What were the main reasons for the crushing defeat of the Conservatives in the by-election? Why is there a threat hanging over the chair of British PM Rishi Sunak?

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has suffered a lot because of public displeasure due to hiccups in the UK economy, rising inflation and rising unemployment. Although Rishi Sunak’s global popularity has increased since becoming the Prime Minister of Britain, the performance of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party in the three-seat by-elections in Britain was not as expected. In such a situation, the question has arisen whether the public is not liking Sunak’s policies? The question has also arisen whether the internal tussle of the Conservative Party will make this party out of power in the upcoming elections? Apart from this, the kind of serious allegations against all the leaders of the Conservative Party in the recent past have given the opposition an opportunity to attack the government. If seen, the Conservative Party did not appear united in the by-elections, while the opposition Labor Party contested the election as a whole and won two of the three by-elections and gained a psychological edge.

Let us tell you that the Conservative Party has managed to retain the Uxbridge and South Ruislip seats vacated by the resignation of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but has faced a crushing defeat in two other seats. The bypoll was being seen as a report card on Rishi Sunak’s performance in handling the economy and his chances of leading the party in the general elections slated for the second half of next year. Rishi Sunak himself was very serious about these elections, but now after the by-election results, his chair is under threat. Although it is unlikely that there will be a challenge to his leadership from within the party, but to capitalize on the growing resentment among the public, the opposition Labor Party will increase its efforts and campaign against Sunak’s government in Parliament and on the street.

As far as the by-election results are concerned, let us tell you that Conservative Party candidate Steve Tuckwell won Uxbridge and South Ruislip by a small margin. The seat fell vacant after Johnson resigned last month amid an investigation into holding parties at 10 Downing Street (the UK Prime Minister’s residence) during the lockdown implemented to prevent Kovid-19. In the by-elections held in Selby and Ainstey, the opposition Labor Party won by more than 20,000 votes. The by-election was necessitated due to the resignation of Nigel Adams, a close aide of Boris Johnson. The defeat of the Conservative Party in this seat is surprising because till some time ago it was considered its stronghold.

Following the by-election results, Labor Party leader Keir Starmer said: “This is a historic victory, which shows that people are looking to the Labor Party for leadership. They see the Labor Party as a changed party focused on meeting the aspirations of working people with a practical plan of action.” On the other hand, 25-year-old Keir Mather became the youngest member of the British Parliament with the Labor Party’s victory in Selby and Ainstey. Prior to that, this record was recorded in the name of Indian-origin Labor MP Nadia (26) from Nottingham East. As far as the second setback for the Conservative Party is concerned, let us tell you that it suffered a by-election in the Somerset and Frome seat, where the Liberal Democrat Party candidate Sarah Dyke won by more than 11,000 votes. While Dyke got a total of 21,187 votes, Conservative candidate Fay Burbrick had to settle for 10,179 votes. The by-election was necessitated by the resignation of the Conservative MP for Somerset and Frome, David Warburton. Warburton resigned from Parliament following allegations of drug abuse and sexual misconduct.

Also, it was recently reported that UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace has said that he will step down in the next cabinet reshuffle that is due in a few months, after four years in office. Ben Wallace (53), MP and Conservative Party member since 2005, has announced he will not stand for next year’s general election. This announcement of Wallace is important because he is considered a very experienced leader in the country’s politics. He has served as Defense Minister with three British Prime Ministers – Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

However, after the by-election results, it is believed that Sunak will soon reshuffle his cabinet. During this, he can leave many people and give chance to some new faces. Rishi Sunak’s effort is to reduce the displeasure of the public, so he is making every possible effort to handle the economy, but due to global and environmental challenges, difficulties have increased in front of him. Along with this, Conservative Party leaders and MPs are also increasing Sunak’s problems by being in controversies. Apart from this, people associated with government service are also protesting against the government on various issues. It has to be seen what steps Sunak takes to provide relief to the public in the coming days. It also has to be seen whether the threat to Sunak’s chair increases further in the coming days? Along with this, everyone’s eyes will also be on whether Rishi Sunak can create a new history by winning the Conservative Party again in the next elections?

-Neeraj Kumar Dubey