In a dramatic escalation of his election strategy, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has intensified his attacks on the Labour Party, warning that a low turnout among traditional Conservative voters could lead to a devastating defeat. With the UK election just two days away, Sunak’s campaign has turned increasingly frantic as it attempts to reverse the tide of public opinion, which currently heavily favors Labour leader Keir Starmer.
Sunak’s Final Push: Fear and Warning
As the election draws near, Sunak has ramped up his rhetoric against Labour, cautioning that if Conservative supporters stay home, Starmer could secure a commanding parliamentary majority of over 200 seats. This, Sunak argues, would effectively give the incoming Labour government a “blank check” to implement its policies without checks and balances.
“The stakes are incredibly high,” Sunak declared. “If we don’t turn out, we could see Labour with a massive majority, allowing them to push through their agenda without any scrutiny. This could have serious consequences for our country’s future.”
Sunak’s campaign strategy in the final days has shifted from focusing on his own party’s vision to emphasizing the scale of a potential Labour victory. Recent surveys, including seat-by-seat analyses, project that Labour could achieve a historic win, surpassing Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide. This scenario is highlighted by 10 out of 11 MRP polls indicating that Labour is on track for an unprecedented number of seats.
Campaign Shift: From Victory to Damage Control
Despite Sunak’s insistence that he has not given up on victory, the Conservative campaign has pivoted to damage control. With Labour holding a persistent 20-point lead throughout the campaign, the Tories have been working to mobilize their base and persuade disenchanted voters—some of whom are considering abstaining or supporting Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK party—to turn out on Election Day.
In a bid to galvanize support, Sunak’s campaign has begun airing stark warnings about the potential consequences of a Labour government. A recent video posted on Sunak’s X (formerly Twitter) account suggested that Labour’s victory could lead to economic instability, including a crash of the FTSE 100 and widespread energy blackouts. However, reports from Bloomberg indicate that investors view the UK as a stable investment environment, with political and economic stability associated with a change of government.
Controversial Attacks on Starmer’s Personal Life
In a controversial move, the Conservative campaign has also targeted Labour leader Keir Starmer’s personal life. Sunak and his allies have criticized Starmer for blocking out Friday evenings to spend time with his family. This criticism has been met with backlash, particularly from Britain’s Jewish community, as Starmer’s wife comes from a Jewish background and the Labour leader has emphasized the significance of family time in his personal life.
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps accused Starmer of intending to be a “part-time prime minister,” while Minister Maria Caulfield misrepresented Starmer’s comments by suggesting he plans to work a four-day week—a claim not made by Starmer himself. This line of attack has been widely criticized as desperate and misplaced.
Starmer has defended his decision to prioritize family time, calling the Conservative attacks “desperate” and “bordering on hysterical.” He expressed frustration that the focus has shifted from substantive policy debates to personal attacks.
Reversal of Praise: Sunak’s Inconsistent Messaging
Adding to the controversy, Sunak had previously praised Starmer for balancing family life with work responsibilities. Just two weeks ago, Sunak acknowledged Starmer’s effective management of family and professional commitments. However, the current attacks contradict this earlier praise, raising questions about the consistency of Sunak’s campaign messages.
When questioned about the credibility of his campaign’s criticisms, Sunak expressed concerns about Starmer’s ability to handle national security but stopped short of directly endorsing the specific claims made by his campaign.
Conservative Campaign: Fear Tactics and Misinformation
The Conservative campaign’s fear tactics extend beyond personal attacks. Tory leaflets and statements warn of potential “French-style union laws,” national road charging, and increased welfare spending. However, Labour has dismissed these claims, stating that changes to working rights would be implemented in consultation with businesses and denying any plans for new road charges. Labour has also criticized the Tories for allegedly misrepresenting their policies on borders and work ethics.
In a final push, Sunak has also warned of increased illegal immigration if Labour wins, suggesting that asylum seekers are waiting at Calais for a Starmer government before attempting to cross the English Channel. This claim has been challenged by the record-high number of Channel crossings reported through June.
Labour has firmly denied any plans to raise taxes, insisting that no increases will be imposed on “working people” and categorically ruling out rises to income tax, national insurance, corporation tax, and VAT. Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has accused Sunak and the Conservatives of lying about Labour’s policies, characterizing their campaign as rife with “lies and hypocrisy.”
Conclusion
As the election approaches, Sunak’s campaign is characterized by heightened fear tactics and a shift in focus from policy to personal attacks. With Labour maintaining a strong lead, the Conservative effort now seems to be a last-ditch attempt to rally support and mitigate potential losses. The final days of the campaign will be crucial in determining whether these strategies can shift the tide of public opinion and alter the anticipated outcome of the vote.
