Tories’ last chance saloon raises glass to Rishi

THE TRANSFORMATION in the mood of the Tory party has been remarkable. Last week, chaos and acrimony prevailed as Liz Truss’s government imploded.

The flight from credibility was reflected in one opinion poll that put the Conservatives on just 14 per cent, by far their lowest rating in history.

In the wake of Truss’s resignation, the subsequent leadership battle could have been the cue for a further descent into meltdown. Yet, paradoxically, it achieved the opposite by ensuring Rishi Sunak’s rapid ascent to No 10 without another drawn-out contest.

Not only was the operation carried out with a ruthless efficiency which revealed that the Parliamentary party had finally rediscovered its sense of purpose, but also the victor was easily the best candidate.

As the former Foreign Secretary William Hague, whom Sunak succeeded as MP for Richmond in 2015, put it yesterday: “I struggle to recall anyone with stronger attributes of intelligence, thoughtfulness and self-discipline.”

Today, under Sunak’s new leadership, the party appears more unified and professional than it has done in months.

“We looked into the grave and decided to live,” said one senior MP.

This unity may just be a veneer which could crack under the pressure of events and more economic turmoil. But if anyone can revive his party, revitalise the economy and reassure the country, it is Sunak – as he has proved in his confident start yesterday.

After his acceptance of the King’s commission at the Palace to form a new government, he made his first address to the nation as Prime Minister from a lectern in front of No 10.

The day before, he had been widely criticised for his brief, perfunctory speech, delivered in a robotic style, following the announcement of his victory.

But this performance was far more authentic and substantive. Its chief virtues were its honesty and resolution.

Warning that Britain faces “a profound economic crisis”, he said that he would take the necessary tough decisions for the country’s sake, backed up by the same compassion he showed in his vast Covid rescue package.

With deft skill, he also rejected the charge that his Government lacks legitimacy since it has no electoral mandate.

In fact, he promised that his mission would be the fulfilment of the 2019 manifesto, on which the Tories had won a landslide.

Throughout, he exuded a sense of determination, reinforced by his unsmiling, solemn demeanour, and the absence of any supporting cast in Downing Street from family or cheerleaders.

Then he moved on to the construction of his Cabinet. The skill set required for this job is immense.

Like a top football manager, a successful Prime Minister must be able to judge talent, motivate the team, develop a winning strategy, command loyalty and ditch failures. But