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Phil_Mead's avatar

“Unsurprisingly. The Conservatives have become the old people’s party. The opinion polls suggest that only among 65-year-olds and over can the Tories hope for a majority”

In light of Sunak’s D-Day debacle and the universal derision it has earned him, I’d love to get your thoughts how it might have impacted the Tory base as “the old people’s party.” And also get your thoughts on the underlying motivations of why he did what he did. Perhaps it needs its own Substack article!

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Philip Stephens's avatar

Yes, it will lose some of the votes the Conservatives are hanging on to...as to why? I think he lacks emotional intelligence and is completely uninterested in history and the world (unless its California)

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Fergal O'Shea's avatar

You make the very important point that the UK cannot reverse Brexit just like that. I'm afraid there is a lot of exceptionalist presumption that she can, which will be swiftly disabused by reality.

Which will prompt another chorus of "punishing us for Leaving"...

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William Miller's avatar

Succinctly put, erudite and factual but………..so depressing to wait for old Tory gammons, many of whom are decent but not well educated, to shake off this mortal coil! As for the parliamentary Tory party……..Badenoch / Jenrick / Cameron sum up the intellectual dearth of talent.

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John O’Hagan's avatar

The other comments have said it all, Philip. Great article yet again.

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Alain Catzeflis's avatar

Effortlessly elegant

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Ian's avatar

Absolutely first class from Philip. Lucid, succinct, and utterly lethal evisceration of these charlatans.

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Philip Stephens's avatar

Thank you!

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Eva Kaluzynska's avatar

This hits the nail on the head so hard it smashes the wood

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Philip Stephens's avatar

Much appreciated..

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Paul Hough's avatar

Great point about security Philip. The defence of the U.K. depends on NATO, specifically a European pillar of NATO, given that USA may be unwilling or unable to spend blood and treasure defending Europe. It looks like the EU drive the coalescence of a coherent European pillar. The U.K. is looking more and more like a junior partner when it comes to European defence. One of the ironies of leaving the European may become explaining to the British electorate that the security of the nation is now dependent on the EU. As you say the next Government will not be able to avoid the task of building a closer relationship with the EU.

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Philip Stephens's avatar

Thank you..absolutely right on security..

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John Maton's avatar

Excellent as always thank you

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