Is desperation driving the Tories towards a big policy mistake at the hands of political opportunists?
Tory Teesside Mayor Ben Houchen has suggested that his party should ally with Reform UK in order to oust Labour at the next general election. But is he the wrong man saying the wrong thing?
Houchen’s comments are emblematic of the growing desperation within a Tory Party that is in turmoil as its members panic in the face of another possible electoral defeat
With Labour now in power, the Tories are scrambling to maintain relevance, and Houchen’s suggestion of a pact with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is a sign that the Tories may tie themselves in knots to regain high office.
(Hmm… That reminds me of the way Labour devoted all its efforts to gaining power – and then didn’t know what to do with it.)
Help fund great articles! We’re aiming for £50 to cover research and reporting time this week.
Can you chip in £2 today?
👉 https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
Houchen undoubtedly hopes his idea will seem a pragmatic response to the Tories’ current political troubles, but if it proves not to be the right strategy, it could backfire on both the Conservatives and the country as a whole.
Kemi Badenoch, the current party leader, has already ruled out any national coalition with Reform UK, stating that such an alliance would be incompatible with the party’s principles – so it seems there is division within the Conservative Party.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
And it isn’t only evident in Parliament. Right-wing voters may find it appealing, but those on the centre-right—or even those simply seeking stability—could view it as a step too far.
The risk of losing support from moderate Conservatives is real, and the potential for further division within the party could prove devastating.
And then there’s the question of integrity: Houchen’s involvement in the Teesside Freeport scandal only adds another layer of complexity to his push for a coalition, because it raises uncomfortable questions about his motives.
Does he truly want to protect the country from a bad government, or is he simply trying to secure his own political future by any means necessary?
For a party already plagued by accusations of cronyism and scandal, this could be the final straw – a sign that the Tories are willing to sacrifice their integrity to retain power.
If the public starts seeing the Tories as a gang that will ally with anyone to stay in government, the consequences could be disastrous.
Get my free guide: “10 Political Lies You Were Sold This Decade” — just subscribe to our email list here:
👉 https://voxpoliticalonline.com
And let’s look at it from the other side. Suppose a coalition came to pass. Reform UK, despite its recent surge in popularity, remains an untested political force.
An alliance with the Tories could taint their outsider image, making them appear more like one of the Establishment parties they have long railed against.
This could alienate Reform’s core supporters, who are attracted to the party precisely because it is seen as a disruptive force.
Help fund great articles! We’re aiming for £50 to cover research and reporting time this week.
Can you chip in £2 today?
👉 https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
Maybe Houchen is just the wrong man, saying the wrong thing. His suggestion signals a fundamental misunderstanding of what the Conservative Party needs to do in order to recover.
If the Tories continue down this path, they risk making what could be a massive policy mistake that could undermine their ability to govern and destroy any hope of future unity.
So will the Tories heed the warnings of their own party leadership and avoid the temptation to make a deal with the devil, or will they embrace desperation at the cost of their political integrity?
The answer could well determine the long-term future of what was formerly the most successful political organisation in the UK.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
Is desperation driving the Tories towards a big policy mistake?
Is desperation driving the Tories towards a big policy mistake at the hands of political opportunists?
Tory Teesside Mayor Ben Houchen has suggested that his party should ally with Reform UK in order to oust Labour at the next general election. But is he the wrong man saying the wrong thing?
Houchen’s comments are emblematic of the growing desperation within a Tory Party that is in turmoil as its members panic in the face of another possible electoral defeat
With Labour now in power, the Tories are scrambling to maintain relevance, and Houchen’s suggestion of a pact with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is a sign that the Tories may tie themselves in knots to regain high office.
(Hmm… That reminds me of the way Labour devoted all its efforts to gaining power – and then didn’t know what to do with it.)
Help fund great articles! We’re aiming for £50 to cover research and reporting time this week.
Can you chip in £2 today?
👉 https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
Houchen undoubtedly hopes his idea will seem a pragmatic response to the Tories’ current political troubles, but if it proves not to be the right strategy, it could backfire on both the Conservatives and the country as a whole.
Kemi Badenoch, the current party leader, has already ruled out any national coalition with Reform UK, stating that such an alliance would be incompatible with the party’s principles – so it seems there is division within the Conservative Party.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
And it isn’t only evident in Parliament. Right-wing voters may find it appealing, but those on the centre-right—or even those simply seeking stability—could view it as a step too far.
The risk of losing support from moderate Conservatives is real, and the potential for further division within the party could prove devastating.
And then there’s the question of integrity: Houchen’s involvement in the Teesside Freeport scandal only adds another layer of complexity to his push for a coalition, because it raises uncomfortable questions about his motives.
Does he truly want to protect the country from a bad government, or is he simply trying to secure his own political future by any means necessary?
For a party already plagued by accusations of cronyism and scandal, this could be the final straw – a sign that the Tories are willing to sacrifice their integrity to retain power.
If the public starts seeing the Tories as a gang that will ally with anyone to stay in government, the consequences could be disastrous.
Get my free guide: “10 Political Lies You Were Sold This Decade” — just subscribe to our email list here:
👉 https://voxpoliticalonline.com
And let’s look at it from the other side. Suppose a coalition came to pass. Reform UK, despite its recent surge in popularity, remains an untested political force.
An alliance with the Tories could taint their outsider image, making them appear more like one of the Establishment parties they have long railed against.
This could alienate Reform’s core supporters, who are attracted to the party precisely because it is seen as a disruptive force.
Help fund great articles! We’re aiming for £50 to cover research and reporting time this week.
Can you chip in £2 today?
👉 https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
Maybe Houchen is just the wrong man, saying the wrong thing. His suggestion signals a fundamental misunderstanding of what the Conservative Party needs to do in order to recover.
If the Tories continue down this path, they risk making what could be a massive policy mistake that could undermine their ability to govern and destroy any hope of future unity.
So will the Tories heed the warnings of their own party leadership and avoid the temptation to make a deal with the devil, or will they embrace desperation at the cost of their political integrity?
The answer could well determine the long-term future of what was formerly the most successful political organisation in the UK.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
you might also like
Let’s start the New Year with some hopeful news
The lies that smashed the unions and destroyed our coal industry
We have an Education Secretary who wants to overwrite history with lies