A Conservative Member of Parliament faced embarrassment after discussing how Margaret Thatcher would address current issues, only to realize that her party was in power for 14 years without implementing those actions. The incident occurred during a gathering at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, commemorating the centenary of Thatcher’s birth, where Esther McVey drew laughter from fellow Tories.
Speaking at the event, McVey, a former minister under Rishi Sunak, criticized the Labour Party’s GB Energy and expressed concerns about quangos, attributing their influence to Tony Blair’s governance. She emphasized the need to rectify the situation, suggesting that Thatcher would have acted promptly if she were in power.
In a moment of realization, McVey acknowledged the Conservative Party’s lengthy tenure in government, prompting humorous remarks from the panel’s host, Robert Colvile. The audience burst into laughter as the conversation unfolded.
Following the incident, McVey attempted to regain composure by highlighting the evolving alignment between politicians and the public. The episode echoed recent criticisms of Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, for failing to address past party shortcomings during her tenure.
A Labour spokesperson lambasted Badenoch for the party’s alleged lack of accountability and inability to learn from past mistakes. The ongoing political discourse between the Tories and Labour underscores contrasting approaches to national development and public trust in governance.