DevComms - Year in Review 2023

January

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aimed to lead a government based on "integrity, professionalism, and accountability.

Nadhim Zahawi MP, then Chairman of the Conservative Party, was dismissed following an independent inquiry.

Zahawi had to pay a £5 million fine to HMRC for unpaid taxes while serving as the Chancellor.

The inquiry found Zahawi committed "a serious breach of the ministerial code" regarding his tax affairs.

February

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation on February 15th. Sturgeon was later arrested (and released without charge pending investigations) related to SNP finance fraud allegations leading to a decline in SNP's electoral forecasts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a joint session of the UK Parliament in person at Westminster Hall.

PM Rishi Sunak and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Lyon, announced the Windsor Framework, amending the Northern Ireland Protocol.

March

Political news was dominated by the leak of former Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s WhatsApp messages during the COVID pandemic.

Sir Keir Starmer announced Sue Gray as Labour’s new Chief of Staff, sparking controversy over the impartiality of her report on the ‘Party-gate’ allegations.

Humza Yousaf was elected as the new Leader of the SNP.

Introduction of the Illegal Migration Bill

by Suella Braverman MP, then Home Secretary.

April Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned following an investigation into accusations of bullying.

The UK government announced plans to use the Bibby Stockholm vessel to house 500 male migrants off the coast of Dorset.

BBC Chairman Richard Sharp resigned over a breach of BBC rules related to a loan secured by former PM Boris Johnson.

May

The local elections on May 4th resulted in significant losses for the Conservative Party, with gains for Labour, the Lib Dems, and the Green Party.

The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla took place on May 6th, attended by over 2,200 guests including senior members of the Royal Family and world leaders.

Suella Braverman was reported to have instructed civil servants to organize a private speed awareness course during her tenure as Attorney General, leading to calls for an inquiry, which was not pursued by PM Rishi Sunak.

June

Caroline Lucas MP, the sole Green Party MP since 2010, announced her intention to step down at the next general election.

Multiple MPs, including Boris Johnson, Nigel Adams, David Warburton, and Nadine Dorries, resigned from Parliament due to the fallout from Partygate and the Honours List controversy.

The UK's Court of Appeal ruled the Rwanda Asylum Plan unlawful, overturning a previous High Court judgment.

The Partygate report, published on June 15th, concluded that former PM Boris Johnson had “deliberately” misled Parliament, recommending a 90-day suspension, which would have been the longest ever proposed.

July Kemi Badenoch MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, signed a treaty for the UK to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for TransPacific Partnership (CPTPP), expected to add 0.08% to the UK’s economy over 10 years.

Three major parliamentary by-elections were held: The Lib Dems won Somerton and Frome from the Conservatives with a 29% swing.

Labour won Selby and Ainsty from the Conservatives with a 23.7% swing, marking the second-largest swing to Labour in a by-election since 1945.

The Conservatives narrowly held Uxbridge and South Ruislip with a significantly reduced majority, influenced by the campaign issue of the ULEZ expansion.

Susan Hall AM, a member of the London Assembly, was chosen as the Conservative candidate to run against Mayor Sadiq Khan in the upcoming London Mayoral election.

Notably, this election will be conducted under the first-past-the-post electoral system, a departure from the supplementary vote system used in previous Mayoral elections.

August

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak proposed legislation to mandate convicted criminals to attend sentencing hearings, with non-compliance leading to additional prison time. This was in response to high-profile cases where defendants refused to attend their sentencing or hear victim impact statements.

Nadine Dorries formally resigned on August 26th, following her initial announcement in June.

Greenpeace activists protested at Rishi Sunak’s house by draping 'oil-black fabric' over the property, criticizing the government’s plan to issue 100 new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea. Five activists were arrested, and the incident led to cross-party condemnation and DEFRA severing official ties with Greenpeace..

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP announced that Labour would not implement a 'wealth tax' if they won the next general election.

September Labour Party underwent a shadow cabinet reshuffle, promoting Angela Raynor MP to Shadow Levelling Up Secretary and Shadow Deputy Prime Minister.

The government faced the RAAC crisis, affecting schools across the country.

Two men were arrested under the Official Secrets Act, including one who worked as a researcher in the UK parliament.

The UK rejoined the Horizon Europe scheme, facilitating access to European scientific research funding for UK universities and labs.

The first Liberal Democrat Annual Conference since 2019 took place, with Leader Sir Ed Davey focusing on targeting Conservative 'Blue Wall' seats.

PM Rishi Sunak announced major changes to the UK's net zero strategy, including delays in banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and the phaseout of gas boilers.

Three major parliamentary by-elections were held, all won by Labour: Rutherglen and Hamilton West, prompted by the recall of SNP MP Margaret Ferrier, saw Labour achieve a 20.4% swing and a 9,446 majority.

In Mid-Bedfordshire, Labour's Alistair Strathern won with a 1,192 majority, a 20.5% swing in a traditionally Conservative seat.

Tamworth saw Labour’s Sarah Edwards win with a 23.9% swing, marking the second-largest swing from the Conservatives since 1945.

October

The Conservative Party Conference featured the controversial cancellation of the Birmingham to Manchester HS2 leg, criticized by both Labour politicians and some prominent Conservatives, including ex-Prime Ministers and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.

Labour's annual conference in Liverpool indicated increased business engagement, reflecting a shift towards the likelihood of a Labour government.

The escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza dominated UK politics, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer criticised within his party for not calling for a ceasefire.

November The Supreme Court ruled the government's Rwanda Plan unlawful.

PM Rishi Sunak undertook a major Cabinet reshuffle, sacking Suella Braverman, appointing James Cleverly as Homes Secretary, and bringing back ex-PM David Cameron as Foreign Secretary (and granting him a Lords membership).

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement included a National Insurance rate cut, an increase in the National Living Wage, and amendments to the Local Housing Allowance.

Critics highlighted the historic high tax burden under the current government.

Lee Rowley is reappointed as the housing minister, making him the 16th appointment in the role under the Conservative Government

December Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick MP resigned from the government, asserting that the Emergency Rwanda legislation was insufficient. Despite concerns of a government defeat, the legislation passed, albeit with several Conservative MPs abstaining.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced his first parliamentary defeat when Tory MPs supported an amendment

by Dame Diana Johnson concerning the infected blood scandal.

The results of the recall petition in Wellingborough was confirmed with Sir Peter Bone formally losing his seat. A by-election will take place in the new year. Additionally, Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South, faced a recommended 35-day suspension for a "very serious breach," potentially leading to another recall petition and by-election..

Mark Drakeford MS, the First Minister of Wales, announced his plan to resign in March 2024, after serving for five years.

This announcement allows time for his successor to be chosen.

Michael Gove MP published the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), promising to publicly identify councils that delay or block housing developments. He also suggested that local authorities could lose their planning powers in extreme cases.

What could happen in 2024?

Rishi Sunak's bill passed its second reading in December 2023 and is set to return to the House for the committee stage and third reading in 2024. There is anticipation of a tough battle ahead, as detractors will have more opportunities to vote against it.

While the government has until January 2025 to hold the election, signs increasingly point to it occurring in May 2024.

Earlier predictions favored an October election.

Two by-elections are expected in 2024, with current polling suggesting Labour victories. This scenario could add pressure on the government.

Labour has maintained a consistent lead in the polls throughout the year and is optimistic about the next General Election. They are now expected to provide more details on their headline policy announcements.