Farage ‘Terrorizing’ Tories: Mandelson Critiques Sunak’s Strategy Ahead of General Election

General election: Nigel Farage 'terrorising' Conservatives, with Rishi Sunak too timid to respond, claims Lord Mandelson

Attempting to surpass the unconventional politician is a mistake by the prime minister, as it only makes him more daring, the ex-spin doctor explains on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.

Sunday, June 16, 2024, 1:

Lord Mandelson has accused Nigel Farage of "terrorising" the Conservative Party, and he believes Rishi Sunak is hesitant to confront him, as reported by Sky News.

The ex-cabinet member and strategist, known for orchestrating Tony Blair's overwhelming victory in 1997, contended that the Conservative leader's role should be to confront Mr. Farage and Reform UK instead of attempting to placate them.

Attempting to outmaneuver Mr. Farage merely empowered the unconventional politician and augmented his influence, the peer noted during his appearance on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.

Update on the Election

The move by the ex-UKIP chief to run for a Conservative-controlled constituency in the upcoming election and assume leadership of Reform UK has intensified the electoral challenges facing Mr. Sunak, posing a risk of dividing both the vote and the party.

Recent surveys have painted a more dismal picture for the Conservative Party, showing them poised to secure only 72 seats.

A different poll conducted on Thursday evening showed that for the first time, Reform is leading the Tories, securing 19% of the vote, while the Conservatives received 18%.

This prompted Mr. Farage, who plans to unveil Reform's manifesto on Monday, to state that his party now stands as the opposition to Labour.

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In the meantime, Cabinet Minister Mark Harper has echoed his party's caution that casting a ballot for Reform UK could result in Labour securing "a very large majority" and unrestricted power while in government.

Lord Mandelson contended that Mr. Sunak erred not only by not sufficiently distinguishing himself from former leaders Boris Johnson and Liz Truss but also in attempting to surpass Reform UK in their own territory.

Stay informed with the most recent updates from both the UK and international scenes by tuning into Sky News.

The peer stated: "He's managing this by pacifying them, essentially by pandering to Farage, which doesn't actually outmaneuver him. Instead, it only emboldens him. It's simply making him, quite honestly, more formidable than Sunak. As a result, the approach and strategy have been incorrect, in my opinion, from the start by Sunak."

"I believe he avoids confronting Farage because he views him as a more formidable political figure and, quite honestly, he's intimidated by the prospect of facing him."

Discover further details on Sky News: Farage forecasts 'conflict' within Conservative ranks. What changes might a Labour administration bring to football? On the ground: An insider's view of the election campaign coverage.

Speaking about Mr. Farage, Lord Mandelson commented, "He really frightens the Conservative Party. He essentially scared David Cameron into agreeing to a referendum on our EU membership, and currently, he's exerting similar pressure on Sunak. He intimidates them."

"You must confront terrorists, in the global arena as well as within British political boundaries."

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He continued, "However, it cannot be ignored that Farage is a skilled politician. He communicates his ideas clearly. Personally, I don't share his views in the slightest.

"I believe that Farage excels more at criticism and dismantling others than he does in presenting a viable, positive solution.

"Regardless, it is the responsibility of the Conservative Party leader to confront these issues and present a different option to the right wing, rather than trying to placate it."

He subsequently explained, "I don't mean he's an actual terrorist. What I'm suggesting is that he's causing turmoil within the Conservative Party."

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