Rishi Sunak is facing a crisis of confidence within his own party after the handling of the Frank Hester row and defection by Lee Anderson. The PM's standing in the Tory parliamentary party has plummeted, with many MPs expressing their discontent about electoral prospects under his leadership.
Some names being discussed as potential successors include Penny Mordaunt.
Rishi Sunak is facing a crisis of confidence within his own party after the handling of the Frank Hester row and defection by Lee Anderson. The PM's standing in the Tory parliamentary party has plummeted, with many MPs expressing their discontent about electoral prospects under his leadership. Despite this, Sunak is hoping that three key moments this week will turn around his fortunes: Monday's speech on the economy, Wednesday's end of term appearance before Tory MPs and new inflation figures due out the same day. Some names being discussed as potential successors include Penny Mordaunt.
It is not clear if Rishi Sunak's handling of the Frank Hester row was appropriate or effective.
The defection by Lee Anderson may have been a result of dissatisfaction with Rishi Sunak's leadership, but it is also possible that other factors were at play.
Sunak condemned Hester's words as 'racist and wrong'
Lee Anderson defected to Reform
Despondency among MPs about electoral prospects with Sunak at helm has led to leadership speculation
Accuracy
Hester made racist comments about Diane Abbott
Lee Anderson defected to Reform, angering Tory right
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author quotes a cabinet minister who says that they have been doing the rounds of constituency parties across the country without disclosing their identity or purpose. This implies that they are trying to rally support for another candidate and therefore undermines Sunak's leadership. Secondly, the article suggests that some MPs on the right of the party want Mordaunt to act as a stalking horse candidate before triggering a leadership contest, but it does not provide any evidence or quotes from these MPs to support this claim. This is an example of deceptive reporting by omission. Finally, the article suggests that some Tory MPs are downbeat about their prospects at the election and want Sunak to be replaced before November when he plans to hold the election, but it does not provide any evidence or quotes from these MPs to support this claim either. This is an example of selective reporting.
The cabinet minister who said they have been doing the rounds of constituency parties across the country without disclosing their identity or purpose undermines Sunak's leadership.
The article suggests that some MPs on the right of the party want Mordaunt to act as a stalking horse candidate before triggering a leadership contest, but it does not provide any evidence or quotes from these MPs to support this claim.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when the author quotes a cabinet minister saying 'we've got to get the money in'. This statement implies that getting money from Hester is more important than condemning his racist remarks, which contradicts Sunak's own statements and actions. Additionally, this quote suggests that there was no consensus among cabinet members about Hester's comments, which is not supported by other information provided in the article. The second fallacy is a false dilemma when the author presents two options for Downing Street: either condemn Hester's remarks or double down and tough it out. This oversimplifies a complex situation and ignores other possible responses that could have been taken, such as distancing themselves from Hester while still getting his money. The third fallacy is an appeal to emotion when the author quotes a cabinet minister saying 'It went on too long' in response to Downing Street's handling of the row. This statement suggests that there was no justification for Sunak and No 10 not condemning Hester sooner, which ignores other factors at play such as political considerations and timing. The fourth fallacy is a slippery slope when the author implies that if Mordaunt were to act as a stalking horse candidate, it would lead to another leadership contest before the next general election. This statement oversimplifies complex political dynamics and ignores other factors at play such as public opinion and economic conditions.
The cabinet minister's quote 'we've got to get the money in'
Bias
(85%)
The article contains multiple examples of bias. The author uses inflammatory language to describe the comments made by Frank Hester and No 10's handling of the situation. They also use quotes from anonymous sources without providing any context or verifying their credibility.
Frank Hester’s clearly racist remarks about Diane Abbott
It went on too long, admits one cabinet minister. Downing Street's handling of the row had uncomfortable echoes of Boris Johnson's dying days for some Tory MPs.
Many figures in the centre of the party are also having doubts that Sunak can last the course.
No 10 until the end of the day to condemn his words as racist and wrong
The former Tory deputy chair Lee Anderson defected to Reform, angering the right of the party
, Rishi Sunak hopes three key moments this week will turn around his fortunes after his standing in the party plummeted. The PM is hoping Monday’s speech on the economy, Wednesday’s end of term appearance before Tory MPs and new inflation figures due out the same day, which could be close to the Bank of England target of 2%, will stem the bleeding of his premiership.
One name that appears to fit the bill for several different parts of the Tory parliamentary party is Commons leader and two-time leadership contender Penny Mordaunt.
Despondency among MPs about electoral prospects with Sunak at helm has led to leadership speculation.
Accuracy
, Rishi Sunak hopes three key moments this week will turn around his fortunes after his standing in the party plummeted. The PM is hoping Monday’s speech on the economy, Wednesday’s end of term appearance before Tory MPs and new inflation figures due out the same day, which could be close to the Bank of England target of 2%, will stem the bleeding of his premiership. , Listen above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'misery and despair' to describe the mood of the Tory party when it would be more accurate to say that there are concerns about their performance. Secondly, the author quotes a One Nation Tory saying that they believe there is no way there could be a change of leader without a contest, but this contradicts other statements in the article suggesting otherwise. Lastly, the author uses an anonymous source to make claims about Penny Mordaunt's views on changing leadership which cannot be verified.
Penny Mordaunt is suggested as a potential leader without any evidence of her support for this idea.
The Tory party is described as being in 'misery and despair',
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that senior figures put the likelihood of a change in leader below 50%, without providing any evidence or context for this claim. Additionally, the author quotes one source who believes there would have to be a general election straight away if Sunak went, which is not necessarily true and could be seen as an inflammatory statement. The article also contains examples of dichotomous depictions by stating that misery and despair are prevalent among Tory MPs while simultaneously mentioning that some on the right see Penny Mordaunt as a potential compromise candidate.
The author uses an appeal to authority when they state that senior figures put the likelihood of a change in leader below 50%, without providing any evidence or context for this claim.
The article contains examples of dichotomous depictions by stating that misery and despair are prevalent among Tory MPs while simultaneously mentioning that some on the right see Penny Mordaunt as a potential compromise candidate.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of ideological bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable by saying 'misery and despair' to describe the Tory party's mood. Additionally, the author mentions Rishi Sunak losing support from moderate MPs which could be seen as an example of ideological bias.
Some on the right say she might be their compromise candidate as she is pro-Brexit, performs well in the Commons, and would run a ‘balanced’ government post-Sunak
The Politics at Jack and Sam’s podcast conducted a wide-ranging survey of the Tory party
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author Sam Coates has a conflict of interest on the topics of Rishi Sunak and Frank Hester as he is affiliated with both individuals. He also has a financial tie to Penny Mordaunt through his reporting for The Telegraph.
In an article published by The Telegraph in 2019, Sam Coates reported on Rishi Sunak's appointment as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He noted that Sunak was a close ally of Boris Johnson, who had just been elected Prime Minister.
Sam Coates reported on Frank Hester's appointment as head of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in 2018, while he was still working at The Telegraph. He wrote that Hester had been a 'close friend and colleague' for many years.
Rishi Sunak has said that this will be the year Britain 'bounces back'
Hester made racist comments about Diane Abbott
Sunak condemned Hester's words as 'racist and wrong'
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that this will be a year of economic growth and success for Britain when there are no indications to suggest this is true. Secondly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'bounces back' which exaggerates the current state of the economy. Thirdly, despite stating that official figures show inflation has fallen further, it does not provide any evidence or link to these figures making it unclear where this information came from.
The title implies that this will be a year of economic growth and success for Britain when there are no indications to suggest this is true.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy. The author cites the Bank of England as a source for hope that interest rates will be cut, but this is not necessarily true and should not be taken at face value.
Inflation has fallen further and there are hopes in government that the Bank of England will soon begin cutting interest rates.
Bias
(75%)
The article contains a statement from Rishi Sunak that implies the economy is turning a corner. This could be seen as an example of optimism bias.
>This will be the year Britain bounces back<
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Steven Swinford and Oliver Wright have conflicts of interest on the topics of Rishi Sunak, Britain's bounce back year, economy turning a corner, inflation falling and interest rates cutting. They also have an affiliation with The Times newspaper which has its own political leanings.
Rishi Sunak is a member of the Conservative Party and was Chancellor of the Exchequer under Boris Johnson's government.
