The party’s survival, he rightly pointed out, depends not only on regaining public confidence but also on reaffirming “the Conservative ideal that we believe in decency, personal responsibility and social justice as allowed by conventions and the rule of law”. Now that the “Big Dog” seems to have had its day, can faith be restored to the party faithful? Even Nigel Farage seems to think so, arguing that Mr Johnson’s departure provides an opportune time for a “proper reset”. For the party to have a fighting chance of winning the next general election, there is little doubt that it needs to rediscover the small-state, low-tax Toryism that has seen it win more elections than any of its rivals since 1830. Much of the criticism leveled at Mr Johnson in recent months has been as much about his lack of performance as his lack of judgement. It is not only his character and abilities that have been called into question, but his conservatism. The Prime Minister was elected 31 months ago on a simple series of manifesto promises. Highlighted in bold, the aspiration was: “Getting Brexit done. Investment in our public services and infrastructure. Supporting workers and families. Strengthening the Union. Unleashing Britain’s potential’. While he cannot be held responsible for the pandemic or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there is a palpable sense that Mr Johnson has failed to produce the goods in what Margaret Thatcher described as Tory “facts of life”. Big on promise but short on delivery, the prime minister left Brexiteers wondering exactly when he would pull the levers to make Britain the “world leader in free trade” he promised. Businesses big and small have been left wondering what happened to the pledge to make the UK the most competitive country in Europe. Voters have been left wondering what happened to the pledge to finally resolve the migrant crisis in the English Channel.
