Rishi Sunak has attended, what may be considered, one of ‘the first hustings of the 2024 General Election’ - here’s what it told us about the messaging and points we can expect to see in the election campaign.
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In short, with an aim to appease, Rishi Sunak repeated how 'the recent parliamentary term hasn’t been easy', but that 'the plan is working' in efforts to win over voters. There was some talk of policy and the word 'right' was used a countless amount of times (whether it was to reassure himself or voters remains uncertain).
He boldly proclaimed that he will ‘win the next election’ - the opposite of the messaging seen from Sir Keir Starmer, who insists he doesn’t want to become complacent and presuppose an electoral win.
But the most arresting thing was the Prime Minister basically telling people they should vote for the Conservative Party simply because it’s not the Labour Party:
'That’s what the election is about - do we stick with the plan that’s starting to work or go back to square one with the Labour Party?'
More of the key messaging we can expect to be repeated as part of the election campaign includes creating a 'brighter future' and a 'renewed sense of pride' - despite the Conservatives being solely in power for roughly nine years.
He repeated the idea of 'record investment' and insisted that he was working on ‘long-term plans', which wouldn’t bring 'immediate results', such as the long term workforce plan for the NHS.
In a blow to the current parliamentary system, he blamed the Labour Party and the House of Lords for blocking policy and legislation that the government tried to pass, such as the Rwanda Bill.
Mr. Sunak insisted it has to be 'a national priority to stop the boats', with taxpayers spending £7-8m a day on migration, and spoke of deals with France and Albania in efforts to reduce the levels of illegal migration.
On NHS waiting lists, he insisted the plan is working, with the backlog starting to fall - whilst also blaming NHS workers who’re striking for delaying the treatment of patients.
And, anytime the NHS is brought up during the election campaign, we can expect to hear Rishi Sunak’s family pharmacy story - in an effort to try and relate.
In response to an audience member’s question on social care and funding, he says an ageing population was behind more money being required to fund the system and claimed councils now have a ring fenced £600m or 7.5% more to invest in social care, insisting it’s a right for people to receive social care in old age.
It had similar echoes to the political philosopher and father of Liberalism, John Locke’s, ‘social contract theory’ whereby he argues a man has the right to the fruits of his labour and a government has obligations to their citizens.
When the Prime Minister was asked about transgender rights, something of high tensions given the criticisms he has faced for a jibe made during Prime Minister’s Questions, he said there needs to be ‘tolerance’ and ‘sensitivity’ around the issue, but insisted ‘biological sex remains important’.
But the one thing that didn’t come up during the forum - much to Mr. Sunak’s clear annoyance - was tax and the economy.
As the hustings approached the final few minutes, there was a bizarre interjection by the Prime Minister where he appeared desperate to be asked a question on these topics, almost as if he had an exemplar answer pre-prepared that he wanted the country to hear.
So it may not be overly surprising if Mr. Sunak tries to make this another focus of the election.
Overall, what it really told us was that we can expect to see more attacks on the Labour Party, to be told that 'the plan is working', and that he’s working to create a 'brighter future'.
No doubt there’ll be plenty more questions raised during the Ministerial rounds on breakfast telly tomorrow morning.