The resignation of the UK environment minister adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation for Rishi Sunak and his leadership within the British ruling conservative party. Recent research conducted among party members highlights a sharp decline in Sunak’s popularity, reaching its lowest level since he assumed office due to the country’s deep-seated economic and financial problems.
Statistical data published on ConservativeHome further underscores this decline, with Sunak’s popularity now residing in negative figures, presenting a formidable obstacle for the ruling party as they strive to secure victory in next year’s elections. Notably, within a span of one month, Sunak witnessed a significant drop from 21.6 to minus 2.7 according to these statistics.
The public opinion polls have closely aligned with these statistics regarding the resignation of the UK environment minister, revealing a decline in support for the conservative ruling party and an overall sense of dissatisfaction with government performance. Recent data from YouGov indicates that under Keir Starmer’s leadership, there is now a 25 percentage point lead for the Labor Party compared to their Conservative counterparts, and this gap continues to widen steadily.
Experts view these figures as a definitive signal of public discontentment towards the current economic state. Paul Goodman, editor-in-chief at ConservativeHome website, has expressed worry over people’s profound disillusionment with Britain’s economic circumstances.
Johnson’s allies criticise Rishi Sunak’s government.
Boris Johnson resigned in early June in protest at being accused in a report of lying to lawmakers about his controversial parties at the Prime Minister’s residence during the implementation of mandatory quarantine laws. Since his resignation, some of Johnson’s allies have intensified their criticism of Sunak’s government. Not long ago, a British parliamentary committee criticised the behaviour of a group of Johnson loyalists for intimidating the inquiry committee for charging Johnson’s performance and reprimanded Goldsmith in this regard.
Rishi Sunak’s arguments about the resignation of the UK environment minister
Goldsmith said he had no problem apologising for criticising the British parliamentary committee investigating Boris Johnson. In response, Sunak sent Goldsmith a letter: “You were asked to apologise for your comments about the Privileges Committee as we felt they were incompatible with your position as a Minister of the Crown. You have decided to take a different course.”
Rishi Sunak’s lack of interest in British environmental issues
Goldsmith, who was a member of the upper house of the British Parliament and was active as an advisor to the British government in the affairs of overseas territories (including the Falkland Islands); commonwealth; energy, climate and environment explained his resignation: “The problem is not that the govt is hostile to the environment, it is that you, our prime minister, are simply uninterested.”
In other words, Goldsmith wrote in his resignation letter that the UK has visibly withdrawn from the world stage and withdrawn its leadership in the fields of nature and the environment. Rishi Sunak’s lack of interest in environmental issues is the most critical reason for Goldsmith’s resignation.
Creating divisions and hypocrisy in the British Conservative Party
According to Guardian, the UK is expected to hold an election next year, and polls show a weakening of the Conservative Party’s votes. Right now, the Conservative Party is divided between those loyal to Rishi Sunak and those like Goldsmith who see the marginalisation of Boris Johnson as unfair.
UK’s inability to control greenhouse gases
The Sunak government’s climate advisers also published a report with similar literature a few days ago. They said that the UK has lost its position as a global leader in climate action and needs to do more to achieve the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century.
“We can be proud of the UK’s record as a world leader on net zero; we are going far beyond other countries and delivering tangible progress while bringing down energy bills, with hundreds of pounds coming off bills from next month,” Sunak told Goldsmith.
The challenge of the British people in next year’s general election
The economic situation in the UK is a chronic crisis, which was exacerbated by the country’s exit from the EU. The UK is caught in a 15-year uncertainty; On the one hand, it tends to imagine itself as a dynamic and free-market place, but its economy lags behind many of the world’s rich countries.
Many political and economic observers believe that passing through this crisis will take at least until the end of this decade. Examining the promises made by the Labour Party also shows that they need a practical and realistic solution to get out of the economic problems. British environmental issues are worsening daily, and the government has no answer to improve them.
