Can the Conservative Party ever win an election again?

“Miracles, in my experience in politics, happen by design.”

After a damning defeat in the general election, the prospect of a lengthy leadership race, and no consensus on ideology, how long could it take the Conservative Party to be electable again?

Political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie, and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley for his last episode as host of How To Win An Election.

[faffer]

I’ve always voted conservative but never will again. So many things they have done since 2015 are unforgivable,

[robertcreighton]

Let's hope not for God's sake.
Never again

[simac]

I think the 'reasons to be cheerful' thing is an appropiate way to end every show. Political discussion (including this one) is cynical and can often tend towards the negative. But politics was invented for the civic good, to make things better, to find the best way forward amongst differences. It is good to hear about the things that people do to achieve these goals rather than highlight only the things that don't.

[johnstanczyk]

The greatest failure of Sunak was calling the election in July because now we no longer have How to Win an Election.
I have lost my favorite part of Tuesdays.

[joelturley]

Let's take the world back from the DICTATORSHIPS and their enablers 😅

[billgiddings]

In Nov 1951, the third General Election after VE Day, in a turnout of over 84%, Labour polled 49.2% whilst the Conservatives polled just over 43% they won with the help of the Nat Libs. In 2024, Labour polled 36%. It took Labour thirteen years from 1951 to win again and then only by a majority of one.

[jonathangammond]

Nigel Farage will be a hopeless MP. It requires far too much effort for him to be a decent member of the House of Commons.

[Prometheus-Unbound]

Quite a lot of money to hire it? When you get 300 pounds for just turning up for a day?

[TrevorBarre]

And now, of course, they are all coming out with what a great guy Sunak is. Sickening backsliding, but no surprise here.

[danielwebb]

I'd take 3/1 on them winning most seats in 2029.

Always a plus to have a mental time frame longer than milk lasts in the fridge.

[mootedtols]

they couldn't run a circus. never again.

[bernardfox]

With Labour only getting 34% of the vote, it is not impossible. However due to their massive incompetence in economics and repeated lieing about the facts I think the public has finally realised how bad they were. It will take at least ten years for them to forget.

[adampowell]

If the Tories were to win an election again (I think there is a high probability that they will) I would view that as a tragedy rather than a miracle.

[AliTsays]

No matter how bad the conservatives were Labour will be ten times worse. Once the economy has been destroyed, the unions have held the country to ransom, and our culture eroded even further, people will see sense again and remember that the goal of an election is to keep Labour out.

[williamthompson]

No Chance! Vote RRFORM UK. The only chance we have of any form of survival.

[knightsnight]

Can the revolting tory party ever win again? Let's hope not.

[andyansell]

The ONLY way that the Tories can get back in 5 or 10 years, is IF Nigel Farage is their leader!

[twisteddancer]

Even Corbyn got more votes than Starmer

[NickTownsend-lmxz]

6 months of Labour rule should do the trick.

[Tom_murray]

It feels like the tories are a sinking ship