UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's stance dealt a blow as he grapples to quell conservative insurgency on multiple policy fronts
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suffered a blow to his authority as he struggled to quell conservative rebellions on several policy fronts, and his disillusioned members of parliament threatened to flee Westminster ahead of the next election.
Promising "stability and unity" just four weeks after entering Number 10 Downing Street, Sunak's administration has been forced to retain key Tory personnel on its policy program and Britain's dire economic outlook, amid dire opinion polls and a string The potential of both is in danger of faltering. Ministerial scams.
On Tuesday evening, Sunak was forced to pull a vote on major housing plans due next week after some 47 Tory backbenchers signed an amendment that threatened to defeat the government.
Planning and housing have long been a point of friction in the party, with rebel MPs concerned about the backlash from local communities in their traditionally leafy, rural areas.
Sunak's decision to flee the vote rather than confront the rebels -- despite housing being a key Conservative manifesto commitment -- suggests that Downing Street is unable to pass key elements of its policy agenda, even That too with a working majority of 67.
Tory MP Theresa Villiers, a prominent rebel, told Bloomberg the climb was a "significant victory" for rank-and-file Tories.
Former Tory special adviser, Salma Shah, warned: “Planning reform for the Conservative Party is a perennial problem, as Rishi Sunak is discovering. He must have an offer of housing for young people to win the next election, but with rebel MPs worried about their seats, he will find it practically impossible to compromise."
Housing is the second significant policy outburst within the government this week. Conservative Brexiteers threatened another rebellion when the Sunday Times reported that Sunak was considering a so-called "Swiss-style" trade arrangement with the EU.
Sunak denied the reports, but senior government figures confirmed that Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt had spoken privately about his hope for closer ties with Brussels. Sunak's rejection of that approach was seen as a slap in the face of his chancellor, in the first sign of tensions at the top of government. The reopening of Brexit talks is dangerous for a party that has been plagued by divisions in Europe for decades.
punish voters
Sunak and Hunt are also coming under Tory criticism over last week's Autumn Statement, with some MPs unhappy about tax increases. Former cabinet minister Esther McVey wrote on the ConservativeHome website on Tuesday that the government's economic plans were "punishing voters", suggesting she might vote against them.
Sunak inherits a Tory party that is some 20 points behind the Labor opposition in the polls following the interpolation of the Boris Johnson and Liz Truss premierships. Their bleak electoral prospects have again come into focus after two young Tory MPs announced they would quit parliament at the next election.
"It was the right time for me and my young family to retreat," said Chloe Smith, a 40-year-old former cabinet minister in the truce government. William Wragg, 34, also said he would not stand again. Bloomberg reported over the weekend that many Tory MPs are resigned to their fate and are already planning their next career moves.
Sunak also faces potential trouble points over two senior members of his cabinet who have been embroiled in rows about their conduct.
Downing Street could appoint an independent person as soon as Wednesday to investigate formal complaints of bullying made against Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab. The Guardian reported that several formal complaints have now been lodged by civil servants about his behaviour. Raab denies the allegations of bullying.
Another cabinet minister, Gavin Williamson, had previously resigned from Sunak's government over bullying claims, which he also denied. Meanwhile, Home Secretary Suella Braverman is facing a possible judicial review over her handling of illegal immigration.
The coming winter was further exacerbated by the RMT union announcing a series of rail strike dates around the Christmas period. Tory MPs are worried the country could be hit by a wave of industrial action after National Health Service nurses also voted for their biggest strike in a century over pay.
Addressing a meeting of his cabinet on Tuesday morning, Sunak warned the country faced a "challenging period" in the coming months, according to a readout provided by Downing Street. Health Secretary Steve Barclay revealed the extent of the NHS backlog with 400,000 people. Waiting more than 52 weeks for an operation, compared to 1,600 pre-pandemic.
No comments:
Post a Comment