The Changing Face of the Conservative Party

There are five pivotal words that encapsulate the core challenge facing the Conservative Party: diminishing returns of reinvention. This autumn, Rishi Sunak has taken a new direction, departing from his previous persona as Mr. Steady As He Goes. The man who initially came to steady the ship after the tumultuous eras of Liz Truss and Boris Johnson is now presenting himself as Mr. Change. He’s now positioning himself as the man eager to make things happen and is unafraid to highlight the perceived failures of previous governments, even those he was a part of.

Last night, I had an encounter with a cabinet minister in an elevator. They expressed their approval of this change, remarking that it’s both bold and uplifting. The minister added, “Will it work? Who knows?” In essence, they acknowledged that it’s a worthwhile experiment, but when you are the fifth prime minister within a 13-year span in office, the specter of diminishing returns is always looming.

However, it’s worth noting the contrast with the situation a year ago. Another senior minister pointed out that it was just 12 months ago when they played a pivotal role in ousting Liz Truss during the party’s gathering in Birmingham in October 2023. Last year’s party conference resembled a firework display with all the fireworks and rockets lighting up simultaneously. This year, it’s somewhat more traditional political fireworks – though not entirely.

The paramount issue that will take center stage on Monday is the economy. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is scheduled to deliver his speech. Ministers refer to revised data from the Office for National Statistics, which suggests that the economy has grown faster since the start of the pandemic than initially thought. However, they also acknowledge that it’s not just the numbers on a spreadsheet but also how the economy feels that truly matters. Many people have been facing challenges for an extended period, and any sense of improvement holds significance, both in daily life and in influencing when the prime minister might contemplate calling a general election.

There’s an added twist, at least to some extent, to the return of the conventional. Liz Truss is set to make an appearance later. It’s quite a spectacle, as the person who held the prime minister’s office a year ago arrives to assert that the current prime minister is making grave mistakes. Truss will advocate for reinvigorating the economy by reducing business taxes, pursuing fracking, and accelerating house construction. Mr. Hunt, however, is dismissive of her proposals.

In the past, long before becoming prime minister, Boris Johnson used to perform his “Prince over the Water” act at party conferences, delighting activists with a glimpse of what his leadership might entail. Now, it’s Liz Truss – who, it’s worth noting, was more popular than Rishi Sunak among Conservative Party members – who appears as the (former) “Queen over the Water,” along with allies like Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Dame Priti Patel. How she is received and by how many will be a captivating development.

In summary, the Conservative Party is undergoing a transformation, with Rishi Sunak assuming a new persona as Mr. Change, and the economy taking center stage in the upcoming party conference. The return of Liz Truss adds an intriguing twist to the political landscape, making this year’s conference one to watch closely.