British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday he was “proud” of his first year in Number 10 Downing Street, but half of voters interviewed in a YouGov survey consider him a “bad” or ” terrible” head of government. With just over a year to go until the elections (which must take place no later than January 25, 2025) and with 22 points behind Labor in the polls, this is not good news for the Prime Minister and the Conservatives.
“I know this year has been difficult and there is still work to be done to help families and workers across the country, but I am proud of the steps we have takenSunak said in a message to mark the anniversary. The Prime Minister addressed the cost of living problem, said he is on track to halve inflation and recalled the government’s various support programs for those most be in need.
In the column he is proud of, Sunak also highlighted the agreement signed with the European Union to replace the Northern Ireland Protocol, inherited from Brexit, and the numerous international partnerships, such as the new phase of the AUKUS agreement (with the US and Australia). In addition, he reiterated Britain’s role in supporting Ukraine, and as the anniversary approaches, the world is now focusing on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Sunak also highlighted plans for the National Health Service, although the promise to cut waiting lists is far from being delivered and to tackle illegal immigration, in a record year for arrivals across the English Channel. He also mentioned plans for education, starting with increasing the number of places in daycare centers, and the new “fairer path” to zero neutrality. Critics accuse him of backtracking on climate protection promises.
Finally, Sunak has failed to regain voter confidence over the past year and the Tories are viewing the electoral challenge with concern. The latest YouGov poll, for the dailyThe Teamsgives the Conservatives 25% of voting intentions, 22 points less than Keir Starmer’s Labor, which has 47% (and is on a winning streak at the by-election).
A more favorable situation than that which Sunak found when he arrived in Downing Street. The difference at the time was 37 points (56% versus 19%). But this is no cause for satisfaction for the Prime Minister, who is considered “bad” or “terrible” in his role by 50% of respondents in the latest YouGov survey. Only 11% say it is “good” or “excellent”, while a third say it is “average”.
When Sunak first ran for the Conservative leadership in July 2022, the challenge was regaining the trust of a country shaken by the scandals of Boris Johnson and the Covid-19 parties. But he lost to Liz Truss in September. When she resigned 49 days later after her budget crashed the economy, Sunak was given another chance. But this time he inherited a country where the pound was falling and markets feared the future.
A year later, the recession has been avoided, but expected growth will not exceed 0.5%. One of the Prime Minister’s promises, with a view to 2024, was to halve inflation this year. In October last year this was around 11%, while last month it was 6.7%. Forecasts suggest this will be 5% by the end of the year, rather than the predicted 4%.
Source: DN
