It is widely observed that many Conservatives are preparing to lose power at the next general election. The Conservative Democratic Organisation and National Conservatism meetings last week are generally regarded as preparation for the leadership battle that would likely follow Rishi Sunak’s departure from No. 10. Most (though not all) Tories appear to assume that Sunak could not remain leader after that exit, nor want to.
Privately too, even the most optimistic Tories will concede that leaving government after 14 years – they’ve just beaten the New Labour tenure – has to be considered a real possibility.
What would the Conservatives do in opposition? This is not a trivial question. Conventional wisdom at Westminster says that if Keir Starmer is PM, he will not be a powerful one: he may lack a significant working majority and is a bit short on the personal charisma that can allow a leader to drive through an agenda.
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