<div><main data-testid="main-content" id="main-content"><article><header></header><div data-component="image-block"><figure><p><span><picture><source srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png.webp 240w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png.webp 320w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png.webp 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png.webp 624w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png.webp 800w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png.webp 976w" type="image/webp"></source><img alt="Rishi Sunak" height="549" loading="eager" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png 240w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png 320w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png 624w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png 800w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/B4D8/production/_132069264_laura_k_promo_sunak_cabinet_1-nc.png 976w" width="976"></img></picture></span><span role="text"><span>Image source, </span>PA Media</span></p></figure></div><div data-component="byline-block"><div><div><div><p>By Laura Kuenssberg</p><p>Presenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg</p></div></div></div></div><div data-component="text-block"><p><b><b>Detail matters. Decisions matter. </b></b></p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Rishi Sunak's every action as prime minister shapes public opinion about him in this crucial general election year, when you'll have your say on his performance.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>We'll explore this more in our interview with him on Sunday.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>But perhaps the biggest factor in his success or failure is much harder for him to get his hands around. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>There is a sense in every nook and cranny of Westminster that changing the mood is almost impossible, given how many things have gone wrong.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>A view that decline has taken hold is most definitely in fashion. That is what the polls and newspaper columns say - and so, privately, do many MPs.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>And with yet another Tory MP walking away - this time <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67895246">former minister Chris Skidmore</a> - it's almost as if Conservative MPs are carrying out their own painful slow motion general election by creating <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-67759402">by-election</a> after <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67145281">by-election</a> after <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66270349">by-election.</a> Losing heart, or leaving in disgrace. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>How then is Mr Sunak going to try to turn you back to his party?</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>This isn't going to be a year of big new plans or policies from Number 10, insiders say. That all happened last year - the next few months is about hoping they'll have the desired results. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>The obvious big exception is the plan to send migrants to Rwanda, which is still miles from happening, and faces more political and legal battles. </p></div><div data-component="image-block"><figure><p><span><span></span></span><span role="text"><span>Image source, </span>Getty Images</span></p><figcaption><span>Image caption, </span><p>Chris Skidmore, formerly in charge of the government's Net Zero agenda, is quitting as an MP over the decision to allow new oil and gas licences</p></figcaption></figure></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>But the 2024 election warmup plan will feature the prime minister on the road much more - three times a week I'm told - meeting as many voters as possible face to face, and telling the story of the progress he believes he is making. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>This is yet another change of approach. At the start there was stop-the-chaos reasonable Rishi, then the "<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66970426">real Rishi</a>", then "I'm the change Rishi", and there will now be "Rishi on the road". </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Mr Sunak's personal ratings got worse when the public began to see more of him after he entered Number 10 - so there is nothing obvious that suggests the public seeing even more of him will help. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>What will the message be? Conservative MPs gave me some helpful, and less helpful, suggestions:</p></div><div data-component="unordered-list-block"><div><div><ul role="list"><li>"Secure the recovery" or "securing the future" are some of the more sober ideas</li><li>"Things can only get better" - a reference to the New Labour anthem and an admission from one senior MP that the picture is less than rosy</li><li>"We're a bit crap but they'd be tons worse" - an idea from one MP that is both damning but loyal</li><li>"May the 2024th be with you", another idea from a former minister for the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51490893">Star Wars-loving PM</a></li><li>Or "Drink up!" - a joking suggestion from a cabinet minister that it is time for the Conservatives to go</li></ul></div></div></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>The message you will actually hear will be more and more pointed towards Sunak's Labour opponents.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>When we speak to Rishi Sunak on Sunday, I expect the slogan we will hear is "don't risk it" -  urging voters not to take a chance on the Labour Party.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>That's not exactly a revolutionary sentiment from a Conservative government trying to hang on to power. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>But given the public mood, and the number of big problems the government has to face, promising the earth might just not be credible.</p></div><p data-component="subheadline-block"><h2 id="Chiming-with-history" tabindex="-1"><span role="text">Chiming with history</span></h2></p><div data-component="text-block"><p>Conservatives are often unimpressed with Keir Starmer, and frequently grateful he is their opponent. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>He said this week there was a sense that politics just doesn't work anymore. That the country is "exhausted, tired, despairing" and that "nobody believes you can make a difference".</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>If you are, like me, a proud political anorak, that might have rung a bell. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Once upon a time there was another opposition leader, who had spent a few years in charge trying to shake up his party after it had been out of power for 13 years. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>This leader opened their party's manifesto with the following lines: ''People have lost faith that politics can fix our problems, or that politicians can lead us into a better future. There is a feeling of helplessness. Once again, there is a mood afoot that the decline of Britain is inevitable."</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>I doubt Keir Starmer would enjoy the comparison, but his words were remarkably similar to the start of David Cameron's 2010 Tory manifesto.</p></div><div data-component="unordered-list-block"><div><div><ul role="list"><li>On this week's show are Prime Minister <b>Rishi Sunak </b>and Labour's shadow education secretary <b>Bridget Phillipson</b></li><li>Watch live on BBC One and <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001bv01">iPlayer from 09:00 GMT on Sunday</a></li><li>Follow latest updates in text and video on the BBC News website from 08:00</li></ul></div></div></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>The core problem for then-PM Gordon Brown was that Labour, after changing prime minister, seemed exhausted after 13 years in charge. Out of ideas, and scarred by its own vendettas and personal battles. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>There had been a terrible emergency, the financial crash, and the government seemed ill-equipped to meet the challenges people faced.  </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>And there was an opposition leader who seemed a reasonable sort of chap to most members of the public, determined to make the most of that opportunity to offer the elusive "change". </p></div><p data-component="subheadline-block"><h2 id="Only-way-is-up" tabindex="-1"><span role="text">'Only way is up'</span></h2></p><div data-component="text-block"><p>Don't forget the inevitable but critically important caveats. Eleven months in politics is an absolute age. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>(If you fancy taking a punt, 14 November is not a bad bet for the general election as things stand. But do not, under any circumstances, hold me to that. So much could change. Rishi Sunak also absolutely <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67883242">did not rule out a spring election</a> this week.) </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Voters are volatile and you'd need your head read to make any solid predictions at this stage. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Back at our 2010 parallel - David Cameron failed to win outright. And Labour needs to overturn more seats than Lord Cameron to get the same result.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>And while Labour's lead in the polls is huge, for now, there are hordes of voters still undecided. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><div><p>But even Tory election chiefs are saying their <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/rishi-sunak-election-poll-labour-conservative-liberal-starmer-b1129892.html">path to victory is "steep and narrow". </a></p></div></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>As one final Conservative MP's slogan suggested: "The only way is up". </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>After the woes of 2023, the prime minister who wants to win a historic fifth term for his party will hope that proves to be true. </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p><b>What questions would you like to ask the prime minister this Sunday?</b></p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p><i><b>In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our </b></i><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/terms/">terms &amp; conditions</a><i><b> and </b></i><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/privacy-policy/">privacy policy</a>.</p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>Use this form to ask your question: </p></div><div data-component="text-block"><p>If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news">BBC website</a> to submit your question or send them via email to <a href="mailto:YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk">YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk</a>. Please include your name, age and location with any question you send in. </p></div></article></main></div>