While his personal deficiencies certainly contributed to his downfall, don’t underestimate the dogged and persistent work by the Scottish Conservatives in exposing his government’s failures and holding him to account.
Our conference this weekend will highlight why in huge swathes of the country – the North East, the Highlands and Islands, almost all of the South of Scotland – it is to us, and not Labour, that voters are turning.
Otherwise, most scores are much the same as last month, with many of them down even from its woeful levels.
Only 17 members of the Cabinet are above a lowly ten points. Sunak falls to his lowest negative rating yet. Badenoch continues to lead the rankings.
Cleverly drops from first in the table to near bottom, Badenoch goes top, Mordaunt is second, Hunt is still in negative ratings…as, on his return to the table, is Cameron.
The Foreign Secretary has been a visible media and online presence since Hamas attacked Israel – and, like Ben Wallace during the Ukraine war, sees his place and rating rise.
Badenoch is top for the second month running, but scores are paltry almost all the way round, and in no way a springboard for the Manchester conference.
At just over 700 replies, the low response rate reflects not only the summer season but diminished expectations. This is a bleak return for the Government as Parliament resumes.
Also: Scottish Government’s legal regulation reforms denounced by judges and lawyers; Ross offers to work with Nationalist rebels to break Greens’ grip on government; new scandal for PSNI as High Court finds it illegally disciplined officers.
My explanation? The Uxbridge & South Ruislip by-election result – and the Prime Minister’s tilt from green politics to red – or rather blue – meat.
In the meantime, the Scottish Conservatives are gearing up to go on the offensive.
The last thing Anas Sarwar wants as he fights to win back central Scotland is fresh fuel for the Nationalists’ claim his party are red Tories.
It’s been a quieter political month with lots of publicity for the Government’s small boats plan. Ben Wallace continues his reign at the top of the ratings.
Sunak’s rating is still lamentable and Hunt remains in negative ratings, but Sturgeon’s fall and Zelensky’s visit made last month’s political background less unfavourable.
So does Raab. Our top three are unchanged – and Alister Jack’s rating is up slightly, taking him to sixth place.
While his personal deficiencies certainly contributed to his downfall, don’t underestimate the dogged and persistent work by the Scottish Conservatives in exposing his government’s failures and holding him to account.