Many political leaders who have ambitions to become prime minister of this country, or any country for that matter must want to make a mark, and leave an indelible one, otherwise what is the point. You should want to do your country proud.

So many big questions…

There are many questions that Conservative voters must ask themselves after their leader of the last three years; Boris Johnson was shown the door. They were aware of the many news stories that had surrounded him, he was that man that would get Brexit done, and push this country into a stronger economic position in the world, making us free to do trade deals with any country.

The previous incumbent Theresa May was not quite living up to the job for many within the Conservative party after experiencing extreme difficulty whilst handling Brexit affairs, and as a result was dispatched and replaced by Johnson. Now a backbencher she was spotted merrily demonstrating her well-rehearsed dance moves at a festival. Was she celebrating something at the Craig David gig shortly after Boris gave his resignation speech outside Number 10 on the 7th July 22? I’ll let you be the judge of that if you have seen the footage.

Is the tide turning in politics?

It would be interesting based on the by-election results in Wakefield and Tiverton to see how the country would vote in a general election. Partygate, Pinchergate, and other reports of misdemeanours appeared to have aggrieved many in the party faithful, who after backing Boris for so long, could not support him any longer and the dominoes began to fall.

But now, here is the interesting play in politics. The main news media focused on the battle for the hot seat, which was whittled down from five potentials, Sunak, Mourdant, Truss, Badenoch and Tugendhat, to a match between Sunak and Truss. The outcome was decided by the 200,000 conservative members only. However it is as almost as if the country had to decide due to the intense coverage provided by the media.

The media furore around the potential hopefuls had, in my opinion, the causal effect of garnering public support from the country towards the Conservative Party, as they looked on from a distance.

Time for a clear focus

An immediate general election may not have been the ideal solution for Sir Keir Starmer at the time, who had been signalling for a vote of no confidence against the government, as he may be better placed concentrating on his own image and ability to be elected PM when and if the time comes. Solid ideas, plans for the country during critical economic times, and building a saleable manifesto are required from him.

The diehard Conservative voters who were starting to muse about their position and loyalty were ready to jump back on the ship and toe the line, even though the line is knotted. Well, there would be a new leader and this can only be a good thing.

There was a feeling of a general election, with hustings, speeches, messages and interviews, placing the opposition leader in a slightly weaker position in my view at that time. The scrutiny and interrogation on those in the race to become PM could see a stronger, refreshed and ready to go Conservative Party attempting to deliver on their mandate with fresh legs, carefully prepared speeches, and a decent haircut or hairdo.

Roll on and with Liz Truss elected and sworn in on the 6th September 2022. Britain was ready and eager to move forward with fresh faces and policies that would lift spirits and provide hope to a country that had started to experience declining living standards with inflation and interest rates on the up. Up stepped the new chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng to deliver a mini-budget designed to put a spark into the economy – it certainly did, with a number of volte-faces and backpedalling we witnessed the shortest term of a serving UK prime minister. She served only 45 days.

Now it is the turn of Rishi Sunak, appointed on 25th October 2022. Crucial it is now for Sunak to make his mark, he set out his new cabinet immediately, which included some controversial picks for top roles.

Rishi Sunak is not as bombastic or belligerent as Boris Johnson, but will need to set his tone somehow with strong policies on improving the economy, handling immigration, foreign affairs, dealing with the ever increasing strike action, and lots more if he is to win the next election. Keir Starmer must be thinking that this should be a walkover, but no Keir, it definitely is not. You have got lots of work to do.

As for the electorate, thoughts will be around questions like ‘what has the current Government achieved in the last twelve years?’ – The country is getting poorer, more divided. Bigotry, racism and misogyny have exploded on social media – why? This and many more questions will be raised before we go to the polls again. Therefore, I will return to cover political matters again during 2023.