The Conservative Party leadership election is taking place in a difficult context, with Boris Johnson’s successor or successor facing two huge challenges: reviving the country and restoring confidence in the government.
The rising cost of living in the UK will be at the top of the next government’s agenda, but Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak – the two finalists in the Conservative leadership race – will face more adversity over issues of energy, social instability and relations with the European Union (EU).
The announcement of the winner of the race to succeed Boris Johnson in the Conservative Party leadership, and the next prime minister, will be announced Monday at 12:30 p.m.
The election, which was held by letter among some 180,000 party members, closed at 5 p.m. on Friday.
Johnson’s successor, and 15th head of government during Elizabeth II’s reign, will be received in Scotland on Tuesday by the monarch, who must then nominate the new prime minister (or prime minister) to form a new government. the party with a parliamentary majority.
Key issues to be addressed by the next UK Prime Minister:
ECONOMY
Inflation reached 10.1% in July, its highest point in 40 years. The Bank of England predicts it will reach 13% by October and economists at Goldman Sachs expect it to reach 22% by 2023. Economic growth has been revised downwards and the central bank predicts a “long recession”, with a contraction of 1.5% in 2023 and 0.25% in 2024.
The government is under pressure to tighten support measures for Britons, especially those on lower incomes.
Inflation reflects the increase in food and transport spending, the latter due to fuel prices, but the cost of household energy is one of the most worrying factors, especially as winter approaches.
The measures will have to be extended to companies whose increased energy costs, which are not covered by the cap, endanger the survival of small and medium-sized enterprises and threaten jobs.
ENERGY
The United Kingdom is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and is committed to expanding nuclear, wind, solar and hydrogen power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the ongoing war in Ukraine, unleashed by Russia last February, has made energy security one of the country’s top priorities.
The increase in natural gas prices on international markets will maximize the exploitation of fossil fuels, especially in the North Sea. However, there is a risk of shortages in the winter due to supply disruptions from Russia. Specialists warn of the need to reduce consumption and prepare the country for power failures.
SOCIAL INSTABILITY
Not since the 1970s has the UK seen so many strikes. The return of double-digit inflation has already led to strikes in transportation, post offices, lawyers, garbage disposals and ports, and more announced in communications, schools and other public services. Workers demand wage increases so as not to lose their purchasing power.
The situation deserves comparison with the so-called “Winter of Discontent” of 1978-1979, when corpses were unburied and rubbish piled in the streets for weeks.
The crisis toppled the Labor Party government and led to the election of conservative Margaret Thatcher. Some union leaders have raised the possibility of nationally coordinated strikes that could paralyze the country.
BREXIT
Almost two years after ‘Brexit’, the benefits of leaving the European Union (EU) are scarce. The new immigration rules have exacerbated labor shortages in several sectors, including health care, and there are signs of a trade disruption.
The deadlock over Northern Ireland’s trade status and the UK’s access to the European Horizon Europe science funding program remains unresolved.
The two candidates have pledged to scrap inherited EU laws and regulations and move forward with a plan to suspend the ‘Brexit’ deal in the British province. But critics fear that Brussels will respond with a “trade war” by imposing tariffs on British goods, and that the tension between the two allies will jeopardize the unity needed to counter Russia’s war in Ukraine.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Since early 2022, 22,670 migrants have completed the Channel crossing, almost double the number recorded at the same time last year. A UK parliamentary report estimates that 60,000 people will arrive in the UK via this route this year. The British Conservative government has not been able to reduce this number, despite financial support to France to strengthen coastal surveillance and the reception of migrants.
London has signed a controversial agreement with Rwanda to send asylum seekers who come illegally to the East African country. A first deportation flight was once scheduled for June but was canceled due to a decision by the European Court of Human Rights.
Source: DN
