The UK’s two largest political parties have established their key campaign questions for the upcoming general election. The Labour Party will ask voters if they are better off than they were four years ago. The Conservatives, who have been buoyed by declining inflation and hopes of an interest rate cut, will ask people if they are better off than a few months ago. Questions have been raised, however, about whether the public will feel any economic recovery, and whether this will translate into gratitude for the government.
In recent years, there have been a number of upheavals that have made it unlikely that voters will suddenly feel flush. Despite slowing inflation and an increase in pay packets, prices continue to rise overall. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has claimed that most people will still be worse off than they were in 2019, despite some tax cuts under the current administration. In addition, more families are now below the poverty line and feeling the pinch.
The Conservative government has struggled to inspire confidence in its ability to manage the economy. The Prime Minister’s indecision and lack of coherent vision have been criticised, and many Conservative backbenchers have been left feeling underwhelmed by Chancellor Rishi Sunak. Nonetheless, Sunak and his allies believe that the priority must be to demonstrate that the economy is on the mend, to build public confidence in the government’s ability to manage the country and to convince voters to stick with the Tories.
Neither party is particularly optimistic about the election, although Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, is eager to position his party as a “safe” choice for voters. This contrasts with Labour critics who feel the party lacks the verve to win the day. In contrast, some Conservatives believe that it’s not just the economy that will sway voters, but also “vibes” and general malaise. In their view, a mildly-improving economy needs to be part of a wider political vision. Ultimately, it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious from the upcoming election
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More