Nearly everywhere in the West, the centre-right is being replaced as the “mainstream” political party by the populist-right. The latest victim is the British Conservative Party. The Tories, who ruled Britain from 2010 to 2024, seemed like they were in one of the worst spots in decades in July of last year: they had lost an election to the Labour Party in stunning fashion, with Labour winning over 400 seats and the Tories being reduced to 121, giving up a whopping 254 seats and failing to break 25 per cent in the popular vote.

But less than a year later it is arguable that they are even worse off. And it is not because the Labour government has worked wonders. One the contrary, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is deeply unpopular, having made a series of opening decisions – like raising heating costs – which quickly dampened enthusiasm among his base and provided the weakened Tories with an opening.

Or at least, it should have helped the Tories. But it hasn’t. A look at polling reveals that they have in fact lost points since last year’s election.