The Conservative Party's Complacency and Arrogance in the 2017 General Election Campaign

Only a couple of days remain until the results of the 2017 General Election are revealed, and the initial indications are that the Conservative Party might have achieved their ultimate goal with a 'complacent' campaign.

A Mixture of Complacency and Arrogance

Leading up to the election, Prime Minister Theresa May was operating with a sense of complacency and arrogance. Her message to the electorate was clear: 'nothing has changed.'

Background and Initial Momentum

On April 18, 2017, Theresa May had strong reasons to be optimistic. The near-unanimous support of the parliament for her Brexit minister's Article 50 legislation provided a new lever in her campaign arsenal. The opposition party, Labour, was then led by an unpopular figure, and May had a clear message: a 'strong and stable government.'

Right Wing Press and Initial Support

The right-wing press were effusive in their support, predicting a significant victory for the Conservatives, with some suggesting 'the biggest Tory landslide in history.' However, this initial confidence was misplaced, as May would later discover.

The Complacent Campaign

May's distant, authoritarian, and patriotic campaign style may appear appealing, but it is her inability to connect with voters that is proving her downfall. Her arrogant and complacent behavior was on full display during two notable events:

Lack of Participation in TV Debate

On May 31, 2017, at a televised debate in Cambridge with other party leaders, May declined to participate. Instead, her ministerial colleague, Amber Rudd, spoke on her behalf. Rudd argued that voters should judge her and the Conservative Party based on their recent record. Her absence from the debate was a direct manifestation of May's complacency.

Arrogant and Haughty Public Comments

May's arrogance was further demonstrated in a press conference on May 22, 2017, in Cardiff. When questioned about the social care manifesto u-turn, May exasperatedly stated, 'nothing has changed.' Her reaction reveals a dismissive attitude towards public concerns and questions.

Impact of Arrogance and Complacency

May's arrogance and complacency have taken a toll. POLLING indicates that the margin between the Conservatives and Labour has nearly halved. While I still believe that May will likely secure an outright victory for the Conservatives, the possibility exists that the party might gain fewer than 20 extra seats, or even lose some.

Labour's Authenticity and Engagement

In stark contrast, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been highly active on the campaign trail and has spoken passionately about social justice issues. Despite some poorly costed policies, Corbyn appears more authentic and engaging to many voters. His aloof and haughty counterpart, May, now appears distant and out of touch.

Prospects for the Election Outcome

The results of the election will be closely watched. If Labour's share of the popular vote exceeds 29%, it will be an improvement over their 2015 performance. Should they secure more than 35.2%, Corbyn's party will have a larger share of the popular vote than Tony Blair did in 2005.

Meanwhile, Theresa May must secure a higher number of seats to justify the expenditure of nearly ￡80 million in taxpayer funds. If she falls short, the election will be a waste of time and resources.

Future Challenges

Regardless of the election outcome, the challenges for the newly re-elected government will be substantial. Negotiations for Brexit will commence on June 19, 2017, and May will need to show resilience and adaptability to navigate the political landscape.

Conclusion

The 2017 General Election campaign has been marred by the Conservative Party's complacency and arrogance. As the results near, it remains to be seen whether May's party can meet the expectations set by their initial momentum. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, and only time will tell how the Conservative Party will fare.