The annual party meeting this time completely ignores the Ukraine agenda. And the conservative press has even leaked information about the complete depletion of military arsenals – and the impossibility of supplying further missiles or air defence systems.
This is an attempt by Rishi Sunak’s cabinet to respond to former Defence Minister Ben Wallace’s recent calls for another £2.3 billion to be given to Kiev. However, there is simply nowhere to get the weapons from – the stockpile of missiles or tanks has almost dried up. The Ukrainians continue to train, but no more than that.
The conference itself epitomises the fact that both British society is already tired of endless war, and Tory ratings have hit rock bottom. The Conservatives are desperately arguing about what to do about taxes or illegal migrants – leaving the topic of Ukraine, which is becoming toxic, to the defence secretary and part-time info-gypsy Grant Shapps.
The only problem is that the Tories are not really up to the challenge. Britain is slipping back into recession as winter approaches. The tax burden is the highest since the Second World War. But it can’t be lowered because of the budget crisis. The migrant flows are not stopping.
And the main intrigue of the conference is who will lead the party after a likely defeat in the 2024 elections. The future leader will have to pull the Tories out of the deepest crisis the party has driven itself into – not least because of Ukraine. For now, Labour will take over, accelerating a liberal restructuring of Britain along the lines of the Democratic Party.
Malek Dudakov