Rishi Sunak used his speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester to brand himself as a politician of change — but just 13% of Brits agree.
The Prime Minister made reference to ‘change’ 30 times in his speech, despite 13 years of Conservative Party governance.
Yet polling carried out by YouGov has revealed the majority of Brits do not agree with Sunak’s self-portrayal as a candidate for change in British politics.
The research and data group polled 3,287 adults on their opinions of this claim. More than two thirds of Brits stated they do not believe Sunak to be a new turn politically.
Just 13% agreed with the Prime Minister’s assertion, while 18% said they ‘don’t know’.
Rishi Sunak has been trying to position himself as the candidate of change – but 69% of Britons say he represents more of the same
— YouGov (@YouGov) October 4, 2023
Represents change: 13%
Represents more of the same: 69%https://t.co/OzoX3inVIl pic.twitter.com/9hGZvnpSnI
The speech did make some significant departures on policy from previous Conservative ministries, however.
For instance, three of Sunak’s predecessors have lamented the cancellation of HS2. David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson have all criticised the retraction of the project.
Cameron took to X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: “Today’s decision on HS2 is the wrong one.
“It will help to fuel the views of those who argue that we can no longer think or act for the long-term as a country; that we are heading in the wrong direction.”
He continued: “(It) will make it much harder to build consensus for any future long-term projects.
“In years to come I suspect many will look back at today’s announcement and wonder how this once-in-a-generation opportunity was lost.”
Today’s decision on HS2 is the wrong one. It will help to fuel the views of those who argue that we can no longer think or act for the long-term as a country; that we are heading in the wrong direction.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) October 4, 2023
HS2 was about investing for the long-term, bringing the country together,…
Boris Johnson quote tweeted this statement, writing simply: “I agree.”
This revocation of a flagship policy endorsed by former leaders is significant in the Prime Minister’s rebrand as a politician of change.
Indeed, apart from HS2, an incremental ban on smoking was introduced formally for the first time by Sunak, meaning a 14-year-old today will never legally be able to buy tobacco.
Here’s how we’ll create a smoke-free generation 👇 pic.twitter.com/cnPInf12Cv
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 5, 2023
A further policy proposal was the replacement of A-levels and T-levels with a new qualification for all school leavers.
The new system will see English and maths lessons until the age of 18, bringing England more in line with international standards.
The Advanced British Standard will combine both academic and vocational subjects, which the PM says will create more breadth in post-GCSE education.
All these plans represent a departure from the policies set out in the 2019 Conservative Party manifesto.
The new policies, and the notion of change more generally, may have come as a result of poor approval ratings prior to the speech.
YouGov polling shows the Prime Minister to have a net -17 rating on being competent and a net -29 on being trustworthy.
Indeed, Sunak has a net -39 on ‘doing well as Prime Minister’, net -24 on decisiveness and net -16 on likeability.
Ahead of his speech to Tory conference today, here's how the British public rate Rishi Sunak
— YouGov (@YouGov) October 4, 2023
Doing well as PM: -39 net
Competent: -17
Likeable: -16
Decisive: -24
Trustworthy: -29
Strong: -37https://t.co/cQVO73NC4R
These negative personal approval ratings could have been the political rationale for the Prime Minister’s focus on change in his keynote speech in Manchester.
Featured image by Marcin Nowak
