[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Not sure about that, but I know what you mean.

My party leader has chosen a front bench of professional back-stabbers; in other words, previous leadership contenders whom she is keen not to have them plotting here downfall. But plotting her downfall, they are; that's what our politicians are generally like.

Although she might not be there at the next election, (or even if she is still there), a front bench cleanout is required and new blood brought in from the back benches, carefully introduced as to there credentials and with sensible, achievable policies to offer.

I think this is too much to hope for.

There's also the question of what the Conservative Party actually stands for in 2025. Some of its previous strengths have been trashed.

• Efficiency through privatisation - this mantra worked well for it in the 1980s but some are now coming back to bite the Party (think Thames Water, British Steel, railways, nuclear power).
• Party of sound governance and finance - high budget deficit, poor Brexit deal, rapid turnover of PMs, PPE scandal and bankrupt Conservative councils like Slough and Woking have put paid to this reputation.
• Party of law and order - see Partygate, PPE scandal, BoJo keeping his mates like Chris Pincher and Owen Paterson in place despite their misdemeanours.
• Party for business - poor Brexit deal, advocating for Brexit against British business' wishes, Liz Truss' calamity stint and the general economy. (They were unlucky with the inflation resulting from Ukraine invasion)
• Party of low taxation - introduced highest tax burden since WW2. (Since higher under current government)