"The hangover from the last election was always going to be nasty after a proper thumping, 14 years in power, and, oh yes, those five prime ministers. But the party's standing has fallen even further since then. No discernible bounce with its new leadership under Kemi Badenoch. No profit from the misery of the government. For the group once regarded as the most successful political operation in the western world, it's dire."
"Technically, the Tories are still the main opposition. That brings status and meaning. It's Badenoch who gets to ask six questions of the prime minister every week . It's the Conservatives who, as is traditional, are most often called on to respond to government announcements. They still have way more MPs than the Liberal Democrats, or the SNP, and legions more than Reform or the Greens. But politically, it just doesn't feel at this moment that they are the government's hungry main challengers."
The Conservative Party remains deeply unpopular following a heavy election defeat and successive leadership changes. The party has suffered further decline despite new leadership under Kemi Badenoch, and has not benefited politically from the government's difficulties. Dozens of MPs and former MPs have defected to Reform UK, eroding unity and morale. The Conservatives retain formal status as main opposition and more MPs than rival parties, but their political impact and perceived hunger to challenge the government are weak. The party once seen as highly effective now appears diminished and struggling to regain momentum.
Read at www.bbc.com
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