enough to inspire a nation. It’s a necessary condition to govern, not a sufficient one. It doesn’t explain why voters should stick with the Tories, rather than give the other lot a chance.
If it is too difficult to discern what the Government believes in, other than Brexit and proceeding to net zero at a slightly slower rate than demanded by activists, it’s easier to enumerate the principles it has jettisoned.