Boris Must Deliver Sound Management To Keep Us On Track

AS the Conservatives meet in Manchester for their annual conference, there is a dramatic tension between their apparent political ascendancy and the darkening problems faced by their Government.

- Leo McKinstry

Due to the Covid pandemic, this is the first such gathering since the Tories’ sweeping victory in the 2019 General Election, and almost two years later, they remain far ahead in the opinion polls. Among their achievements, they can point to the delivery of Brexit, the resilience of the economy, the world-beating success of the vaccine programme, and the lengthening catalogue of independent trade deals.

Unorthodox but charismatic, Boris Johnson continues to confound his critics with his domination of the political landscape, reflected in his smooth Cabinet reshuffle and his bold decision to boost healthcare with a hike in national insurance. In contrast, Labour is still a discordant rabble, weakly led by Sir Keir Starmer, corroded by divisions, and obsessed with the woke agenda.

YET, for all the superficial strength of the Tories’ lead over Labour, the mood in Manchester is troubled and apprehensive. “We’re in decline. It happens gradually, then suddenly,” says one anxious MP. The conference takes place against the backdrop of chronic petrol shortages across the country, particularly the south-east, but this is just one element of a growing tidal wave of troubles for the embattled Government.