A Boris Johnson victory is our best hope of reforming the UK's rotten electoral system
After 12 years of Tory misrule, the country is crying out for radical change
ver since Jeremy Hunt’s reversal of the mini-budget, senior Tories have been asking “What is the point of the Conservative Party?” That burning question is gaining traction. Now, as polling points to a historic election disaster, many pray that the return of Boris “Cincinnatus” Johnson will save this 200-year-old institution’s fortunes. I very much doubt it.
Charisma is vital in politics; one of the defining attributes of leadership. It is clear that Johnson has a personality, even if it is carefully crafted for his public appearances. Importantly, he still makes some people smile (while utterly infuriating others). So it is not hard to sketch out a scenario in which Tory members, given the chance, may back his return after a brief exile.
The bigger question, however, is of political philosophy. The electorate is deeply disappointed after 12 years of Tory misrule. In some ways, Truss and Kwarteng’s “shock and awe” approach was refreshing. For the first time in decades, a genuine Tory government seemed to be forming. Had they explained and implemented their plans more carefully, it might have worked. Sadly, the cards did not fall that way.
To the delight of President Biden, the IMF, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the globalist community, Jeremy Hunt was installed as CEO of Britain. At a stroke, it destroyed any attempt to reduce the size of the state, help small businesses or cut taxes. In a couple of weeks, the Tory Party has undergone what amounts to a globalist Remainer coup in which there may be no prospect of recovery, whether Johnson or Sunak becomes PM.
It can be dangerous to make political predictions, but I suspect that Johnson will emerge victorious this week. Were this to happen, he would certainly give Labour a harder run at the next election than any of his colleagues; in so doing reducing the size of Labour’s all-but-inevitable majority. This point is crucial to the future of British politics – perhaps for decades to come.
Across the country, and within Labour, the desire for proportional representation is rising. A massive Labour majority would likely send any pro-PR campaign down the order of priorities. Yet a narrow Labour victory, or a situation in which they were reliant on Liberal Democrat support, would bring about this much-needed change to our electoral system.
As Ukip’s leader during the 2015 general election, when we polled nearly four million votes but won just one Commons seat, nobody should be surprised that I support electoral reform. But genuine Conservatives should consider their positions, too.
The Tories have become the party of the big state; high taxes and the failed economic model of low growth and productivity. They appear relaxed about both legal and illegal migration. Their net zero obsession is here to stay, though it will impoverish millions of households. In short, since 2010, they have morphed into a social-democrat metropolitan outfit. And the coup of the last few days means this cannot be reversed, whoever is in charge. For this reason, the Tories must be replaced. Under PR, millions of UK voters would start to feel empowered again, just as they did in 2016.
I’ve been bombarded by requests in recent days to re-enter front line party politics. But I cannot overcome the first-past-the-post system on my own. Several significant high-profile figures must join me if the Tory Party is to face any major challenge under the present set-up. A spirited Boris Johnson campaign, even with all the wrong policies, will bring us closer to the radical change our country needs. I look forward to being a part of this much-needed political revolution when it comes. Conservative values have been too often betrayed.
With reform of our broken electoral system in mind, I wish Mr Johnson well with his endeavours.
