As former Health Secretary Sajid Javid said in his resignation speech, “a team is only as good as a team captain” who is “willing to serve the interests of others before his own.”
The survival of the party, he rightly pointed out, depends not only on regaining the confidence of the people, but also on reaffirming “the conservative ideal that we believe in the decency, personal responsibility and social justice that the conventions and the rule of law “.
Now that “Big Dog” seems to have passed its day, can faith be returned to the faithful of the party? Even Nigel Farage seems to think so, arguing that Mr. Johnson’s departure provides a good time for a “proper recovery.”
For the party to have a chance of fighting to win the next general election, there is no doubt that it must rediscover the small state, the low-tax Toryism that has seen it win more elections than any of its rivals since 1830.
Much of the criticism directed at Mr. Johnson in recent months has been both about his lack of delivery and his lack of judgment. Not only has his character and competence been questioned, but his conservatism.
The prime minister was elected 31 months ago with a simple set of manifesto promises. Highlighted in bold, the ambition was: “Achieving Brexit. Investing in our public services and infrastructure. Supporting workers and families. Strengthening the Union. Unleashing Britain’s potential.”
While he cannot be held responsible for the pandemic or the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there is a palpable feeling that Mr. Johnson has failed to produce the goods on what Margaret Thatcher described as “facts of life.” conservative.
Big on promises but short on execution, the prime minister has left Brexit supporters wondering when exactly he would pull the levers to turn the UK into the “global leader in free trade” he promised.
Businesses large and small have been left wondering what happened to the vote to make the UK the most competitive country in Europe.
Voters have been left wondering what happened to the oath to finally resolve the Canal migrant crisis.