Churchill's rhetoric to Sunak's blunders: The fall of British discourse

The United Kingdom was once led by the likes of Winston Churchill, who used his mastery of the language to rouse the nation in its darkest hour. His speeches, which he wrote himself, are considered works of literature.

The "Blood, Toil, Tears, Sweat" speech – which he delivered after becoming prime minister during World War II – is still powerful enough to serve as a clarion call for action, 84 years after Churchill delivered it at the House of Commons.

But the politics of British discourse has fallen precipitously from Churchill's epoch-defining rhetoric to the awkward fumbles and gaffes of Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, latter-day custodians of Churchill's Conservative Party.

One can only imagine what Churchill would think of the blabbering Sunak, who once asked a homeless man getting food at a shelter whether he worked "in business" and if he wanted to get into the finance industry.

Or what Margaret Thatcher, the daughter of a grocer who rose to the top of the Conservative Party and served as prime minister in the 1980s, would say about multi-millionaire Sunak referring to his childhood without Sky TV as an example of hardship.

Not just the Tories

The comparison extends to the Labour Party, too. Tony Blair, prime minister from 1997 to 2007, was known for his polished and persuasive oratory. In contrast, critics have called newly elected premier Keir Starmer "as charismatic as a lukewarm block of unseasoned tofu."

"He's like those boring people you get stuck with at parties, so bad at small talk that they render you speechless as well, unable to think of anything to ask them," said British author Mark Mason about the Labour politician, who just led his party to one of its biggest electoral victories in the July 4 general election.

Can the current lot of front-row UK politicians hold a candle to their predecessors in terms of eloquence, personal charisma and mass popularity? Experts are sceptical.

Speaking to TRT World, Dr Christopher Pich of the University of Nottingham said there's a "sharp contrast" between the current and past senior political leaders of the two main UK political parties.

Pich, who specialises in political branding, pointed out that Starmer has been described variously as "Blair without the flare," "dull" and "boring," while Sunak has been called "out of touch" and "unrelatable" by voters from their respective parties.

However, the two politicians have also been described as "safe," "decisive" and "determined," compared with recent premiers Johnson and Truss, he said.

"Perhaps the next general election in 2028 will see a return of party leaders with mass popularity, authenticity, personal charisma and eloquence," he said, adding that the UK has witnessed a "regular cycle" of distinct personalities and leadership styles shaped by politicians of the past.

After all, Blair was considered "fresh" and "authentic" in contrast with his immediate predecessor, Sir John Major. Similarly, in 2010 David Cameron enjoyed "broad appeal" and was considered "full of energy and passion" as opposed to his immediate predecessor, Gordon Brown of the Labour Party, he said.

According to Dr Murray Stewart Leith, professor of political science at the University of the West of Scotland, politics in the UK has become "much more partisan and personalised" today compared to decades ago—a phenomenon that subjects politicians to attack and challenge more than ever before.

The personal charisma required for a British premier seems to have escaped Sunak's grasp, he told TRT World. The same is the case with Sunak's replacement.

"(Starmer) has a long way to go before he can convince a majority of the public that he stands among the greats of the past," Leith said.

How Conservatives bungled

In this week's election, electoral support for the Conservative Party, which has been in power since 2010, shrank to its lowest level in terms of the number of seats.

With good reason.

The British economy, sixth largest in the world, stagnated under the Tory rule of 14 years, with the annual growth rate averaging just 1.5 percent since 2010. Inflation-adjusted wages are lower than what they were worth back in 2008.

The Conservative Party imposed budget cuts in the name of austerity, resulting in crumbling infrastructure and worsening education and health sectors across Britain.

"I have interviewed many young voters on the topic of wealth and leadership… The real issue is being perceived as out of touch," Pich said. "Being 'in touch' is crucial, and one way to win over the hearts and minds of the electorate."

Many young voters told Pich that Sunak's argument about suffering hardship growing up with the absence of Sky TV was "laughable" and one that showed how "unrelatable" he is.

Leith said class has historically been an important aspect of British society. The idea that class has ceased to be a concept of importance in politics has been overblown, he added.

"The Conservative Party has come to be seen as the party of supporting the rich and the powerful, and one that takes less interest in working-class people," he said.

Members of the Conservative Party have made "very disparaging" comments about working-class and middle-class people, which is reflective of a political leadership that's out of touch with ordinary people, he added.

Labour turns a new leaf

The decisive victory of the Labour Party follows a humiliating defeat at the ballot five years ago when its ambiguous stance on Brexit alienated voters on both the Leave and Remain sides of the debate over the UK's exit from the European Union.

Moreover, the Labour Party reportedly suffered because of its then-leader, Jeremy Corbyn. He faced significant criticism over his handling of accusations of anti-Semitism within the party and was perceived by many voters as being too left-wing and radical.

But Starmer turned a corner by "shifting firmly to the centre ground of politics" and publicly expelling Corbyn, said Leith. Starmer promised change but was careful not to promise too much too soon, he added.

"The Starmer-led Labour Party has been able to capture the support of the large disenchanted segment of British voters, while not necessarily capturing their hearts," he said.

Surveys show the majority of UK voters are not necessarily in love with, or desire, a Labour government, he said.

"The Labour Party appears to have bounced back not due to its offer of 'change'… but because many voters want the Tories out of office."