UK Conservative Party Faces Challenges in the Polls as Public Perception Turns Negative
The Conservative Party in the United Kingdom is grappling with declining support and negative public perception, according to recent opinion polls. A survey conducted by Savanta UK asked 2,000 individuals to describe the right-wing party, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and the top terms that emerged were useless, rubbish, bad, incompetent, and corrupt. These findings highlight the challenges faced by the ruling party, which has been in power since 2010 but has struggled with scandals, high-profile resignations, and accusations of incompetence.
The declining poll ratings suggest that the Conservative Party could experience a significant defeat in the next general election against the opposition Labour Party. Experts argue that the party’s reliance on populist messages, such as focusing on stopping small refugee and migrant boats and turning away from climate commitments, may be contributing to its setbacks. James Mitchell, a professor at the University of Edinburgh, suggests that the party should shift its focus to address the pressing cost-of-living crisis and gain a better understanding of the needs and wants of the general public.
During the Conservative Party conference, Home Secretary Suella Braverman emphasized her anti-immigration stance and warned of an impending hurricane of mass migration towards Britain. This rhetoric, coupled with Sunak’s environmental policies accused of rolling back crucial climate targets, has polarized the country further, already dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis, and the divisive Brexit process.
Despite the party’s desperate position in the polls, the Conservatives are hopeful that they can regain support before the next election, which is scheduled for no later than January 2025. Their strategy involves wooing culturally conservative voters who have been tempted to vote for opposition parties due to the state of the economy and public services. They also aim to win over voters who have been swayed by the radical right-wing populist Reform Party.
In Scotland, where the Scottish National Party (SNP) government has clashed with the UK government over the prospect of a second independence referendum, the Conservatives hope to challenge the SNP’s dominance in Scottish politics by focusing on the North Sea oil and gas industry. By advocating for the extraction of resources from the region, the Conservatives hope to gain support in a country where the SNP currently holds the majority of Scottish seats in the UK Parliament.
However, with the Conservatives trailing behind Labour by around 20 points in the polls, anti-Conservative sentiment is rising among voters. Many express dissatisfaction with the government’s treatment of refugees, migrants, and asylum-seekers, viewing the party’s language as divisive and harmful to society. For these voters, support for the Labour Party is primarily driven by opposition to the Conservative Party rather than unyielding support for Labour’s policies.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent conference speech has faced backlash from various quarters. He announced the cancellation of the northern English section of the HS2 high-speed rail project, which sparked criticism. Additionally, his statement regarding gender identity upset some members of the LGBTQ community. As the stakes are high for the Conservative Party, political analysts warn that once power is lost in Westminster, it tends to remain elusive for many years, citing the cyclical pattern of UK governments in recent history.
The upcoming election is pivotal and will determine the United Kingdom’s future path. As the Conservatives face challenges in the polls and negative public sentiment, they must confront these issues by addressing the cost-of-living crisis, understanding citizens’ needs, and charting a course that resonates with voters. Only time will tell if they can recover their standing and secure victory in the next general election.
