Economist Podcasts So the Tory goes: Britain’s Conservatives meet
Oct 5, 2023
Matthew Holhouse, The Economist's Britain desk correspondent, provides a deep dive into the turmoil within the Conservative Party, highlighting internal divisions exacerbated by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's recent policies. Tamara Gilkes-Bohr, the U.S. policy correspondent, discusses groundbreaking research on medications for alcohol use disorder, particularly the potential of weight-loss drugs in treatment. The conversation also touches upon global sleep patterns, revealing surprising insights about which countries enjoy the best rest.
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Tories' Troubles
- The Conservative Party's poll ratings have dropped significantly, particularly after Liz Truss's brief time as Prime Minister.
- Their economic competence, historically an advantage over Labour, has been damaged.
Conference Atmosphere
- Georgia Banjo describes the atmosphere at the Conservative Party conference as a strange mix of joviality and division.
- Attendees seemed to be either on the fringes or feeling quite despondent.
Sunak's Strategy
- Despite being in power for 13 years, Rishi Sunak is positioning himself and the Conservatives as the "change" candidates.
- He announced policy shifts like scrapping a high-speed rail line and progressively banning cigarettes.