Part 1: Rishi Sunak’s Leadership and Challenges
1. Rishi Sunak’s Rise to Power
Background: Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister in October 2022, following Liz Truss’s brief
and turbulent tenure. His ascent was historic, marking the first British prime minister of
Indian heritage and one of the youngest in modern times. He brought a focus on fiscal
conservatism in response to the economic volatility resulting from Truss’s unfunded tax cuts.
Key Fact: Previously, Sunak served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Boris Johnson,
where he was recognized for his pandemic-era economic measures, including the furlough
scheme, which kept millions employed.
Sources:
o BBC: "Rishi Sunak becomes UK Prime Minister"
o The Guardian: "How Rishi Sunak rose to the top"
2. Economic Focus: Stability and Fiscal Responsibility
Economic Policies: Sunak’s main objective was economic stability—addressing inflation,
reducing national debt, and restoring investor confidence amid a cost-of-living crisis and high
public dissatisfaction with services.
Challenges: Inflation remained at a 40-year high, and the country struggled with economic
stagnation, a strained NHS, and public dissatisfaction. Sunak’s austerity measures were
criticized as inadequate, failing to address deep-rooted economic inequalities.
Sources:
o Reuters: "Rishi Sunak takes office amid economic crisis"
o BBC News: "Sunak faces tough choices as he inherits economic turmoil"
3. International Relations: Rwanda Asylum Policy and Brexit Complications
Rwanda Policy: In a controversial move, Sunak passed the asylum seeker deportation plan to
Rwanda, securing approval despite strong opposition in the House of Lords. Supporters saw
this as a deterrent against illegal immigration, while critics argued it was a violation of human
rights and international standards.
Brexit Aftermath: Navigating post-Brexit issues, Sunak’s administration faced challenges in
maintaining trade relationships and managing Northern Ireland’s status, aiming to balance EU
relations and UK sovereignty.
Sources:
o The Financial Times: "Rishi Sunak’s foreign policy balancing act"
o Le Monde: "Rishi Sunak fait plier la Chambre des Lords et obtient la mise en œuvre
de la loi sur l’expulsion des demandeurs d’asile au Rwanda"
4. Public Opinion and Resignation
Mixed Approval and Electoral Defeat: Sunak’s moderate, pragmatic approach led to mixed
public support and internal party tensions. In 2024, following an electoral defeat, he resigned
as Conservative Party leader, marking the end of his brief tenure. His leadership faced
criticism for a lack of solutions to the NHS crisis and economic inequality, contributing to his
resignation.
Sources:
o France Info: "Rishi Sunak announces resignation from Conservative leadership
following electoral defeat"
o The New York Times: "Rishi Sunak faces divided political landscape"
Part 2: The Conservative Party's Policies and Struggles
1. Conservative Party Ideology: Traditionalism vs. Reform
Core Beliefs: The Conservative Party traditionally supports free markets, low taxation, and a
strong national defense. Sunak’s leadership brought these values into tension with current
economic realities, creating ideological divides within the party.
Internal Dilemma: Sunak’s centrist, fiscally conservative approach contrasted sharply with the
hardline, populist faction of the Conservatives, notably those aligned with Boris Johnson. His
resignation, following the party's electoral defeat, led him to urge his fellow Conservatives to
"learn lessons" from the loss, exposing a dilemma: should the party re-embrace traditional
hardline policies or modernize to rebuild public trust?
Sources:
o The Guardian: "The Conservative Party’s ideological split under Sunak"
o Economic Times: "Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tells Conservatives to ‘learn
lessons’ from defeat as party gathers"
2. Social Issues and Domestic Policy
Public Services and Housing Crisis: The Conservative Party continued to face criticism over
public services, particularly NHS delays and an acute housing crisis. Despite increases in
police funding, Sunak’s government struggled to address the growing need for effective crime
prevention.
Sources:
o BBC News: "Conservative Party’s handling of the NHS and social care crisis"
o The Times: "Housing crisis deepens under Conservative government"
3. The “Levelling Up” Agenda: A Faltering Promise
Levelling Up: The “levelling up” agenda, originally championed by Boris Johnson, aimed to
reduce regional inequalities through infrastructure investments and local development. Many
of these initiatives stalled, drawing criticism for not delivering the promised improvements.
Sources:
o The Financial Times: "The faltering promise of the ‘levelling up’ agenda"
o The Guardian: "Why ‘levelling up’ has failed"
4. Preparing for the 2024 General Election
Election Landscape and Aftermath: Facing a Labour Party led by Keir Starmer, the
Conservatives struggled to regain public confidence amid the cost-of-living crisis and service
shortfalls. After the election defeat, the Conservative Party entered a period of reflection,
exploring its future leadership and ideological direction.
Sources:
o The Independent: "Conservatives face uphill battle in 2024 elections"
o BBC News: "The 2024 UK general election: What we know so far"
Conclusion and Summary
• Rishi Sunak’s leadership represented a period of pragmatic governance with controversial
policies like the Rwanda deportation plan. His resignation after the election defeat highlights
the difficulties he faced with both party divides and public dissatisfaction.
• The Conservative Party’s future now depends on addressing its internal ideological splits and
restoring public trust. Sunak’s call to "learn lessons" from the electoral loss underscores the
party’s choice: to return to traditional stances or to modernize in pursuit of broader support.
