Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has underscored the necessity for a robust opposition should Labour secure a victory in the imminent general election, cautioning against a potential centre-right vote split that could advantage the Labour Party.
Senior Conservative figures increasingly concede the potential for their party’s defeat. Mr Hunt’s recent comments are in line with those of Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride, who noted that current opinion polls suggest Labour might achieve one of the largest majorities in the country’s history. Grant Shapps has also warned of the risks associated with Labour attaining a ‘supermajority,’ which could result in unchecked power.
With the Conservative Party witnessing diminishing support in favour of Reform UK, prominent Tories consistently alert voters that casting a ballot for Nigel Farage’s party could fracture the centre-right vote, inadvertently benefiting Labour. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak remains adamant about contesting the upcoming election but acknowledges the growing challenge. In private, numerous Conservative candidates admit that a victory appears unlikely and are instead focusing on limiting Labour’s prospective majority.
This strategic pivot has only recently been publicly acknowledged by senior Conservatives. During an interview with BBC economics editor Faisal Islam, Mr Hunt was questioned about whether discussing a Labour ‘supermajority’ indicated the Conservative campaign had faltered. He responded, ‘I think it’s very important if Labour win, that they have an effective opposition in Parliament.’
Mr Hunt, who is contesting the newly established constituency of Godalming and Ash in Surrey, faces a narrow margin of competition against the Liberal Democrats. In the 2019 election, he secured a majority of 8,817 votes in his former seat of South West Surrey. Addressing voters, Mr Hunt stated, ‘If you vote for Reform, Reform aren’t going to win but the Lib Dems will win. You will have fewer centre-right MPs and fewer MPs who want to control migration, fewer MPs who want to reduce tax, and that isn’t what those voters want.’
The candidates for the Godalming and Ash constituency include Graham Drage from Reform UK, Paul Follows from the Liberal Democrats, Jeremy Hunt from the Conservative Party, Ruby Tucker from the Green Party, James Walsh representing Labour, and Harriet Williams from the Women’s Equality Party.
As the general election approaches, the emphasis on the need for an effective opposition becomes more critical, with senior Conservative figures advocating for strategic voting to prevent a disproportionate Labour majority.
