Lady Gaga captivated a full house of 23,000 attendees with her remarkable performance at the Manchester Co-op Live Arena this week. Meanwhile, in a nearby venue, devoid of vibrancy and life, a different lady who once stirred excitement many years ago left the sparse audience yearning for the past.
The presence of Lady Thatcher loomed over this year’s solemn Tory conference like a taunting specter. Displayed at the entrance were three glass cases containing her iconic power suits, a large mosaic portrait of her, and a dedicated Thatcher Theatre. Various stalls offered Thatcher-themed merchandise such as books, mugs, tea towels, and Christmas ornaments, while almost every speaker nostalgically referenced her past achievements.
The praise and admiration bordered on excessive, almost resembling a morbid obsession given Thatcher’s passing 12 years ago. The speeches delivered were lackluster, epitomized by Chris Philp’s failed attempts at humor that left the few spectators cringing. Notably, a misspelling of “Britain” as “Britian” on the complimentary chocolate bars underscored the lack of attention to detail.
Faced with alarming poll numbers placing them alongside the Liberal Democrats, shadow ministers hastily proposed a series of impractical and unfunded policies. These included controversial measures like targeting liberal judges, cutting foreign aid, restricting human rights, conducting deportation raids on immigrants, and drastically reducing public sector services.
Transitioning from staunch supporters of Boris Johnson to echoing the rhetoric of Donald Trump, the party’s shift in ideology raised questions among observers outside the conference hall. Critics wondered why these proposed solutions were not implemented during the party’s 14-year tenure in power, which left the country stagnant and public services in disarray.
Despite their rhetoric of “taking back the country,” the party’s history of alliances with the Liberal Democrats, Brexit turmoil, pandemic mismanagement, and economic setbacks under Liz Truss cast doubt on their credibility. The week’s most memorable statement came from Robert Jenrick, the emerging party leader favorite, who exploited a visit to Handsworth in Birmingham by highlighting the absence of white individuals.
As internal dissent grows, with members abandoning the party in droves, a sense of impending demise looms over the Tories. Their refusal to acknowledge past failures and insistence on clinging to the legacy of a divisive leader from decades ago signals a party in crisis, deserving of its uncertain future. The party’s diehard supporters are increasingly disillusioned, gravitating towards figures like Nigel Farage, signaling a shift in allegiance that could spell the end for the Tories.
In conclusion, a party that denies its recent missteps and remains fixated on outdated ideologies risks oblivion. The Tories’ floundering leadership, hubris, and deceitful tactics may ultimately consign them to irrelevance, reminiscent of Oscar Wilde’s poignant remark on the death of Little Nell – evoking tears of laughter rather than sorrow.