Tory Peer downplays Conservative loss in Summer
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A Conservative member of the UK Parliament's House of Lords, Richard Balfe, highlights the striking similarities between the Tories and their rival Labour Party.
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Conservative member of the UK Parliament's House of Lords, Richard Balfe, seen in an official portrayal. (UK Parliament)
Lord Richard Balfe, a Conservative member of the UK Parliament's House of Lords, said as quoted by Sputnik that a potential Conservative defeat in the mid-summer election would not significantly impact the United Kingdom.
He also suggested that the Tories and their rival Labour Party share many similarities.
"Not much [in terms of consequences]. We have what is called a Democracy however that means that two rather similar Parties compete for power. I sit in the House of Lords and see their very collusive relationship," Balfe said.
The legislator further noted that the Conservatives would face challenges in securing victory after being in power for 14 years.
UK's Sunak says national elections to be held in second half of year
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced, on May 22, that a national election will take place in the second half of this year.
"Spoiler alert: there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year," Sunak told Parliament.
Labour's Sadiq Khan clinched an unprecedented third term as London's mayor on May 5, leading his party to victory in a series of mayoral and local elections, dealing a significant blow to the ruling Conservatives ahead of an anticipated general election.
Khan, aged 53, defeated Conservative opponent Susan Hall by an 11-point margin, dashing largely dim hopes among Tories of wresting control of the UK capital from Labour for the first time since 2016.
In the West Midlands, Conservative mayor Andy Street, vying for a third term, suffered an unexpected defeat to Labour's Richard Parker, delivering a significant setback to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Labour, who has been out of power since 2010 and suffered a heavy defeat by Boris Johnson's Conservatives in the last general election in 2019, also decisively won a parliamentary seat from the Tories.
During elections on May 2, Labour was tasked with defending nearly 1,000 council seats, many of which were gained in 2021 when the party was leading in national polls. However, the situation changed following the downfall of Boris Johnson's premiership and the turbulent 49-day tenure of his successor, Liz Truss.
Ultimately, Labour lost nearly half of the seats they were defending and ended up in third place behind the smaller centrist opposition, the Liberal Democrats.
Labour secured significant victories in key mayoral races across England, including in Yorkshire, Manchester, Liverpool, and various contests throughout the Midlands.
Read more: Labour's landmark victories has Sunak treading a tightrope
