Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Tories need new leaders who can get voters excited again: Katie Lam

MPs, pollster and commentators debate future of the right and its priorities

Tories need new leaders who can get voters excited again: Katie Lam
Katie Lam

TORY MP Katie Lam said the Conservatives could look to Canada as a model for recovery, calling for rejuvenation and honest communication in the party’s revival strategy following its defeat in the July election.

The Tories suffered their worst-ever electoral loss in the general election, with only 121 MPs elected, while Labour secured 411 seats.


The anti-immigration Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, significantly exacerbated the damage by splitting the rightwing vote and attracting former Tory supporters in key constituencies

During a webinar last Wednesday (4), hosted by the Policy Exchange think tank on the “Future of the Right Project,” Lam, who represents the Weald of Kent, said, “There is no future for the right unless there are people on the right that others can be excited and feel good about.”

Rupert Lowe

Stressing the need for introspection, the MP called for focus on border security, migration, and public services.

Lam also noted a disconnect between grassroots Tory members, the parliamentary Conservative party, and the government. She remarked, “It was actually a lot harder to do some of the things that were promised than the party was honest about,” highlighting the need for clearer communication and realistic promises.

She suggested that the Tories could learn from Canadian Conservatives, referencing their resurgence from a “more disastrous trough” than the one the UK is currently facing. However, Lam cautioned that not all solutions would translate directly due to differing cultural contexts.

Lam acknowledged that the party’s economic and social factions do not always align. “We need to spend the next few years figuring out which of these is more important to the public and how to balance them,” she said.

Pollster James Kanagasooriam, chief research officer at Focaldata, discussed the increasingly fragmented political dynamics in the UK, focusing on migration, the economy, and the future of the right.

He challenged traditional perceptions of political alignment, saying, “Reform is not a party to the right of the consensus; in many ways, it is actually a party to the left of the consensus.”

On migration, Kanagasooriam addressed voters’ concerns, saying, “Race relations and immigration, for better or worse, are key issues.” However, he noted that many new right-wing parties hold positions that place them to the left of traditional liberal-democratic views on other ideological matters.

He said public opinion has shifted leftward on economic issues over the past decade but suggested this trend might reverse, as “politics is thermostatic,” often moving in opposition to the governing party’s direction.

James Kanagasooriam

Kanagasooriam stressed the urgent need for a clear growth strategy, adding, “Until there is an actual theory of growth and the capability of delivering that growth… politics will continue to be in flux.” He highlighted the UK’s economic decline, pointing out that while the country’s GDP per capita was on par with the US in 2007, it has since deteriorated to be “as poor as Mississippi.”

He emphasised that the right is currently torn between “conserving” and “changing” the nation, and this indecision lies at the heart of its struggles.

“The right has to decide whether it is an economic project or a social project,” he warned, adding that coherent leadership and a unified purpose are needed to achieve stability.

Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth and a member of Reform UK, strongly criticised the UK’s political system and proposed sweeping changes.

Lowe argued that both the Tory and Labour parties have failed to effectively govern Britain since 1997.

“Whether you’re blue or whether you’re red, it’s ironic that (Conservative prime minister) Boris Johnson won an 80-seat majority with our help and then did very little with it,” Lowe said. He claimed the civil service had become “unaccountable and inefficient.”

“The state is crowding out the private sector and inhibiting growth,” he added, citing projects like the Post Office and HS2 as examples of state failure.

Lowe also criticised the handling of immigration and public sector spending. “Immigration is out of control, and both governments have failed to address it,” he said. He warned that the state’s extensive reach and rising public spending were causing significant economic issues.

Lowe described Reform UK as a force for change, saying, “We are disruptors reflecting what the majority of people want. Our contract with the people is not just a manifesto; it is a serious commitment to delivering results.”

Charles Moore, senior fellow at Policy Exchange and the authorised biographer of Margaret Thatcher, focused on leadership, drawing insightful parallels between Thatcher’s era and the current state of conservatism, and offering a deeper analysis of its evolution over time.

Charles Moore

Moore said Thatcher’s leadership was defined by her strong ability to lead decisively, winning three elections while executing much of her intended policy agenda, regardless of public opinion.

Thatcher’s rise was a response to the Tory party’s poor performance, which spurred a desire for change within the party, he explained. This ultimately led to the unprecedented decision of choosing a female leader.

Thatcher had to navigate challenges, such as a potential election at any moment, due to a slim Labour majority. This scenario differs from today, Moore argued, as the Tories do not face immediate electoral threats, giving them more room for ideological restructuring.

Moore noted that Thatcher’s leadership was characterised by strong beliefs and an ability to incorporate ideas from a broad spectrum, not just within her party. He argued that modern Tories must similarly rethink their foundational principles and be unafraid to challenge prevailing ideologies, such as the concept of equality, to regain a clear and distinct political vision.

The webinar was chaired by Paul Goodman, senior fellow at Policy Exchange and former long-serving editor of Conservative Home.

More For You

Aamir Khan’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ Audition Goes Viral – But He Lost the Role!

Dressed as a cop and chewing paan, Aamir Khan delivers his lines in the viral audition clip from Laapataa Ladies

Youtube Screengrab/Aamir Khan Talkies

Aamir Khan auditioned for ‘Laapataa Ladies’ but lost the role: Video goes viral!

Aamir Khan’s attempt to play a small-town cop in Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies has sparked conversation among fans, thanks to a newly surfaced audition tape. The Bollywood star, who also produced the film, had initially hoped to take on the role of Sub-Inspector Shyam Manohar. However, director Kiran Rao ultimately chose Ravi Kishan for the part, a decision that many now agree was the right call.

The audition tape, shared on Aamir’s recently launched YouTube channel, Aamir Khan Talkies, shows the actor in a police uniform, chewing paan and trying out a rural accent. The video also includes bloopers, giving fans a insider view in to his efforts to embody the character. While Aamir is known for his dedication to roles, viewers were quick to point out that something felt off. Many felt his polished screen presence made him seem out of place as the rustic and rough-around-the-edges cop.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK-business-district-Getty
The Canary Wharf business district including global financial institutions in London. (Photo: Getty Images)

Economic growth in 2024 slightly higher than estimated: ONS

THE UK economy grew slightly more than first estimated in 2024, according to official data released on Friday, providing a small boost for the government after it revised down its growth forecast for 2025.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product expanded by 1.1 per cent in 2024, up from an initial estimate of 0.9 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hrithik Roshan to Helm ‘Krrish 4’ – A New Era for Bollywood’s Superhero

Hrithik Roshan gears up for his directorial debut with ‘Krrish 4,’ bringing fresh vision to India’s biggest superhero franchise

Getty Images

Hrithik Roshan to direct ‘Krrish 4’: Bollywood’s biggest superhero franchise gets a sequel

Hrithik Roshan is stepping into new territory by making his directorial debut with 'Krrish 4,' the next chapter in India's biggest superhero franchise. Known for his powerful performances, the actor will now take on the dual role of leading man and director for the much-anticipated sequel. The film will be co-produced by Yash Raj Films, led by Aditya Chopra, alongside Rakesh Roshan’s FilmKraft Productions.

The 'Krrish' series began in 2003 with 'Koi… Mil Gaya,' introducing audiences to the sci-fi story. The franchise took a superhero turn with 'Krrish' in 2006 and 'Krrish 3' in 2013, solidifying its place as India's premier superhero saga. Each instalment has brought together action, emotion, and visual spectacle, making the franchise a massive box-office success.

Keep ReadingShow less
King Charles Enjoys Bollywood Melody at Commonwealth Day Event

A cross-cultural moment that captured widespread attention

Getty

King Charles welcomed with Bollywood tune at Commonwealth Day ceremony

During the Commonwealth Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were greeted with an unexpected and memorable musical performance. The Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band played the iconic Bollywood song “Dhoom Machale,” creating a cross-cultural moment that captured widespread attention.

This unique performance combined traditional Scottish bagpipes with the Bollywood tune, surprising many of those in attendance and on social media. The Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band, which was established in the early 1950s, is known for blending Scottish musical traditions with elements of Hindu culture. With branches in the UK, India, the USA, and Kenya, the band has performed at numerous high-profile events over the years. Among their previous notable appearances is a performance for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at Madison Square Garden.

Keep ReadingShow less
Patient’s kindness averts terror attack as hospital worker jailed for 37 years

St James’s Hospital in Leeds

Wikipedia

Patient’s kindness averts terror attack as hospital worker jailed for 37 years

A FORMER hospital worker was jailed for 37 years last Friday (21) after a patient talked him out of detonating a homemade pressure cooker bomb in a maternity ward.

Prosecutors said Mohammad Farooq was a “self-radicalised lone wolf terrorist” inspired by Daesh (the Islamic State group).

Keep ReadingShow less