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Senior Conservative leaders have already begun to point out who is to blame for the party’s failure in the general election, with one MP describing it as “the worst election campaign of my lifetime”.
With 48 hours to go before Americans head to the ballot box, the finger-pointing is already on over who is responsible for an election strategy riddled with missteps, blunders and scandal.
Party leaders have been particularly incensed by the treatment of the Reform Party and its leader, Nigel Farage, with many of the Red Wall candidates arguing that CCHQ should have been more vocal in its criticism of far-right parties earlier in the campaign.
Party insiders believe Rishi Sunak ultimately bears full responsibility for the disappointing campaign, but one senior source said the Conservative campaign manager, Isaac Levido, would also face considerable criticism for how the campaign was run.
“Isaac will be criticised but can easily explain that he was always against summer elections and wanted to wait until the autumn, but ultimately it will be Rishi who bears most of the blame,” the senior source said.
The person argued that the Conservative party should have “fought for reform” sooner, adding: “This is the worst election campaign of my lifetime.”
Sources said Levid made it clear from the start that voters who switched from the Conservatives to Labour in 2019 were “gone and not coming back”, and advised all candidates to target Reform Party supporters instead.
Conservatives defending red wall seats have called on party headquarters to deal tougher with Mr Farage, but senior cabinet members and former ministers believe candidates will “fade away” and say people should “ignore them”.
The senior member said there was a feeling in Conservative WhatsApp groups that “it’s a tough fight on”, but that those whose seats are less difficult to win are focused on “what’s left” and what happens next.
The source added that even candidates defending majority seats of more than 20,000 people are finding themselves in a bind: “I helped campaign in one seat and after going door to door I said, ‘This doesn’t feel like a majority seat of 23,000.'”
There have also been complaints about the amount of money CCHQ spends on individual candidates’ campaigns, with candidates lamenting that they have to cover all costs out of their own pocket, including online campaigning.
The person said he had not seen any of the leaflets distributed under the guise of “national expenditure” sent from central funds, but had received a leaflet from Sir Keir Starmer in his letterbox.
This is in comparison to 2019, when digital campaigns were well-funded, but this time, none was offered.
In an interview with Times Radio, the Prime Minister stressed that she took “full responsibility” for the election campaign, but also insisted: “The election is not over yet. In the next few days everyone will have a clear choice. If you want lower taxes, protected pensions and secure borders, there is no other way to get that than by voting Conservative.”
He added: “And I know people are frustrated. It hasn’t been an easy few years. People are frustrated with me, frustrated with the party.”
The Conservatives have changed their campaign messaging in the past 24 hours, telling voters that just 130,000 votes could decide the outcome of around 100 seats and therefore prevent Labour from securing a majority on Thursday.
Speaking at a rally in Oxfordshire, Mr Sunak will urge voters not to “lend” their vote to the Conservatives on polling day and hand Labour a “super majority”.
“Independent analysis suggests that 130,000 votes could decide more than 100 seats, and in close constituencies even a small number of Conservative votes could prevent Labour winning a majority,” Sunak would say.
Treasury Secretary Laura Trott wrote: I “If this small minority decide they want more money every month, it will stop Labour from winning a majority.”
“There is a clear choice in this election – either Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer will decide how much tax you pay,” she said, adding: “This election is by no means a foregone conclusion. If you care about more money, spending wisely and lower taxes, this is an easy decision.”
No one has ever had more power over who gets to spend their tax money. You have only two choices: ask Labour to raise your taxes, or join us to lower your taxes. That’s it.
Despite warnings from some polls pointing to a possible Labour majority, this election is set to be incredibly close, with analysis showing that an estimated 130,000 votes could decide more than 100 seats.
If this small minority decides they want more money every month, it will prevent Labour from winning a majority.
Make your vote count.
Don’t be fooled, Labour are light years ahead of us on tax. As the Independent Institute for Fiscal Studies has confirmed, Labour will raise taxes to record highs whilst we, the Conservatives, will keep them low.
No matter where you are in life, we can help you have more money in your pocket at the end of the month. Reduce your taxes.
It’s not just a difference of opinion. It’s much deeper than that. It’s about our very nature.
As Conservatives, we know in our hearts that you can spend your money much better than the government can.
Labour has used the excuse for future tax rises to say it will wait to see how the financial statements turn out before ruling out tax increases if it comes to power – but the independent research organisation the IFS has completely rejected that excuse.
Labour are asking to be given a blank cheque at this election because they won’t be honest about what taxes they will increase – for the first time in history they want to put state pensions under income tax and he has not ruled out a council tax grab either.
The contrast could not be greater. Since January, we have cut the average worker’s tax by £900, putting more money back in the pockets of hard-working people. The average UK earner’s personal income tax rate is now the lowest it has been in more than 50 years.
We have set out a policy of tax cuts. We will cut the average worker’s National Insurance contribution by a further £450 by 2027. We will abolish National Insurance for the self-employed to support the entrepreneurs who drive our economy. We will ensure that state pensions are not dragged down into income tax. We will abolish stamp duty for first-time home buyers by £425,000, to enable more young people to get the keys to their first home.
And there’s so much more.
But if a Labour government is elected on 5 July, all this good work will be wasted.
This election gives you a clear choice: either Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer will decide how much tax you pay.
This election is by no means a foregone conclusion. If you want more money in your pocket, spend wisely, and lower your taxes, this is an easy decision.
Laura Trott
Laura Trott is Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Conservative candidate for the Sevenoaks constituency.