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What should the Tories do now?

(227 Posts)
Whitewavemark2 Sun 05-May-24 17:17:17

Braverman thinks that they should tack to the right. Leave the ECHR and cut taxes thus cutting back services.

Sunak thinks they should carry on as they are.

Andrew Street thinks that they should move to a more central inclusive conservatism. One nation.

I hope that they opt for one of the first two, because I want a Labour government, and that is one of the reasons (amongst others) that the voter is rejecting them.

If they do what Street suggests I think that many more people would be tempted to vote for the Tories, although I don’t think there is sufficient time for the Tories to show that they are indeed more inclusive and have turned away from their divisive, hardline policies.

brummie Tue 07-May-24 12:41:57

Starmer like Sunak has supported a genocide. He will be remembered for his assertion that Israel had the right to cut off food and water supplies to more than 2 million people. Further, the money spent on weapons and illicit wars could go into education and the nhs. Neither leader has a moral compass.

knspol Tue 07-May-24 12:23:23

I don't think the Tories have time to try and turn things around or change the minds of many voters so although I don't want to see Starmer as PM I think the best thing for the country to avoid all this worldwide uncertainty is to call a GE asap. Don't think this will happen though as Sunak seems very blinkered where public opinion is concerned. Time in opposition and a new leader is what they need and not Truss or Johnson.

Grantanow Tue 07-May-24 11:52:55

They need several years in the wilderness. The 26% swing in Blackpool says its all. People are fed up with the Tories. The things that matter for most people - the cost of living, mortgage rates (thanks Truss), food banks working overtime, poor local authority services for which we are paying ever increasing counsil tax, energy costs, an NHS waiting list that was already very long before the pandemic thanks to Tory underfunding and recent figures that show wages are not keeping up with inflation despite Tory lies. People are not gulled by Tory spin about trans issues, wokeism, Rwanda. They want action on the things that matter directly to their everyday lives. And of course Tory backsliding about climate change.

Dickens Tue 07-May-24 10:42:02

Freya5

growstuff

NanKate

As a Conservative who realises that Labour will win, my concern is about women’s rights and whether Sir K Starmer will support women 100% and be prepared to say that someone with male parts is definitely not a woman, he has seemed uncertain at times. 😏

Maybe we should ask his wife.

Asking his wife gives no idea how He will stand on trans ideology.

It was a gaffe. It annoyed me as much as it did lots of other women - mostly because I think he was attempting to be 'on-trend' or on-message with the culture surrounding trans matters, which his later back-pedalling would seem to indicate.

However, many politicians do exactly the same thing, including Rishi Sunak, when they try to speak the language or 'adopt' the culture of those they are trying to impress; Sunak once told schoolboys he was a "coke addict" in an effort to connect with them. Another time - when he was putting on his man-of-the-people mantel he told us how he and his daughters ordered a particular McDonald's item that had in fact long been removed from its menu. Similarly he was unable to use a contactless-card which is a normal payment method for the millions of voters he attempts to convince he has an affinity with.

All minor stuff but hugely indicative of the effort politicians make to persuade us that they are the man-of-the-people.

So I'd judge neither Starmer nor Sunak on that basis - it's their bread-and-butter modus operandi, though a bit of honesty wouldn't go amiss...

That observation from Starmer did put me off - but I'm looking at their future manifestos and promises overall. I think there will be more gaffes and "mis-speaking" before the wheel stops spinning, from all sides.

LizzieDrip Tue 07-May-24 09:00:46

He will stand on trans ideology

Keir Starmer will stand on many, many policies, not just trans issues. When he becomes PM he’s got a mountain to climb to fix the mess left by 14 years of Tory mismanagement.

Freya5 Tue 07-May-24 08:52:11

growstuff

NanKate

As a Conservative who realises that Labour will win, my concern is about women’s rights and whether Sir K Starmer will support women 100% and be prepared to say that someone with male parts is definitely not a woman, he has seemed uncertain at times. 😏

Maybe we should ask his wife.

Asking his wife gives no idea how He will stand on trans ideology.

Freya5 Tue 07-May-24 08:50:29

Casdon

You’re right Freya5. I mean Boris, ex and in some Tory minds, future PM. It’s hard to forget images of our country being represented by somebody who looks like they have been dragged through a hedge backwards. Sunak always looks washed and smart, I agree. I do think it’s important because it shows respect for the role, and the whole country and others, judge what they see.

I agree, when you look at world leaders no one looked like Boris. A clever man, not in many eyes I know, but not a leader. Wonder where we would be if someone else had won the vote. Too late now, we are were we are, 😔

LizzieDrip Tue 07-May-24 08:44:19

^It’s just a lazy Tory mantra, when people can’t put their finger on any recent misdemeanours. What they mean is they don’t like him because he’s Labour.
I don’t care how boring he is. He speaks well, thinks before he acts, has strong principles, doesn’t look like an unmade bed, and has some good people in his team^

👏👏👏💯

MaizieD Tue 07-May-24 08:29:25

Had Johnson been honest, decent, competent and hardworking it wouldn't have mattered the slightest to me what he looked like.

Casdon Tue 07-May-24 07:48:09

You’re right Freya5. I mean Boris, ex and in some Tory minds, future PM. It’s hard to forget images of our country being represented by somebody who looks like they have been dragged through a hedge backwards. Sunak always looks washed and smart, I agree. I do think it’s important because it shows respect for the role, and the whole country and others, judge what they see.

Freya5 Tue 07-May-24 07:38:22

Casdon

Cossy

NanKate

As a Conservative who realises that Labour will win, my concern is about women’s rights and whether Sir K Starmer will support women 100% and be prepared to say that someone with male parts is definitely not a woman, he has seemed uncertain at times. 😏

Really? This is repeated so often it’s become a tad boring tbh.

With strong females surrounding him, both politically and personally, the last thing I’d worry about is his stance on women’s rights.

It’s just a lazy Tory mantra, when people can’t put their finger on any recent misdemeanours. What they mean is they don’t like him because he’s Labour.
I don’t care how boring he is. He speaks well, thinks before he acts, has strong principles, doesn’t look like an unmade bed, and has some good people in his team.

Sunak certainly does not look like an unmade bed. Ah you mean Boris, our ex PM.

Birthto110 Mon 06-May-24 23:06:52

Attracting younger voters would be a start - and potentially harnessing what only Corbyn seemed to have managed to do, -I mean in enthusing large numbers of younger people that politics isn't just trying to woo people in the U3A bracket.
It's an ageing population these days - and it's sad that younger folk - the nation's future when parents and grandparents are long gone - often can't afford housing /rent/mortgage and won't even be able to afford to start a family or devote any time to caring for little ones.
It takes two or three adults working full time just to meet housing/rental costs/bills Not sure where it will all end.

Greta Mon 06-May-24 22:56:49

I certainly believe many people believe "we just can't afford it/the money just isn't there". And it suits the government that they do.

MaizieD Mon 06-May-24 22:34:56

growstuff

Dickens

MaizieD

MRGUDER

If I were Sunak, I'd spend every penny in the UK coffers, get massive loans to build new hospitals, increase defence, increase social care. Train loads of people to be Doctors & Nurses.

Then leave a note on Starmer's desk to say Sorry I've spent it all. Enjoy.

But as the UK doesn't have 'coffers', but is able to issue its own money in any amount it likes, so long as there are resources available on which to spend it, that wouldn't be the killer plan you might think it is.

However, it's the last thing that the current tory government would dream of doing because they are completely against increasing state spending..

However, it's the last thing that the current tory government would dream of doing because they are completely against increasing state spending..

I do wonder just how many people really get this as opposed to believing that there's just no money to spend?

I only say this because I've heard so many of my friends and acquaintances say it, and justify the lack of public spending for this reason.

Most people believe it, I would think.

That belief doesn't make for rational decisions when it comes to evaluating party's spending plans before a general election. 😠

growstuff Mon 06-May-24 20:47:46

Dickens

MaizieD

MRGUDER

If I were Sunak, I'd spend every penny in the UK coffers, get massive loans to build new hospitals, increase defence, increase social care. Train loads of people to be Doctors & Nurses.

Then leave a note on Starmer's desk to say Sorry I've spent it all. Enjoy.

But as the UK doesn't have 'coffers', but is able to issue its own money in any amount it likes, so long as there are resources available on which to spend it, that wouldn't be the killer plan you might think it is.

However, it's the last thing that the current tory government would dream of doing because they are completely against increasing state spending..

However, it's the last thing that the current tory government would dream of doing because they are completely against increasing state spending..

I do wonder just how many people really get this as opposed to believing that there's just no money to spend?

I only say this because I've heard so many of my friends and acquaintances say it, and justify the lack of public spending for this reason.

Most people believe it, I would think.

Dickens Mon 06-May-24 20:39:39

Cossy

Dickens

Many people still believe this!

Then are very surprised when money is suddenly “found”, Theresa May to pay the DUPs, Boris Johnson to pay the French (& god only knows what else), Sunak to fund Rwanda.

Unfortunately, politicians like to push the "maxed-out-credit-card" analogy so voters believe a national economy is run like a household budget.

That's how Austerity was foisted on us, and accepted.

Cossy Mon 06-May-24 19:19:19

Casdon I completely agree. Roll on the GE and let’s at least let’s know who and what we will have, atm nothing is a done-deal.

Cossy Mon 06-May-24 19:17:41

Dickens

Many people still believe this!

Then are very surprised when money is suddenly “found”, Theresa May to pay the DUPs, Boris Johnson to pay the French (& god only knows what else), Sunak to fund Rwanda.

Dickens Mon 06-May-24 19:03:46

MaizieD

MRGUDER

If I were Sunak, I'd spend every penny in the UK coffers, get massive loans to build new hospitals, increase defence, increase social care. Train loads of people to be Doctors & Nurses.

Then leave a note on Starmer's desk to say Sorry I've spent it all. Enjoy.

But as the UK doesn't have 'coffers', but is able to issue its own money in any amount it likes, so long as there are resources available on which to spend it, that wouldn't be the killer plan you might think it is.

However, it's the last thing that the current tory government would dream of doing because they are completely against increasing state spending..

However, it's the last thing that the current tory government would dream of doing because they are completely against increasing state spending..

I do wonder just how many people really get this as opposed to believing that there's just no money to spend?

I only say this because I've heard so many of my friends and acquaintances say it, and justify the lack of public spending for this reason.

Casdon Mon 06-May-24 18:57:11

Cossy

NanKate

As a Conservative who realises that Labour will win, my concern is about women’s rights and whether Sir K Starmer will support women 100% and be prepared to say that someone with male parts is definitely not a woman, he has seemed uncertain at times. 😏

Really? This is repeated so often it’s become a tad boring tbh.

With strong females surrounding him, both politically and personally, the last thing I’d worry about is his stance on women’s rights.

It’s just a lazy Tory mantra, when people can’t put their finger on any recent misdemeanours. What they mean is they don’t like him because he’s Labour.
I don’t care how boring he is. He speaks well, thinks before he acts, has strong principles, doesn’t look like an unmade bed, and has some good people in his team.

Iam64 Mon 06-May-24 18:50:48

Skye17

Curtaintwitcher

I don't think calling an election now is the right thing to do. The recent elections have shown how confused people are. The turn-out was low because many Conservative voters chose not to vote.
The vast majority of people in this country are working class. This means that, in theory, our government should always be Labour. The Conservatives can only get into power if the lower classes vote for them. Johnson knew that, which is why he visited working class areas and persuaded people to vote for him.
We need a party which cares about this country and will do what is best for it. The only ones who seem to are the Reform party. Everyone else is working to a certain agenda, which is destroying Britain.
Why don't more people care about what is happening?

The vast majority of people in this country are working class. This means that, in theory, our government should always be Labour.

According to the Guardian in 2016, writing about Ipsos Mori data:

//The proportion of households working in non-manual professions (known as ABC1s) was 50.6% at the turn of the millennium. It has since increased further, reaching 54.2% last year.//

www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2016/feb/26/uk-more-middle-class-than-working-class-2000-data?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

So the working class is now a minority.

What is the ‘certain agenda’ that is destroying Britain?
The idea that Labour only represents the ‘working class’ is so outdated. Labour represents people who earn their livings
Unlike the tories, it sees strong public services as the bedrock of productive positive society

Cossy Mon 06-May-24 18:47:54

NanKate

As a Conservative who realises that Labour will win, my concern is about women’s rights and whether Sir K Starmer will support women 100% and be prepared to say that someone with male parts is definitely not a woman, he has seemed uncertain at times. 😏

Really? This is repeated so often it’s become a tad boring tbh.

With strong females surrounding him, both politically and personally, the last thing I’d worry about is his stance on women’s rights.

growstuff Mon 06-May-24 18:16:09

NanKate

As a Conservative who realises that Labour will win, my concern is about women’s rights and whether Sir K Starmer will support women 100% and be prepared to say that someone with male parts is definitely not a woman, he has seemed uncertain at times. 😏

Maybe we should ask his wife.

growstuff Mon 06-May-24 18:15:38

Remember what Churchill allegedly said about Attlee: “A modest man with much to be modest about.” For a modest man, he certainly did a lot in the few years he was PM.

DamaskRose Mon 06-May-24 18:01:57

HousePlantQueen

For those describing Starmer as boring or mind numbing, I would suggest that this country has had enough of 'charismatic' politicians such as Johnson. Frankly, the delay in calling a GE is going to bite Sunak; it is increasingly obvious that the only motivation is the preservation of what remains of the Conservative party, there is no consideration for the electorate or the country as a whole.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻