Scandals can topple Sunak in the election

After partygate, mass resignations and then a gaming scandal: The UK's ruling Tory party appears to be heading towards a historic election defeat.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: July 04 2024

Scandals can topple Sunak in the election
Photo: Phil Noble/AP/TT

After partygate, mass defections, and then a gaming scandal: The UK's ruling Tory party appears to be heading for a historic election defeat.

The UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's days on Downing Street seem to be numbered. The Conservative Party (Tories), which has been in power for 14 years, has been shaken by scandals, defections, and dwindling voter support in recent years.

Now, opinion polls suggest that the party will get barely 20 percent of the votes in Thursday's election, far fewer than the disastrous 1997 election when the Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, celebrated a landslide victory.

We are witnessing the collapse of the Conservative Party in real-time, commented Emma Levin, deputy director of the British opinion institute Savanta, in June.

"Hasta la vista, baby!"

Trust in the Tory party has steadily declined since its peak in 2020, when then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson managed to push through the UK's exit from the EU after years of negotiations. However, Johnson, a colorful politician and former Mayor of London, quickly faced criticism for his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The criticism culminated in the so-called partygate scandal, where Johnson and several party colleagues were seen partying at the government offices during lockdown. The outrage led to Tory MP Christian Wakeford defecting to arch-rival Labour, and Johnson was forced to resign. In July 2022, he left the House of Commons with the famous words "Hasta la vista, baby!"

His successor, Liz Truss, survived only 44 days as Prime Minister, something the tabloid newspaper Daily Star made fun of by comparing her short-lived career to the shelf life of iceberg lettuce. During her time in power, Truss attempted to push through a "mini-budget" with large unfunded tax cuts that sent shockwaves through financial markets and caused the pound to plummet.

Sinking ship

When Sunak called the parliamentary election in May, many observers saw it as a desperate attempt to keep a sinking ship afloat. The UK's crisis-ridden economy, record-high tax revenues, and sky-high living costs are likely to further diminish the government party's chances of retaining power, writes Politico.

Several high-profile Conservative politicians have announced that they will not stand for re-election. Two Tory MPs have backed Labour leader Keir Starmer, and to add insult to injury, several people close to Sunak are accused of having placed bets on the election date.

Opinion polls suggest that the Tory party is heading for its lowest rating since World War I, only a few percentage points away from the right-wing populist Reform Party.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Hezbollah Leader Qassem: Group Will
2 MIN READ

Hezbollah Leader Qassem: Group Will Not Disarm Despite Pressures

USA to Relocate 1,000 Troops
1 MIN READ

USA to Relocate 1,000 Troops from Syria in Coming Months

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Congo River Boat Fire Leaves 148 Dead, Over 100 Still Missing

Trump Proposes New Rules for
2 MIN READ

Trump Proposes New Rules for Federal Employees to Enforce His Policies

Kyoto Bus Driver Loses Pension
1 MIN READ

Kyoto Bus Driver Loses Pension After Ticket Theft Ruling

Asean Calls on Myanmar Junta
1 MIN READ

Asean Calls on Myanmar Junta to Honor Ceasefire After Earthquake

Judge Blocks Trump's Plan to
1 MIN READ

Judge Blocks Trump's Plan to Cut CFPB Workforce

Australian Fighter for Ukraine Faces
1 MIN READ

Australian Fighter for Ukraine Faces Mercenary Charges in Luhansk

Venice Doubles Tourist Day-Trip Fee
2 MIN READ

Venice Doubles Tourist Day-Trip Fee for Non-Overnight Visitors

Trials Begin for Nearly 200
2 MIN READ

Trials Begin for Nearly 200 Critics of Turkish Regime Protests

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome
2 MIN READ

Iran Nuclear Talks in Rome Face Doubts and Threats

Vance Expresses Cautious Optimism on
2 MIN READ

Vance Expresses Cautious Optimism on Ukraine Peace Talks in Europe

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Receives Remains of Over 900 Fallen Soldiers

Veterans and Reservists Rally to
2 MIN READ

Veterans and Reservists Rally to End Gaza Conflict

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays
3 MIN READ

EU Expansion: Hungary's Block Delays Ukraine and Moldova Membership

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine
2 MIN READ

New Russian Attacks on Ukraine Leave 11 Dead, Over 100 Injured

China Refutes Claims of Supplying
1 MIN READ

China Refutes Claims of Supplying Weapons to Russia

Severe Weather in Italy Claims
2 MIN READ

Severe Weather in Italy Claims Three Lives, Triggers State of Emergency

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents
3 MIN READ

Israel's Blockade Leaves Gaza Residents Facing Severe Hunger Crisis

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave
1 MIN READ

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Leave 15 Dead, Including Family in Khan Yunis

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill
2 MIN READ

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill 74, Injure 171, Houthi Movement Reports

Trump Plans UK Visit to
1 MIN READ

Trump Plans UK Visit to Meet King Charles This Autumn

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder
1 MIN READ

Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Murder Charges in CEO's Death

Two Killed, Five Injured in
1 MIN READ

Two Killed, Five Injured in Florida State University Shooting

Red Cross Building in Gaza
1 MIN READ

Red Cross Building in Gaza Damaged by Explosion, ICRC Expresses Outrage

Ukraine Talks to Continue in
2 MIN READ

Ukraine Talks to Continue in London Next Week Following Paris Meeting

USA and Ukraine Set to
1 MIN READ

USA and Ukraine Set to Finalize Mineral Agreement Next Thursday

Myanmar Seeks Regional Aid After
1 MIN READ

Myanmar Seeks Regional Aid After Devastating Earthquake

Cable Car Accident in Italy
1 MIN READ

Cable Car Accident in Italy Claims Four Lives Near Naples

Trump Seeks to Narrow Species
1 MIN READ

Trump Seeks to Narrow Species Protection Law, Sparking Criticism

Zelensky Accuses China of Supplying
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Accuses China of Supplying Weapons to Russia

Aid Groups Warn of Imminent
1 MIN READ

Aid Groups Warn of Imminent Collapse in Gaza Due to Blockade

Russia Cautions Germany on Sending
1 MIN READ

Russia Cautions Germany on Sending Taurus Robots to Ukraine

Haiti's Security Crisis Worsens as
1 MIN READ

Haiti's Security Crisis Worsens as Violence Spreads, Warns HRW

Russia Removes Terrorist Label from
1 MIN READ

Russia Removes Terrorist Label from Taliban

Genre image
1 MIN READ

57 Civilians Killed in al-Fashir Clashes Between Army and Paramilitaries