Tory Peer Ken Clarke Pinpoints Why The Public Are So Exasperated With Politics Right Now

Tory peer Ken Clarke on BBC Question TimeA Tory peer tore into both Labour and Conservative governments on BBC Question Time last night over their lack of competence. The government has been consumed by a crisis entirely of their own making this week after No.10 briefed Wes Streeting was on manoeuvres to oust Keir Starmer – which the health secretary denied.Labour then caused further chaos overnight when reports revealed chancellor Rachel Reeves was no longer planning on raising income tax, a major change which she appeared to be preparing voters for only last week.So on BBC Question Time on Thursday, frustrated audience members asked what had happened to Labour’s “grown up” approach to government.One person compared the current backstabbing in cabinet to an episode of The Traitors while another said Labour chaos has left voters with their “heads in their hands”.Presenter Fiona Bruce asked Clarke if this felt comparable to the end of the Margaret Thatcher government in 1990.Clarke, who was an MP up until 2019 when he stood down, said this was “quite different” from that era.But, he warned that parties have to go back to showing “competence”, claiming there is a “deep crisis in our party political system.”He pointed out how the current discussion is dominated with conversations around personalities rather than policies, adding: “This is because people are so angry and disillusioned with politicians.“There’s never been a time when both the Conservative party and the Labour party have both performed so badly in government that they’re both so deeply unpopular and disliked.”He continued: “Both the Conservatives and the Labour party have got to concentrate on getting back to being serious parties of the centre-ground that convince people of their honesty and competence.“It will take some time but then we can get back to a sensible, political debate.“Both of them now are deeply unpopular, that’s why both of them are catching protest votes for Reform and other parties, most of which do not have enough serious people and enough serious ideas to govern a country.”He said it was time “the Labour party and the Conservative party stop trying to divert themselves by plotting against their leader.”“None of this will count by the next election,” he added, noting that world events will be dramatically different by that point in four years.“Both the Conservatives and the Labour party have got to concentrate on getting back to being serious parties of the centre-ground”Conservative Ken Clarke says voters are “disillusioned” and parties must show “competence” to return to a “sensible political debate” #bbcqtpic.twitter.com/2BDqt7ym1A— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) November 13, 2025Meanwhile, Reform UK MP Danny Kruger told the audience that there was a “philosophical vacuum” in the government with “no clear plan for change”.He insisted: “The reason why the government is falling apart is that he doesn’t actually believe in anything.”However, Labour minister Alex Davies-Jones hit back at that analysis “whole-heartedly”, noting “being in politics is about tough choices.”Related...Tory Tory Can't Answer Painfully Easy Question About Conservatives In Wales'You're Gaslighting Voters': Victoria Derbyshire Roasts Top Tory Over His Party's Record In OfficeRobert Jenrick Mocks Liz Truss In Brutal Tory Conference Jibe At Former Party Leader

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