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Former PM of UK Rishi Sunak - performance watch

cricketjoshila said:
Rishi is an upgrade over Crazy Johnson but is he a fit as a tory leader. Will the traditional conservative voter vote for a none white?

How does he compare with Stramer?
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He comes across as more professional and competent. Also he is relatively quiet and just gets on with the job. And from what I know he is genuinely a nice guy. Starmer on the other hand is a two faced vile opportunist. I will not be voting labour this time unless its to stop a racist tory candidate.
 
Robert said:
Some won't, and that's why the nationalist / nativist / populist hard right Reform UK are taking their support. Some members said they voted for Truss "because she is white" and you here others saying "Sunak is not English" despite him being born here.
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In that case there is little to no chance of him leading the Tories to a win. Ever

I understand where the nativist are coming from.

How do you see Sunak in comparison to Stramer?
 
James said:
Polarisation has been so utterly exhausting. With Starmer’s centrist sensibilities, we could be about to enter a period of mundanely moderate politics last seen in the 2010 election with Brown / DC / Clegg where the three parties were all basically the same.
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Might be less exhausting, but is it practically any better than polarisation? Economic trends are negative, just returning back to mundane centrist status quo politics I will find even more exhausting.

Besides, when parties are basically the same, in this day and age one would leverage identity politics to win an election and make you seem different to the other guy, as we see in America. Wouldn't that cause polarisation in it's own right?
 
DeadlyVenom said:
The ERG and these types of politicians will fade away and the public will embrace a pro European stance under Starmer.

I have a feeling that a dark cloud will be lifted from us once this bunch of torys go.

Did you see Rishi speaking about Northern Ireland. He said they were in a brilliant position of being able to access the Single Market and remain part of the UK and it was attractive to investors.

We were all in this brilliant position a few yeaes ago :))
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Perhaps sensible pragmatic politics is returning after the Corbyn and Johnson lunatic years.

The ERG crazies may be running out of road. More Brexit voting pensioners are dying every day, to be replaced by youngsters who grew up playing football in the park with the Lithuanian kids or whose elder sibling dated a Pole. Still more Leave voters have decided that they were sold a pup.

On the other hand there seems to be a move to reinstate Johnson. In this age of reality TV and talent shows and the BBC giving airtime to people like the boss of Weatherspoons, I can see Funny Boris rehabilitating himself and the populist nightmare continuing.
 
Firebat said:
Might be less exhausting, but is it practically any better than polarisation? Economic trends are negative, just returning back to mundane centrist status quo politics I will find even more exhausting.

Besides, when parties are basically the same, in this day and age one would leverage identity politics to win an election and make you seem different to the other guy, as we see in America. Wouldn't that cause polarisation in its own right?
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I think only a broad plan of renationalising utilities and transport can start to fix this country’s ills. We’ve had 44 years of neoliberalism (either Tory full fat or Blair/Brown/Coalition lite) and now almost American levels of inequality. Only under Blair did the gap between haves and have-nots close, and our NHS was the best system in Europe according to a variety of KPIs.
 
Robert said:
I think only a broad plan of renationalising utilities and transport can start to fix this country’s ills. We’ve had 44 years of neoliberalism (either Tory full fat or Blair/Brown/Coalition lite) and now almost American levels of inequality. Only under Blair did the gap between haves and have-nots close, and our NHS was the best system in Europe according to a variety of KPIs.
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Actually one of the best in the world. It can still be but you have to double down. Fund it properly and watch it move. Tons of my friends work in the NHS and work hard. This govt is a disgrace to them.
 
the Great Khan said:
Actually one of the best in the world. It can still be but you have to double down. Fund it properly and watch it move. Tons of my friends work in the NHS and work hard. This govt is a disgrace to them.
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Agree 100%
 
I think only a broad plan of renationalising utilities and transport can start to fix this country’s ills. We’ve had 44 years of neoliberalism (either Tory full fat or Blair/Brown/Coalition lite) and now almost American levels of inequality. Only under Blair did the gap between haves and have-nots close, and our NHS was the best system in Europe according to a variety of KPIs.
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I am just quoting this comment to highlight some of the hypocrisy and delusion of grandeur among Liberals.

Corbyn was the first to champion nationalisation of energy and transport in the UK, yet these radical liberals shot him down, and bartered their fascist ideology with a corrupt Tory PM who also sympathises with the IRA too (domestic terrorism)

Oh that's right, how could I forget, Corbyn was pretty much a pacifist and didn't support incessant and illegal bombings of other nations, and was accused of being an anti-semite, that's why he was shot down by the liberal fascists.
 
Contrary to what one sometimes will hear, when the Tories win a General Election it usually isn’t because of some right wing reactionary revolution at the ballot box; it’s more that they have been able to quietly attract the “moderate” voter, which beefs up their traditional conservative heartland vote and helps them to edge out Labour in swing seats.

Conversely at the moment it feels like a large proportion of the left vote and a large majority of that “moderate” centrist/centre-right vote is now wedded to Starmer, and therefore all Rishi has remaining in his locker when looking to change the momentum in the weekly polling stakes is trying to appeal to the further/far right and win back the old school Tories — including those who defected to the likes of Reform and the BNP many years ago, and the dormant Thatcherites and Ukippers (etc).
 
Starmer is an establishment man.

The British right wing media have accepted him to a certain extent and the 'permanent state' knows he will be PM in a couple of years.

I doubt we would have had a foreign office sponsored trip to Ukraine that involved Jeremy Corbyn or Ed Milliband when they were leader of the opposition.

'They' know he is their guy.

I dont think Rishi can do anything to stop the inevitable.
 
People have short term memories.

This is a game of austerity vs prosperity.

If by some miracle, the Tories manage to turn around the economy by next GE, Tories will win.

It was prosperity that kept the Tories in power during the 80s.

It was austerity that ushered in Labour in 97.

It was prosperity that kept Labour in power for 13 years.

It was austerity that ushered in the Tories in 2010 with the LDs.

It was austerity that lead to a slim majority for Tories in 2015.

It is austerity that has caused havok since.

People don't care who is in power when they have money in their pockets and food in their bellies, but they do care when they don't.
 
Rishi Sunak's tax details have been released, showing that he paid £432,493 in tax in 2021/22.

Much of the tax was paid on his capital gains earnings, which were more than £1.6m in that tax year.

The prime minister paid £325,826 in capital gains tax and £120,604 in UK income tax on income of £329,561.

There was speculation that Mr Sunak's tax return could be controversial given that it was scheduled to be released at 4pm while the privileges committee investigation into whether Boris Johnson misled MPs over partygate was in full swing.

Mr Sunak came under pressure to publish his tax return after his financial affairs came under the spotlight during his failed leadership campaign against Liz Truss.

It was revealed that his wife, Akshata Murthy, had claimed non-dom status - allowing her to avoid UK tax on her vast foreign income, derived from her father's Indian firm, Infosys.

Following a significant backlash, Murthy then renounced her non-dom status and said she would pay UK tax on all her worldwide wealth to stop the issue from acting as a "distraction for her husband".

SKY
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is a shocking waste of taxpayer’s money at a time when most people are struggling to pay their bills or put food on the table.<br> <br>Yet again this Conservative government is completely out of touch. <a href="https://t.co/3BvtyLdhj8">pic.twitter.com/3BvtyLdhj8</a></p>— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/LibDems/status/1641751923849035776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is being investigated by Parliament's standards watchdog over a possible failure to declare an interest.

Mr Sunak is being investigated over whether a declaration of interest was "open and frank", under rules set out by the commissioner for standards.

The BBC understands the probe relates to a childcare firm his wife has shares in.

The commissioner decides whether an MP has broken rules after an inquiry.
 
The business was co-founded by his father-in-law but the PM has never spoken of his interest in the company, previously saying it was a matter only for his wife Akshata Murty, and of “no legitimate public interest”.

It has since come to light that the IT giant has been involved in £172 million worth of public sector contracts, and now pressure is mounting on PM Sunak to answer questions on how the partnerships came about.

Here’s everything we know:

What is Infosys?

Infosys is an IT company that specialises in consulting and IT services. Their website claims the company is a “a global leader in consulting, outsourcing. and next-gen services, enabling clients to create and execute digital transformation” and it was named as one of the top 150 IT companies in the world last year.

Who owns Infosys?

Under information released publicly by the firm, their latest annual reports show that the company was founded by Rishi Sunak’s father-in-law.

Rishi’s wife, Akshata Murty, is reported on the findings as having a 0.93 per cent interest in the business, amounting to 38.9 million shares, which is estimated to be worth around £89m. The report shows that dividends paid to her amount to around £12 million each year, but until recently she was not liable for UK tax on account of her non-dom status.

What is the Government’s link with Infosys?

It has this week come to light from Contracts Finder, the Government’s own database of public sector tenders and contracts, that the business has been involved in public-sector contracts worth £172 million.

Information published on the fact-giving site states that the IT company has signed contracts with the UK Government to provide a range of services to a number of government clients.

In December 2022, when the most recent contract was awarded, the firm was tasked with providing £1,760,500 worth of “consulting, software development, internet and support” to Transport for London.

Infosys was first Government-linked in 2015, when it signed up to £98 million-worth of government-related contracts, including two with the Home Office for £10.8 million.

The company has also signed six contracts in its time with the Care Quality Commission, worth a whopping £20.3 million, plus a contract with Westminster Council for £10 million and a £5.35 million contract with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

The IT giant has also undertaken work for a number of local authorities, including the London Borough of Merton for £500,000 and East Sussex County Council for £25 million.

Has Rishi Sunak’s department dealt with Infosys?

There have been no contracts reported between Infosys, the Treasury, or the Cabinet Office on Contracts Finder, and although there is no suggestion of wrongdoing in relation to the awarding of any of the contracts, questions are being raised as to why Rishi Sunak has remained tight-lipped about the dealings.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/ukne...p&cvid=b2ec82fb195d4412b34635030edb3af1&ei=22
 
This now looks like a deliberate smear campaign.

Infosys is a listed company in India. It has no obligation to disclose any of its contracts to the Murthys or to Sunak.

The Murthys hold no posts in Infy and hence cannot find out which contracts they have.

Infy has a revenue of 20bn usd. Its laughable to suggest that people currently not associated with know the details of each deal.
 
cricketjoshila said:
This now looks like a deliberate smear campaign.

Infosys is a listed company in India. It has no obligation to disclose any of its contracts to the Murthys or to Sunak.

The Murthys hold no posts in Infy and hence cannot find out which contracts they have.

Infy has a revenue of 20bn usd. Its laughable to suggest that people currently not associated with know the details of each deal.
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There's no suggestion that Infosys should be disclosing the details of all its contracts, just that Sunak should be open and transparent in any role he has that potentially allows him to influence contracts being awarded to Infosys given it's clearly a conflict of interest due to the likelihood of personal benefit that he'll see from it.
 
HitWicket said:
There's no suggestion that Infosys should be disclosing the details of all its contracts, just that Sunak should be open and transparent in any role he has that potentially allows him to influence contracts being awarded to Infosys given it's clearly a conflict of interest due to the likelihood of personal benefit that he'll see from it.
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How will Sunak know which contracts Infy is being awarded and where?

As the PM of UK, he has widespread influence.
 
cricketjoshila said:
How will Sunak know which contracts Infy is being awarded and where?

As the PM of UK, he has widespread influence.
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He's not expected to know the details of every government contract that gets awarded, but given he's just been caught failing to declare his wife being a shareholder of a company that benefits from his own governments announced policy, questions can and should still be asked regarding whether he has done the same with any other companies he (or friends, family or donors) would benefit from (as many others in the party he runs have done).
 
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HitWicket said:
He's not expected to know the details of every government contract that gets awarded, but given he's just been caught failing to declare his wife being a shareholder of a company that benefits from his own governments announced policy, questions can and should still be asked regarding whether he has done the same with any other companies he (or friends, family or donors) would benefit from (as many others in the party he runs have done).
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Infy got awarded a contract of some 2mn pounds after Sunak became PM. Infy has posted annual revenue of close to 20bn usd. Big difference that contract makes.

Every one knows his wife owns less than 1 percent in Infy. Its common knowledge.

I don't know about others, but this is ridiculous. Sunak isn't responsible for businesses in India or his father in laws business dealings.

Unless and until there is evidence that Sunak intervened to have contracts awarded to Infy. This is just a smear campaign.
 
cricketjoshila said:
Infy got awarded a contract of some 2mn pounds after Sunak became PM. Infy has posted annual revenue of close to 20bn usd. Big difference that contract makes.

Every one knows his wife owns less than 1 percent in Infy. Its common knowledge.

I don't know about others, but this is ridiculous. Sunak isn't responsible for businesses in India or his father in laws business dealings.

Unless and until there is evidence that Sunak intervened to have contracts awarded to Infy. This is just a smear campaign.
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Again, he's already under investigation because he failed to declare his wife was a shareholder in a company that will be a significant benefactor of a policy his government have introduced (and explicitly lied about it in parliament). He runs a party where this kind of corruption has been rife recently. Naturally his other potential conflicts of interests are going to be questioned on the basis of that.
 
Local elections 2023: Tory losses a clear rejection of Rishi Sunak, says Labour

Heavy Conservative local election losses represent a "clear rejection" of Rishi Sunak in his first electoral test as prime minister, Labour has said.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer claimed his party was on course to win the next general election, expected next year.

The Tories lost 48 councils and more than 1,000 councillors across England in Thursday's polls, exceeding their worst predictions.

Many Tories were angry at the scale of the losses, with some blaming Mr Sunak.

Labour says it is now the largest party in local government, surpassing the Tories for the first time since 2002.

"The British public has sent a clear rejection of a prime minister who never had a mandate to begin with," a Labour spokesperson said.

The Liberal Democrats had what their leader Sir Ed Davey said was their "best result in decades", taking control of 12 councils, mostly in Tory heartlands. The party gained 405 new councillors, compared with Labour's 536 gains.

The Green Party gained 241 seats - their best-ever result in local elections - and gained its first majority on an English council, in Mid-Suffolk, although they were overtaken as the biggest party by Labour in Brighton and Hove.

Mr Sunak admitted the results were "disappointing", but said he did not detect "a massive groundswell of movement towards the Labour Party or excitement for its agenda".

Sir Keir claimed the "fantastic" results showed his party was well placed to oust the Tories from government in a general election, expected next year.

"Make no mistake, we are on course for a Labour majority at the next general election," he told cheering activists in Medway in Kent, one of the councils his party has wrested from the Tories.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65503082
 
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces a third by-election test after a close ally of Boris Johnson resigned from the Commons with “immediate effect”.

In a tumultuous 24 hours for the Conservative Party, Nigel Adams MP announced on Saturday that he was following the former prime minister and former culture secretary Nadine Dorries’ lead in quitting Westminster.

In a tweet, Mr Adams said: “Yesterday, Selby Conservatives selected an excellent new parliamentary candidate.

“I’ve today informed the chief whip that I will be standing down as a Member of Parliament with immediate effect.

“It has been an honour to represent the area where I was raised (and) educated.”

Mr Adams and Ms Dorries had been tipped for peerages in Mr Johnson’s resignation honours but neither featured in Friday’s published list.

There has been speculation that Downing Street wanted their names removed to avoid by-election contests, although No 10 said Mr Sunak had no involvement in producing the final list.

The Prime Minister has yet to comment on Mr Johnson’s departure.

While the Tories enjoy a comfortable 20,000 majority in Selby and Ainsty, Mr Adams’ decision to exit immediately rather than wait until the next election means the Tories will face contests on three fronts.

Mr Johnson sensationally quit Westminster on Friday as he launched a fierce attack on the Commons Privileges Committee investigation into whether he misled MPs with his assurances over parties held in Downing Street during coronavirus lockdowns.

In a 1,000-word statement, he said the seven-person panel, which is chaired by veteran Labour MP Harriet Harman but has a Conservative majority, was on a “witch hunt” and compared it with a “kangaroo court”.

Mr Johnson said he was “bewildered and appalled” at being “forced out, anti-democratically” by a probe that he claimed had set out from the beginning to “find me guilty, regardless of the facts”.

He denied lying to MPs and said he “corrected the record as soon as possible” after receiving information about lockdown gatherings in No 10.

The former Tory leader’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat, where he had a 7,000 majority, was in Labour’s top 100 targets at the next election even before Mr Johnson’s resignation.

Labour wasted no time in targeting the seat, with the party’s campaign co-ordinator Shabana Mahmood and a host of other MPs joining activists and candidate Danny Beales in Uxbridge on Saturday.

The Liberal Democrats have briefed that they could potentially pull off an upset in Ms Dorries’ former Mid Bedfordshire constituency.

Metro
 
Rishi Sunak Breached Parliament's Code Of Conduct Inadvertently:

Parliament's Commissioner for Standards began investigating Rishi Sunak in April, after opposition parties raised questions over media reports Sunak's wife Akshata Murthy was a shareholder in a company set to benefit from support for the childcare sector.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not properly declare his wife's shareholding in a childcare company which stood to benefit from new government policy but the failure was inadvertent, parliament's standards watchdog said on Wednesday.
Parliament's Commissioner for Standards began investigating Sunak in April, after opposition parties raised questions over media reports Sunak's wife Akshata Murthy was a shareholder in a company set to benefit from support for the childcare sector.

The commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, is responsible for the House of Commons code of conduct and investigates any alleged breaches.

Publishing the conclusions of his investigation, Greenberg said Sunak should have declared the shareholding when being questioned on the policy by a committee of senior lawmakers but that he was satisfied the British leader had confused the rules on registering and declaring interests.

"Having considered the information available to me, I have decided that the breach of the code appears to have been inadvertent," Greenberg said. "I confirm that the matter is now closed."

Greenberg, who can refer lawmakers who breach the rules to a committee which has the power to suspend or expel them from parliament, said he had instead decided to conclude the inquiry via a rectification procedure.

Rectification procedures can include offering advice to the lawmaker, requiring them to apologise or to correct the register of members' financial interests.

In a letter to Greenberg, published by the commissioner's office, Sunak apologised for confusing the language of registration and declaration.

"I am pleased that this matter will now be concluded by way of rectification," Sunak added.

NDTV
 
Britain has no plans to change its approach to reducing net migration in order to help secure a free trade deal with India, the spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday.

There is growing optimism that a free trade deal between the countries could be concluded this year, as both sides agree on the broad contours of the pact, though the remaining topics to be discussed are some of the difficult.

Rishi Sunak, who heads to India for a G20 summit this weekend, told his ministers this week that negotiations were progressing but that he would only agree an approach that worked for the whole of Britain.
 
Rishi Sunak’s key immigration policy has been dealt a blow after the UK’s highest court rejected the government’s plans to deport people seeking asylum to Rwanda.

Five judges at the supreme court upheld an appeal court ruling on Wednesday, which found that there was a real risk of deported refugees having their claims in the east African country wrongly assessed or being returned to their country of origin to face persecution.

The ruling undermines one of the prime minister’s key pledges – to “stop the boats”. The government claimed that the Rwandan scheme would be a key deterrent for growing numbers of asylum seekers reaching the UK via small boats travelling across the Channel – a claim that has been rejected by refugee charities.

The ruling come the day after the sacked home secretary, Suella Braverman, released an incendiary letter accusing the prime minister of breaking an agreement to insert clauses into UK law that would have “blocked off” legal challenges under the European convention on human rights (ECHR) and the Human Rights Act.

Braverman said Sunak had no “credible plan B” and warned: “If we lose in the supreme court, an outcome that I have consistently argued we must be prepared for, you will have wasted a year and an act of parliament, only to arrive back at square one.”

A meeting of hard-right Conservative MPs will be held in parliament to consider the judgment on Wednesday at 10.30am. The meeting is expected to back calls to leave the ECHR.

Sir John Hayes, a close ally of Braverman, said on Tuesday that in the event of losing, ministers should table a narrow piece of legislation to enact the Rwanda plan before Christmas, and later include withdrawing from the ECHR in the Tory election manifesto.

Source: The Guardian

www.theguardian.com

Supreme court rejects Rishi Sunak’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda

Judges uphold appeal court ruling over risk to deported refugees and deals blow to PM’s ‘stop the boats’ strategy
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
Rishi should not forget, before taking any action, that he is not an elected prime minister. He is not the choice of the people.
 
The Rishi Sunak Covid inquiry is ongoing, a summary so far is:

Rishi Sunak defends the Eat Out to Help Out scheme that he introduced in August 2020 as chancellor

Sunak tells the Covid inquiry it was designed to save jobs, and took place after the "safe reopening" of pubs and restaurants

He also says the policy was proposed a month before it began - and so could have been challenged by advisers

The inquiry earlier heard that some advisers were not consulted, with some later questioning the wisdom of the policy

Sunak also says he did not back a national "circuit breaker" in September 2020, and thought a regional system was a better idea

Earlier, Rishi Sunak defended Boris Johnson's decision making during the Covid pandemic in March 2020
The prime minister began by saying he was "deeply sorry" to those who lost loved ones and to "all those who suffered"

Source: BBC
 
UK’s Sunak wins parliament vote on deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s emergency bill to revive his plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda has avoided defeat in parliament, surviving a rebellion by dozens of his own MPs that laid bare his party’s deep divisions.

Sunak, who has pinned his reputation on the strategy despite warnings at every stage that it would not work, won the first vote on the plan in the House of Commons 313 to 269 on Tuesday after last ditch negotiations and drama in parliament.

Despite the victory, the result showed the prime minister is struggling to maintain control over his party.

Moderate Conservatives said they will not support the draft law if it means Britain will breach its human rights obligations, and right-wing politicians said it does not go far enough.

Sunak’s fractured Conservatives have lost much of their discipline and, after being in power for 13 years, are trailing the opposition Labour Party by about 20 points with an election expected next year.

“We have decided collectively that we cannot support the bill tonight because of its many omissions,” Mark Francois said, speaking on behalf of some right-wing Conservative lawmakers. They said they would abstain rather than support Sunak.

All Conservative lawmakers had been ordered by those in charge of party management to back the bill, and the abstentions were a foretaste of likely further rebellions at the next stages of the parliamentary process.



www.aljazeera.com

UK’s Sunak wins parliament vote on deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda

Sunak faces down Conservative rebels by winning knife-edge vote on latest plans to send refugees and migrants to Rwanda.
www.aljazeera.com www.aljazeera.com
 
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Saturday that he would push for global reforms to the asylum system and warned the threat of growing number of refugees could "overwhelm" parts of Europe.

In a speech in Italy, Sunak made some of his strongest criticisms of the global asylum system as he tries to revive his government's plans to send refugees to live in Rwanda.

Sunak made the comments at a political festival organised by the party of his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, where he warned that some "enemies" were deliberately "driving people to our shores to try and destabilise our societies".

"If we do not tackle this problem, the numbers will only grow. It will overwhelm our countries and our capacity to help those who actually need our help the most," Sunak said.

"If that requires us to update our laws and lead an international conversation to amend the post-war frameworks around asylum, then we must do that."

Britain's former Home Secretary Suella Braverman earlier this year called for changes to United Nations Refugee Convention that obliges all signatories to grant asylum to people fleeing persecution.

The provision has been one of the biggest legal barriers to the British government's efforts to stop small boat crossings and to send would-be asylum-seekers to Rwanda for processing.

Britain and Italy announced plans on Saturday to jointly co-finance the journey home for migrants stranded in Tunisia, according to statements from both countries, but did not say how much would money was being provided.

Last month, Italy agreed with Albania to build sea migrant reception centres in Albania to host migrants trying to come ashore in an effort to try to bring down numbers that have nearly doubled in the past year.

A few days ago, Sunak survived a major threat to his leadership on Tuesday when he won a vote in parliament on an emergency bill to revive his plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, seeing off a rebellion from some of his lawmakers.

Source: Reuters

 

Sunak under fire for ‘inexplicable’ failure to appoint new climate committee chief​

Experts say prolonged delay in replacing chair signals that government does not take net zero policy seriously enough and is harming investment

Rishi Sunak has come under fierce attack from UK climate experts for the Conservative government’s failure over the past 18 months to appoint a new chair of the independent committee that advises ministers on emissions targets.

In a letter to the prime minister leaked to the Observer, the UK’s leading organisation working on the economic effects of global warming condemned the “excessive delay” in finding a replacement to the previous chair, Lord Deben.

Bob Ward, the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change’s head of policy, warned Sunak that the delay is harming efforts to control carbon emissions and damaging the UK’s reputation as a climate change leader.

“Given that the recruitment of the new chair began 18 months ago it is inexplicable that the appointment has still not been announced,” wrote Ward. The work of the committee is at a “critical stage”, he added. “It is not helpful that it does not yet have a new chair as it carries out this work.”

Source : The Guardian
 
Britain’s Sunak, in Kyiv, announces increase in military aid

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited wartime Kyiv on Friday to sign a new security agreement and announce an increase in military funding for Ukraine to buy drones, including surveillance, long-range strike and sea drones.

Britain, one of Ukraine’s closest allies during the Russian invasion, will increase its support in the next financial year to 2.5 billion pounds ($3.19 billion), an increase of 200 million pounds on the previous two years, Sunak said.

“Our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor resources for long wars. So waver now, and we embolden not just Putin, but his allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere,” Sunak told a press conference.

His trip comes at an important juncture for Kyiv in the nearly two-year-old war as political infighting in the United States and European Union has held up two major packages of assistance.

Kyiv has relied heavily on military and financial aid from the West since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelensky told the press conference he felt vital US financial assistance would materialize and that he felt more positive now than last month.

The two leaders signed what Zelensky described as an “unprecedented security agreement” — an arrangement the Ukrainian leader said would remain in place until Kyiv joined the NATO military alliance.



 
King Charles cancer diagnosis: Rishi Sunak wishes monarch 'full and speedy recovery'

Rishi Sunak has wished the King a "speedy recovery" after Buckingham Palace announced he was diagnosed with a form of cancer.

The prime minister led global well-wishes to the King, posting on X: "Wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery.

"I have no doubt he'll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well."

news.sky.com

King Charles cancer diagnosis: Rishi Sunak wishes monarch 'full and speedy recovery'

Former prime ministers Liz Truss, Boris Johnson and Sir Tony Blair posted similar messages as Buckingham Palace says the King has begun treatment.
news.sky.com news.sky.com
 
Rishi Sunak has accused Sir Keir Starmer of demonstrating "the worst of politics" for "using the tragedy" of Brianna Ghey in a House of Commons row.

Sir Keir criticised the PM on Wednesday for making a joke about his "definition of a woman" on the day Brianna's mother was visiting Parliament.

The father of the murdered teen called on Mr Sunak to apologise.

But the PM has declined to do so - and instead accused the Labour leader of being "sad and wrong".

He said his words to Sir Keir at Prime Minister's Questions had been "absolutely legitimate".

"I've nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy for [Brianna Ghey's] entire family and friends.

"But to use that tragedy to detract from the very separate and clear point I was making about Keir Starmer's proven track record of multiple U-turns on major policies, because he doesn't have a plan, I think is both sad and wrong, and it demonstrates the worst of politics."

The exchange that triggered the row took place in the House of Commons as Mr Sunak listed what he described as a number of Labour U-turns, accusing Sir Keir of changing his position on "defining a woman".

"Although in fairness, that was only 99% of a U-turn," he added.

Sir Keir replied: "Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna's mother is in this chamber. Shame.

"Parading as a man of integrity when he's got absolutely no responsibility."

Brianna's mother Esther was not in the public gallery for the exchange between the two leaders at Prime Minister's Questions but arrived shortly afterwards.

Brianna's former headteacher Emma Mills had been with Esther Ghey during her visit to Parliament.

She told BBC Breakfast: "We came in late into the gallery and missed what was said, and I don't think she's really had time to look at the context and what exactly was said, and she wants a little bit of time to be able to do that today."

Asked about the comments on Thursday, leader of the House Penny Mordaunt said Mr Sunak was a "good and caring man" adding: "I'm sure that he has reflected on things.

"And that is not just about Mr and Mrs Ghey, that he should reflect on, but I am sure he is also reflecting about people who are trans or who have trans loved ones and family, some of whom sit on these green benches.

"I hope the leader of the Opposition will also reflect on his actions too.

"This government has been right to protect the safety and dignity of woman at each stage of doing so has sought to bring certainty and assurance to trans people.

"This government is also right to hold the opposition to account for its multiple inconsistencies and u-turns on its policy platform."

Source: BBC

www.bbc.co.uk

Rishi Sunak says Keir Starmer sad and wrong to link trans jibe to Brianna Ghey case

Rishi Sunak declines to apologise to Brianna Ghey's family for joke about Labour's transgender stance.
www.bbc.co.uk
 
Rishi Sunak has promised to reward hard work with tax cuts as he struck an optimistic note over the UK's economic prospects.

Official figures next week may show the UK slipped into a technical recession at the end of last year, while the prime minister is facing a heavy opinion poll deficit against Labour and criticism from within his own party.

But in an interview with The Times this weekend, Mr Sunak told Tory rebels he was "totally up for the fight" as he looked to paint a rosier picture of the country's economic future.

"Because economic conditions have improved, because the plan is working, you are starting to see mortgage rates come down and we have been able to cut taxes," he said.

"I do believe those pressures are starting to ease and that hopefully over the course of this year we can continue to make even more progress."

But although he said "there is a sense that the country is pointing in the right direction," he struck a cautious note, saying that taxes would only be slashed "when it is responsible to do so".

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a 2% cut - from 12% to 10% - in national insurance in November.

Many economists said his autumn statement had factored in implausible public spending squeezes, while the International Monetary Fund said further tax cuts in his 6 March budget could put at risk the government's ability to invest in the NHS and other vital services.

Mr Sunak appeared to echo his chancellor, who has already sought to temper expectations over the size of any tax cuts in his spring budget, despite senior Tories publicly indicating they are coming.

"None of us ever talk about this stuff before budgets," he said.

"Other people are. I think they're over-interpreting. What the chancellor and I have said is that of course our long-term plan is to cut people's taxes."

The prime minister hinted the spring budget could see a further national insurance cut - telling the paper he and his party believe "hard work should be rewarded", adding: "Cutting national insurance is a very direct way to do that."

Labour's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, said: "Rishi Sunak's words will ring hollow to the millions of families across Britain who have been left worse off after 14 years of Conservative failure.

"There have been 25 Tory tax rises since the election and the average household is set to be £1,200 worse off under Rishi Sunak's tax plan.

"It's time for a change and a Labour government with a plan to invest in Britain's future."

His promise to slash taxes came after the publication of his own tax summary, which showed he paid more than £500,000 in UK tax last year, as his total income rose to £2.2m.

The document showed he paid an overall tax rate of about 23% of his annual income - about the same as a teacher - sparking calls for tax reform.

Source: Sky News

news.sky.com

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promises to reward hard work with tax cuts

Mr Sunak has sought to paint a rosier economic picture as he faces a heavy poll deficit against Labour and criticism from Tory rebels.
news.sky.com news.sky.com
 
UK Conservatives say their biggest donor made racist comments, but they’re not giving back his money

Britain’s Conservative government said Wednesday that the party does not plan to give back 10 million pounds ($12.8 million) it received in the past year from a donor who made comments about a Black lawmaker that have been condemned as racist.

The government is under pressure from some of its own lawmakers to return the donation from IT entrepreneur Frank Hester, who said during a 2019 company meeting that Diane Abbott, Britain’s longest-serving Black legislator, made him “want to hate all Black women” and that she “should be shot.”

Hester, chief executive of healthcare software firm The Phoenix Partnership, was the Conservative Party’s biggest donor in 2023. His company has been paid more than 400 million pounds ($510 million) by the National Health Service and other government bodies since 2016, according to The Guardian, which broke the story of Hester’s comments.

Hester acknowledged that he had been “rude about Diane Abbott” but denied being racist. In a statement on social media, he said racism “is a poison that has no place in public life.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak initially criticized Hester’s comments — first reported Monday — as “unacceptable,” but it was almost 24 hours before the prime minister’s spokesman labeled the remarks racist. The shift came after Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch, who is Black, broke ranks and decried Hester’s racism.

Sunak told lawmakers in the House of Commons on Wednesday that “the alleged comments were wrong, they were racist.” He added that Hester had “rightly apologized for them, and that remorse should be accepted.”

Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake told broadcasters that the Tories would not give back the money Hester had given to the party. He told Sky News that “clearly” the comments were racist, but that it was right to keep the donation because Hester “is not a racist, and he has apologized for what he said.”

Asked by the BBC whether the party would take more money from Hester, Hollinrake said: “As I now understand the situation, yes.”

But Andy Street, the Conservative mayor of England’s West Midlands region, told BBC radio that if it were up to him, “I would think about the company I kept and I would give that money back.”

Nus Ghani, a senior Conservative lawmaker and junior business minister, said on social media: “Zero tolerance on racism is just a slogan in today’s politics.”

Opposition politicians lambasted Sunak over Hester’s remarks during Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament Wednesday.

“Is the prime minister proud to be bankrolled by someone using racist and misogynist language?” asked Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.

Scottish National Party lawmaker Stephen Flynn accused Sunak of “putting money before morals.”

Sunak defended taking money from Hester, saying “ultimately he has been donating to the most diverse Cabinet in history, led by the first non-white prime minister.”

Britain’s political parties are trying to build up funds for election campaigns later this year. Figures from the Electoral Commission show the Conservatives received 9.8 million pounds ($12.5 million) from individual and corporate donors in the final three months of 2023, and the main opposition Labour Party 6 million pounds ($7.7 million).

Hester and his company gave the Conservatives 10 million pounds in 2023, the Electoral Commission said. The party received a donation of the same size as a bequest from the late supermarket tycoon John Sainsbury, who died in 2022.

Parliamentary records show Hester’s firm also loaned Sunak a helicopter to use for a trip in December, at a value of 15,900 pounds ($20,000).

The controversy does not immediately threaten Phoenix Partnership’s contracts to supply medical-records software to the state-run national Health Service. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph last month, Hester denied his Conservative donations were linked to his firm’s securing of government contracts.

He said many of the deals were with individual hospitals and doctors’ offices and the national government had no say over them.

He said family doctors “decide which software they’re using, not Rishi Sunak.”

The Guardian published further alleged remarks by Hester on Wednesday. It said he’d told a crowded staff meeting that Indian employees could sit on the roof of a nearby train if there wasn’t enough room.

Abbott, 70, was elected to the House of Commons in 1987 representing an area of east London, becoming Britain’s first Black woman member of Parliament. She sits as an independent after being kicked out of the Labour Party caucus last year for comments that suggested Jewish and Irish people do not experience racism “all their lives.”

She called Hester’s comments “frightening,” especially since two British lawmakers have been murdered since 2016. The government said last month it would step up politicians’ security because of rising tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.

Police in London said they were assessing the matter after their parliamentary liaison and investigation team was contacted about the Guardian’s initial report.

SOURCE: AP NEWS
 

Rishi Sunak: Very small minority of MPs plotting against me​

Rishi Sunak hit out at a “very small minority” of Tories trying to destabilise him as a senior minister talked down the prospect of Penny Mordaunt ever becoming leader.

The prime minister urged colleagues to unite in a private end-of-term meeting with Tory MPs on Wednesday, which those present described as a “call to arms”.

However, he acknowledged the difficult weeks he has had, with jostling among potential future leadership contenders, the Conservatives still polling poorly and a difficult set of local elections on the horizon.

Sunak suggested that the “very small minority” of Conservatives agitating against him were not just harming his position, but that of all MPs.

t.co

Rishi Sunak: Very small minority of MPs plotting against me

PM urges Conservative MPs to unite before May 2 local elections as minister pours cold water on Penny Mordaunt’s leadership chances
t.co t.co
 
Rishi's time is up, but it's strange that the UK is not getting a persistent prime minister.
 
Rishi Sunak has warned against "messing with" the national flags after Nike changed the colour of the St George's Cross on a new England football shirt.

Wading into the controversy, the prime minister argued the flags are "a source of pride, identity, who we are and they are perfect as we are".

His comments came as a backlash grew over the modification to the iconic flag by the US sportswear giant, with fans demanding the original flag be reinstated and an online petition collecting thousands of signatures.

Explainer: From Leeds United's badge redesign to Spain's 'second republic' row: The most famous kit and logo controversies

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has already called on Nike to "reconsider" its decision, as the symbol was a "unifier".

Labour's shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry has also branded it "peculiar", pointing out people would not expect the heraldic Welsh dragon to be swapped "to a pussycat" or the French tricolour to be altered.

'You wouldn't change the Welsh dragon to a pussycat'
The row was triggered after Nike revealed it had tweaked the traditional red cross and introduced purple and blue stripes.

The company dubbed it "a playful update" to the shirt ahead of Euro 2024, inspired by the training kit worn by England's 1966 World Cup winners.

Source: Sky News
 
The Bald Eagle said:
Rishi Sunak has warned against "messing with" the national flags after Nike changed the colour of the St George's Cross on a new England football shirt.

Wading into the controversy, the prime minister argued the flags are "a source of pride, identity, who we are and they are perfect as we are".

His comments came as a backlash grew over the modification to the iconic flag by the US sportswear giant, with fans demanding the original flag be reinstated and an online petition collecting thousands of signatures.

Explainer: From Leeds United's badge redesign to Spain's 'second republic' row: The most famous kit and logo controversies

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has already called on Nike to "reconsider" its decision, as the symbol was a "unifier".

Labour's shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry has also branded it "peculiar", pointing out people would not expect the heraldic Welsh dragon to be swapped "to a pussycat" or the French tricolour to be altered.

'You wouldn't change the Welsh dragon to a pussycat'
The row was triggered after Nike revealed it had tweaked the traditional red cross and introduced purple and blue stripes.

The company dubbed it "a playful update" to the shirt ahead of Euro 2024, inspired by the training kit worn by England's 1966 World Cup winners.

Source: Sky News
Click to expand...

FA defends new England kit over flag design​


The FA has defended the St George's Cross design on its new England kit, saying "it is not the first time" different colours have been used.

The body said it understood what the flag "means to our fans", and it will be "displayed prominently at Wembley tomorrow - as it always is".

It added that the fresh 2024 home kit was "meant as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup winning team".

Earlier, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the flag shouldn't be messed with.

A row over the latest kit erupted on Thursday, with politicians and sports figures weighing in on the topic.

Speaking to reporters, the prime minister said he preferred the original and the national flag was a "source of pride" and identity.

"When it comes to our national flags, we shouldn't mess with them because they're a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they're perfect as they are," Mr Sunak said.

The new design takes creative licence with the cross by adding navy, light blue and purple to the traditional red.

The flag traditionally features the St George's Cross bright red on a white background.

www.bbc.com

FA defends new England kit over flag design

FA defends England kit over St George's Cross design saying "it is not the first time" different colours have been used
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 

Rishi Sunak facing another by-election as lobbying sting MP Scott Benton quits​


Tory MP Scott Benton is quitting parliament almost a year after being embroiled in a lobbying sting.

The Blackpool South MP has written to Jeremy Hunt with “a heavy heart” to quit, meaning Rishi Sunak faces another tricky by-election in the seat.

His resignation comes as a recall petition in his seat was ongoing, having been suspended from the parliament after allegedly being caught offering to lobby ministers on behalf of gambling investors in exchange for money.

He was expected to be recalled from parliament by his constituents and face a by-election in the seat he would have been likely to lose.

www.independent.co.uk

Sunak facing another by-election as lobbying sting MP Scott Benton quits

The Blackpool South MP has written to Jeremy Hunt with “a heavy heart” to quit, meaning Rishi Sunak faces another tricky by-election in the seat
www.independent.co.uk www.independent.co.uk
 

Rishi Sunak criticised for 'surprise' honours list including major Tory donor Mohamed Mansour​


Rishi Sunak has been criticised for announcing a "surprise" round of honours - including a knighthood for a major donor to the Conservative Party.

It was announced on the Thursday before the Easter bank holiday weekend that Mohamed Mansour was being knighted for business, charity and political service - he had given £5m to the Tories in 2023 and is a senior treasurer at the party.

A number of Conservative MPs were also made knights and dames.

Labour's chair, Anneliese Dodds, said Mr Sunak's nominations were "either the arrogant act of an entitled man who's stopped caring what the public thinks, or the demob-happy self-indulgence of someone who doesn't expect to be prime minister much longer".

Asked by Sky News if Labour would rule out giving donors honours if they were in government, Ms Dodds said giving money should not be an "automatic pass".

Following the announcement, Mr Mansour said: "This award is the greatest honour of my life. I am thrilled and hugely grateful.

"This award would have meant so much to my father and mother. I wish they could have lived to see this day. This honour is for them, for the values they taught my siblings and I and for everything they did for us."

Downing Street sources highlighted Mr Mansour's work supporting charities - including financially backing a memorial to those who died due to COVID.

Speaking to Sky News, Conservative peer and polling expert Lord Robert Haywood said the public would be "unhappy" with the move.

While some non-political figures - like director Christopher Nolan - were also knighted, it's the political acts that will draw attention.

Lord Haywood said: "I think people don't like it, there's no question about that.

"The problem is that you've got people who are genuine philanthropists who also give money to a political party, and that's where the line isn't differentiated."

He added that he was "really surprised" by the timing of the list - but it probably doesn't say anything about the timing of a general election.

Normally, honours are granted at New Year's on the monarch's birthday, or after the resignation of a prime minister, although this is a convention not a rule.

The timing of the announcement, while parliament is in recess, has also raised eyebrows - although sources suggested the timing was linked to the need to make appointments to the Privy Council, including the new Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething.

Tory MP Philip Davies was one of the Conservative MPs to be made knight. He is known for hosting a television show on GB News with his wife, fellow Conservative MP and minister Esther McVey.

Ex-sports minister Tracey Crouch will become a dame having run a review into reforming the UK football system, and farming minister Mark Spencer will also become a sir.

Treasury Select Committee chair Harriett Baldwin - a Conservative MP - will also become a dame.

news.sky.com

Rishi Sunak criticised for 'surprise' honours list including major Tory donor Mohamed Mansour

Sources have pointed out recipient Mohamed Mansour's past charity work. He is a Conservative Party treasurer and gave £5m to the party in 2023.
news.sky.com news.sky.com
 

I told Liz Truss her economic policies were wrong, says Rishi Sunak​


Rishi Sunak has defended his economic record after Sir Keir Starmer attacked former Tory PM Liz Truss's decisions.

The Labour leader said Ms Truss had been responsible for a "disastrous kamikaze budget that triggered chaos for millions".

The PM distanced himself from his predecessor saying he had told Ms Truss her economic polices were "wrong".

Ms Truss became the UK's shortest serving prime minister, when she was forced to resign after just 49 days.

Her mini-budget, which included £45bn of unfunded tax cuts, triggered economic turmoil and led to her downfall as prime minister.

She is currently promoting her new book Ten Years to Save the West and has said her plan was aimed at boosting economic growth but was "undermined" by the Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Sir Keir raised the subject of Ms Truss and her book at Prime Minister's Questions, joking that he was the "proud owner" of a "rare unsigned copy".

"It is quite the read. She claims the Tory Party's disastrous kamikaze budget that triggered chaos for millions was - her words - 'the happiest moment of her premiership'."

He asked if the prime minister had "met anyone with a mortgage who agrees" adding that "tens of billions of pounds of unfunded tax cuts" had "left millions paying more on their mortgages".

In reply, Mr Sunak said: "Everyone knows that two years ago I wasn't afraid to repeatedly warn about what her economic policies would lead to, even if it wasn't what people wanted to hear at the time."

During the battle to lead the Tory party in 2022, Mr Sunak had argued that his opponent Ms Truss's tax cut plans would "tip millions of people into misery".

"I was right then but I am also right now when I say that his [Sir Keir's] economic policies would be a disaster for Britain" Mr Sunak told Sir Keir.

He added: "When my predecessor was running for leader, to use his words, I did have the stomach to argue out loud about her economic policies and the conviction to say that they were wrong not once, but twice."

The Labour leader argued that the Conservatives were currently committing to £46bn worth of unfunded tax cuts, with its plan to scrap National Insurance altogether.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who used his Budget last month to cut National Insurance, has said he would like to scrap the tax altogether but emphasised that this was "a long-term ambition".

The Labour leader said such a move could only be paid for by cutting the NHS, the state pension or rising income tax - and asked the prime minister which one he would opt for.

Mr Sunak side-stepped the question, instead pointing out that his recent tax cuts amounted to "£900 for a typical worker".

He also suggested that instead of reading Ms Truss's new book, the Labour leader should read the tax advice given to his own deputy, Angela Rayner.

Sir Keir hit back, accusing Mr Sunak of "smearing a working-class woman" while his family had "used schemes to avoid millions of pounds of tax" - a reference to the prime minister's wife's previous use of the non-dom status.

Ms Rayner is facing questions over where she was living before she sold a house in 2015, and whether it meant she should have paid tax on the profits.

Greater Manchester Police have also said they are investigating into claims she may have falsely registered her address on the electoral roll.

Ms Rayner has promised to resign if she is found to have committed a criminal offence.

She has resisted calls to publish professional advice she requested after the row over taxes broke out.

Sir Keir, who is sticking by his deputy, has said he has not read the advice, although members of his team have.

www.bbc.com

I told Liz Truss her economic policies were wrong, says Rishi Sunak

The prime minister and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer clash over ex PM at Prime Minister's Questions.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
JaDed said:
Finally lasted longer than expected.
Click to expand...

He got more leeway because he was Indian. If he was white he would have been getting dogs abuse by now. The public just don't respect him, he lacks authority. The only reason they stayed relatively quiet is because of fears of racism accusations.
 

Rishi Sunak slams protests and boycott calls over Israel’s Eurovision appearance​


Rishi Sunak has slammed “outrageous” protests and calls for a boycott of Eurovision over Israel's involvement in the competition.

Downing Street said the prime minister thinks the calls are “wrong”.

There has been numerous calls for artists to boycott this year’s final amid Israel's war with Hamas,

An estimated crowd of 10,000 to 12,000 pro-Palestinian protesters marched through Malmo, where the contest is being held, on Thursday.

Police said nine people were warned about "disturbing the public order" and one man was arrested after allegedly carrying a knife and some tools in his bag.

More pro-Palestinian protests are planned for the day of the final itself on Saturday.

www.independent.co.uk

Rishi Sunak slams protests and boycott calls over Israel’s Eurovision appearance

Rishi Sunak has slammed “outrageous” protests and calls for a boycott of Eurovision over Israel's involvement in the competition.
www.independent.co.uk www.independent.co.uk
 
Sunak has done tremendous work and has been a brilliant PM so far. Imagine the mess Liz "I am a fighter not a quitter" Truss left for Sunak to clean.

He took the country out of recession and made it one of the fastest growing economy

UK exits recession with fastest growth in two years

There are many millions of households for whom normal growth will not feel good.

When I go around the country and ask people about recession ending, there is a mixture of resignation, laughter and annoyance.

The significant hike in the level of prices is what households notice the most, more than the rate of inflation or GDP. While per capita GDP is now also up for the first time in two years, it is still lower now than two years ago.

Will people be grateful for a turning point? Or will they focus on years of sluggish growth and declining living standards before that?

 
Rajdeep said:
Sunak has done tremendous work and has been a brilliant PM so far. Imagine the mess Liz "I am a fighter not a quitter" Truss left for Sunak to clean.

He took the country out of recession and made it one of the fastest growing economy

UK exits recession with fastest growth in two years

There are many millions of households for whom normal growth will not feel good.

When I go around the country and ask people about recession ending, there is a mixture of resignation, laughter and annoyance.

The significant hike in the level of prices is what households notice the most, more than the rate of inflation or GDP. While per capita GDP is now also up for the first time in two years, it is still lower now than two years ago.

Will people be grateful for a turning point? Or will they focus on years of sluggish growth and declining living standards before that?

Click to expand...

He goes into some more detail in this article:

www.bbc.co.uk

UK economy is improving but people may not notice - BBC News

Growth was stronger than expected, but millions of households are yet to feel the benefit.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk

“But there are many millions of households for whom normal growth will not feel good.
When I go around the country and ask people about recession ending, there is a mixture of resignation, laughter and annoyance.
The significant hike in the level of prices is what households notice the most, more than the rate of inflation or GDP. While per capita GDP is now also up for the first time in two years, it is still lower now than two years ago.”

Before India celebrate, it’s worth pointing out that majority of the nation think Rishi is colossal who has done very little to turn things around, even the Tories are out for his neck, wont shock anyone if he is replaced before the general election.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
shaz619 said:
He goes into some more detail in this article:

www.bbc.co.uk

UK economy is improving but people may not notice - BBC News

Growth was stronger than expected, but millions of households are yet to feel the benefit.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk

“But there are many millions of households for whom normal growth will not feel good.
When I go around the country and ask people about recession ending, there is a mixture of resignation, laughter and annoyance.
The significant hike in the level of prices is what households notice the most, more than the rate of inflation or GDP. While per capita GDP is now also up for the first time in two years, it is still lower now than two years ago.”

Before India celebrate, it’s worth pointing out that majority of the nation think Rishi is colossal who has done very little to turn things around, even the Tories are out for his neck, wont shock anyone if he is replaced before the general election.
Click to expand...

Indians would celebrate a midgets high jump record if he/ she was Indian or with a Indian/Hindu name .

Sunak has a lower approval rate than liz truss, now this is an achievement.

The man is despised as leader & if you watch some of his videos , they are more cringe than any rate c Bollywood movie .

Considering labour are an absolute shambles but still will win the election , sunak will be the most defeated pm in modern history .

With his campness mannerisms, it’s clear he’s only got this far for helping his posh mates out …
 
Last edited by a moderator:
shaz619 said:
He goes into some more detail in this article:

www.bbc.co.uk

UK economy is improving but people may not notice - BBC News

Growth was stronger than expected, but millions of households are yet to feel the benefit.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk

“But there are many millions of households for whom normal growth will not feel good.
When I go around the country and ask people about recession ending, there is a mixture of resignation, laughter and annoyance.
The significant hike in the level of prices is what households notice the most, more than the rate of inflation or GDP. While per capita GDP is now also up for the first time in two years, it is still lower now than two years ago.”

Before India celebrate, it’s worth pointing out that majority of the nation think Rishi is colossal who has done very little to turn things around, even the Tories are out for his neck, wont shock anyone if he is replaced before the general election.
Click to expand...

1. The mess that Liz Truss has left for Rishi to clean, it is impossible for him to change everything so soon. Everyone thought he would run away like Mrs Truss, especially Pakistanis...but not only stayed back and now bringing the economy in track by bringing UK out of recession.

2. Majority of nation feels he is a colossal failure for multiple reasons:

2.1 - for Gora's, it is due to the colour of his skin.
2.2 - for Pakistanis and Islamists, it is his religion.

However, his overall performance as PM is much better than both Boris and Truss. Only David Cameron as PM was better.

Sunak is a smart, articulate and has that can do attitude. In every wednesday's PM question time, Starmer tries his best to corner him thinking he is a pushover like Truss or Boris but gets humiliated :ROFLMAO:

Voting him out and bringing Keir Starmer will be catastrophic mistake for UK.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Rajdeep said:
1. The mess that Liz Truss has left for Rishi to clean, it is impossible for him to change everything so soon. Everyone thought he would run away like Mrs Truss, especially Pakistanis...but not only stayed back and now bringing the economy in track by bringing UK out of recession.

2. Majority of nation feels he is a colossal failure for multiple reasons:

2.1 - for Gora's, it is due to the colour of his skin.
2.2 - for Pakistanis and Islamists, it is his religion.

However, his overall performance as PM is much better than both Boris and Truss. Only David Cameron as PM was better.

Sunak is a smart, articulate and has that can do attitude. In every wednesday's PM question time, Starmer tries his best to corner him thinking he is a pushover like Truss or Boris but gets humiliated :ROFLMAO:

Voting him out and bringing Keir Starmer will be catastrophic mistake for UK.
Click to expand...



Sunak followed arguably the worst PM in history, yet he doesn’t have the people, there’s a good reason for that, the living standards have not improved for the vast majority of the population. If Gaza and Racism were the main factors which drive the electorate in a population of millions, the Tory party wouldn’t have lost so much ground during the local elections recently, that’s despite being up against Keir Starmer of all politicians!

‘Sunak is a smart, articulate and has that can do attitude.’
 
Last edited by a moderator:
KingKhanWC said:
Indians would celebrate a midgets high jump record if he/ she was Indian or with a Indian/Hindu name .

Sunak has a lower approval rate than liz truss, now this is an achievement.

The man is despised as leader & if you watch some of his videos , they are more cringe than any rate c Bollywood movie .

Considering labour are an absolute shambles but still will win the election , sunak will be the most defeated pm in modern history .

With his campness mannerisms, it’s clear he’s only got this far for helping his posh mates out …
Click to expand...

He isn’t a leader, the guy had a meltdown on national TV because of George Galloway, that had to be the single most humiliating moment in politics. No amount of bending for the Gora’s will help him anymore, he sounds like a weasel and is out of touch with normal people, much like his sub-human supporters. They criticise Boris and Cameron but they had an aura at least, this guy is basically a tiny Kukar in a suit.
 
Rajdeep said:
Sunak has done tremendous work and has been a brilliant PM so far. Imagine the mess Liz "I am a fighter not a quitter" Truss left for Sunak to clean.

He took the country out of recession and made it one of the fastest growing economy

UK exits recession with fastest growth in two years

There are many millions of households for whom normal growth will not feel good.

When I go around the country and ask people about recession ending, there is a mixture of resignation, laughter and annoyance.

The significant hike in the level of prices is what households notice the most, more than the rate of inflation or GDP. While per capita GDP is now also up for the first time in two years, it is still lower now than two years ago.

Will people be grateful for a turning point? Or will they focus on years of sluggish growth and declining living standards before that?

Click to expand...

Joke of the century. The guy is basically a sitting duck. I will admit he inherited alot of issues. But his overall leadership has been really ordinary .

The Tories face complete humiliation in the next General election.
 
aboveandbeyond said:
Joke of the century. The guy is basically a sitting duck. I will admit he inherited alot of issues. But his overall leadership has been really ordinary .

The Tories face complete humiliation in the next General election.
Click to expand...

Yes Tories will face humiliation but that is not on Sunak. People are overall fadeup with Tory govt and want a change. Then again, considering the alternative is Labour....I see them not lasting in power for more than 5 years.

Tories badly need Nigel Farage. If he joins and leads the party, they will win a landslide election.
 
Rajdeep said:
1. The mess that Liz Truss has left for Rishi to clean, it is impossible for him to change everything so soon. Everyone thought he would run away like Mrs Truss, especially Pakistanis...but not only stayed back and now bringing the economy in track by bringing UK out of recession.

2. Majority of nation feels he is a colossal failure for multiple reasons:

2.1 - for Gora's, it is due to the colour of his skin.
2.2 - for Pakistanis and Islamists, it is his religion.

However, his overall performance as PM is much better than both Boris and Truss. Only David Cameron as PM was better.

Sunak is a smart, articulate and has that can do attitude. In every wednesday's PM question time, Starmer tries his best to corner him thinking he is a pushover like Truss or Boris but gets humiliated :ROFLMAO:

Voting him out and bringing Keir Starmer will be catastrophic mistake for UK.
Click to expand...
Sunak's terrible polling numbers are less to do with the colour of his skin or religion, and more about the country's fatigue after 14 years of a Conservative Government. Sunak may have vaulted over the incredibly low bar of basic competence set by Truss and Johnson, and the alternative in Keir Starmer may be dull and uninspiring, but the reality is:

- Real wages are still lower than prior to the 2008 financial crash.
- The Rwanda scheme has been a colossal waste of taxpayer's money, an inffectual gimmick when the number of small boats are up by a quarter compared to this time last year.
- 7.5 million are on NHS waiting lists. The Telegraph (hardly a left leaning publication) reported it'll take 685 years to clear the backlog if it continues to fall at the current rate ! Also, good luck getting a timely GP appointment or finding an NHS dentist.
- Knife crime has risen by 7% under the party of "Law and Order"
- People still have bitter memories of the cronyism, fraud and corruption during Covid. On Sunak's watch as Chancellor, billions of taxpayer's money was lost and a tiny sum has been recovered.

And even Sunak's biggest supporters realise his attempts to prove himself a man of the people have been toecurlingly embarrassing. He looks at a contactless card machine as if it's something beamed in from Outer Space.

FOnrYTaX0Ak_kcB.png

The majority of British people aren't racists or Islamists, but they recognise inauthenticity and insincerity when they see it.
 
He's just too rich, worth close to a billion dollars. It's the first time in recent history that the UK's had a wealthy PM and the people can't relate to him. Even Cameron was not that affluent.
 
Rajdeep said:
Yes Tories will face humiliation but that is not on Sunak. People are overall fadeup with Tory govt and want a change. Then again, considering the alternative is Labour....I see them not lasting in power for more than 5 years.

Tories badly need Nigel Farage. If he joins and leads the party, they will win a landslide election.
Click to expand...

As for Farage. Who conned the the public about the NHS and the reason it was underfunded, all came out as trash talk. People are genuinely fed up with these corrupt politicians
 
RexRex said:
He's just too rich, worth close to a billion dollars. It's the first time in recent history that the UK's had a wealthy PM and the people can't relate to him. Even Cameron was not that affluent.
Click to expand...

You mean he cannot relate to the average Joe.
 
RexRex said:
He's just too rich, worth close to a billion dollars. It's the first time in recent history that the UK's had a wealthy PM and the people can't relate to him. Even Cameron was not that affluent.
Click to expand...
Nothing to do with that. The Tories are hated and unless Labour mess up badly, the Tories could be in for another 1997. Rishi is seen as a nothing guy
 
Bewal Express said:
Nothing to do with that. The Tories are hated and unless Labour mess up badly, the Tories could be in for another 1997. Rishi is seen as a nothing guy
Click to expand...

Would you've classified Boris Johnson as a nothing guy ?
 

Rishi Sunak apologises to infected blood scandal victims and says it is 'day of shame for British state'​

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has offered a "wholehearted and unequivocal" apology to the victims of the infected blood scandal, saying it was a "day of shame for the British state".

Mr Sunak said the findings of the Infected Blood Inquiry's final report should "shake our nation to its core", as he promised to pay "comprehensive compensation to those infected and those affected", adding: "Whatever it costs to deliver this scheme, we will pay it."

The report from the inquiry's chair Sir Brian Langstaff blamed "successive governments, the NHS, and blood services" for failures that led to 30,000 people being "knowingly" infected with either HIV or Hepatitis C through blood products. Around 3,000 people have now died.

The prime minister said for any government apology to be "meaningful", it had to be "accompanied by action".

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Sunak called it a "calamity", saying the report showed a "decades-long moral failure at the heart of our national life", as he condemned the actions of the NHS, civil service and ministers - "institutions in which we place our trust failed in the most harrowing and devastating way".

The prime minister said they "failed this country", adding: "Time and again, people in positions of power and trust had the chance to stop the transmission of those infections. Time and again, they failed to do so.

"I want to make a whole-hearted and unequivocal apology for this terrible injustice."

Pointing to key findings in the report - from the destruction of documents through to failures over screening - Mr Sunak said there had been "layer upon layer of hurt endured across decades".

He also apologised for the "institutional refusal to face up to these failings and worse, to deny and even attempt to cover them up", adding: "This is an apology from the state to every single person impacted by this scandal.

"It did not have to be this way. It should never have been this way. And on behalf of this and every government stretching back to the 1970s, I am truly sorry."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also apologised for his party's part in the scandal, telling the Commons: "I want to acknowledge to every single person who has suffered that in addition to all of the other failings, politics itself failed you.

"That failure applies to all parties, including my own. There is only one word, sorry."

Source: SKY
 

Rishi Sunak's smoking ban bill set to be shelved due to election​


Rishi Sunak's flagship bill to eventually ban smoking looks set to be shelved after he called a surprise July general election.

There is not enough time to pass the law before Parliament shuts down for the election on Friday.

But Mr Sunak remains committed to creating a "smoke-free generation" and the ban is likely to feature in the Conservative manifesto.

Labour has also said it will bring in the ban if it wins the election.

The proposed law would prevent anyone born after 2009 from legally smoking by gradually raising the minimum age to buy cigarettes from the current level of 18.

In an update to MPs, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt did not list the bill in the business currently scheduled to take place before Friday.

She added that talks over which other bills to save were "ongoing," and her Labour counterpart Lucy Powell said the bill was "at risk".

Under the government's plan, the age rises were not due to begin until 2027. It would not affect those who can currently buy cigarettes.

But there are only two days left to pass the legislation, which was yet to start its journey through the House of Lords.

The main two parties are currently in negotiations over which draft laws could be quickly put through Parliament before it is suspended on Friday.

Parliament will then be formally shut down on Thursday next week, triggering a five-week official campaign period.

Mr Sunak highlighted the smoking ban in his speech announcing the election on Wednesday, in a signal it would feature in the Tory election manifesto.

He said: "We will ensure that the next generation grows up smoke free."

It would have eventually made the UK the first country in the world to ban adults from buying tobacco, and had been seen as a political legacy for Mr Sunak if the Tories are not re-elected.

www.bbc.com

Rishi Sunak's smoking ban bill set to be shelved due to election

Rishi Sunak's flagship ban on smoking for people born after 2009 runs out of time to pass into law.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
Choosing between the Tories and Labour is pointless. Left and right leg of the same aimless chicken.
 
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