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The last thing Rishi Sunak didn’t want to face when he returned from last week’s G7 summit was another controversy with Boris Johnson.
But the prime minister’s predecessor was again called to police for allegedly violating lockdown rules by letting family and friends stay at 10 Downing Street and Checkers while COVID-19 restrictions were still in force. That was the conclusion he came to after it became clear that he had been
Continuing dissatisfaction with record levels of immigration, combined with a moment when it seemed like he should sack Home Secretary Suera Braverman, has left Sunak with persistent problems with the right wing. It is clear that
Even though opinion polls show the Conservatives trailing Labor by about 15 points, he remains confident he will win the next general election, even though few people agree with him.
He told friends that the public would reject Sir Keir Starmer because “he doesn’t stand for anything” and described himself as a pure opportunist who would say anything for short-term gain. further strengthens the claim of By contrast, Sunak says his own approach is similar to that of famed investor Warren Buffett, who ignores the ups and downs of daily investing in order to focus on the long-term perspective. speaks clearly.
But Johnson’s reappearance on the front page this week has thrown his agenda off track. The reason is not just Mr Johnson’s recent referral to police, but also the issues surrounding the dispute with the official coronavirus investigation, which the chairman believes Mr Johnson should have access to all information about the former prime minister. But it was. Communications in preparation for the pandemic, not just what the Cabinet Office has chosen to take over.
Johnson’s supporters believe he is the victim of political collusion. On her talk TV show last night (Friday), former Culture Secretary Nadine Dries said: “Some people in Westminster fear the return of Mr. Boris Johnson more than anything else, and they will do whatever it takes to ensure that it is stopped.” It’s happening in leading you down the path of evil intentions. “
She does not represent the majority of Conservative MPs. Sunak’s supporters acknowledge widespread dissatisfaction, manifested in riots over Brexit, immigration and economic policy, but Johnson no longer focuses on these. I adamantly argue that it is not.
“We are in a post-Boris era, so people want rebellion, but they don’t have the means,” said one former cabinet minister. IHe added, “It’s been a tumultuous two weeks. There’s far more noise than matter. Meanwhile, the fate of the government rests on what happens in the real world.”
A Conservative official said: “What I can say about Boris is that he wasn’t a very good prime minister. I love him as much as I love him as a person.”
Another government official pointed to Sunak’s failed rebellion against the Brexit deal amendment as evidence that Mr Johnson had lost support as the party tried to unite around the new leader, saying: . , primarily interested in winning. Take a look at the Windsor Framework poll – Boris and Liz tried to make themselves leaders of a particular mindset, but it didn’t work. “
For many Conservative Party officials, the week has been an unfavorable reminder of the turmoil that reigned in the final months of Mr Johnson’s tenure, with more than 50 cabinet ministers resigning in two days last July. It ended with that. One of them said, “I resigned last year because I couldn’t believe what No. 10 said.” “And what happened this week makes me think I was right about it.”
Ministers say the size of the pro-Johnson campaign is too small to pose a real problem for Sunak. “Boris is Boris,” said one. “But the fact that there are only five or so people willing to endorse him, even off the record, tells all you need to know. People have now moved on. “
Johnson’s aides dispute this. In a show of strength, the suspension of SNP lawmaker Margaret Ferrier, who came to Congress with COVID-19, was scheduled this week so they could not set a precedent for Mr Johnson. Forced the government to carry out the vote. If it is found that he has violated Commons rules regarding party lines. A source close to the former prime minister said the operation was only possible because a significant number of Conservative MPs were willing to participate.
Sunak is trying to strengthen the right wing. A recent cabinet meeting included Sir John Redwood, who lashed out at the prime minister to show he was listening to those who feared his political course was all wrong. The chairman of the Conservative Party’s Backbench Policy Committee, including Mr.
Confirmation that net immigration reached a record level of over 600,000 did not help either. But some Conservative centrists were relieved the numbers weren’t high yet, with one commenting, “Everyone was excited about immigration, but when the numbers came out most people just shrugged their shoulders. was,” he said.
a minister said I: “If more extreme projections, such as 1 million net immigration, had been correct, it would have been a problem. But I don’t think that is the case.” Likewise,” he said, students should be excluded from the figures. Sunak’s closest allies also complained that the figures included returned British expatriates and Ukrainian refugees, pointing out that otherwise immigration numbers would be on the decline.
Braverman was exonerated this week for allegedly trying to cover up a speeding fine, but some lawmakers have already lost faith in her. A senior lawmaker said the crackdown on graduate students bringing their families and trying to reduce the influx showed a “lack of imagination”, forcing her to open up about her frustration with the status quo. She suggested that it was for the following reasons. “I don’t have the ability to advocate within the government.”
One of the Home Secretary’s most powerful enemies on immigration matters is now the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Archbishop opposes her policy and seeks to amend government legislation to force Ms. Braverman to play a more active role in helping refugees in the area. world. “He’s a lot more political than most people think,” said a Labor official. He focuses on what actually makes a difference. “
The real-world impact of government attempts to police and limit the number of dependents for international students is already being felt. Lance, a Nigerian living in Brighton, works as a recovery worker and is also studying in the UK. Speaking at a focus group hosted by political strategy firm Public First this week, he said the UK should realize the very real implications of such policies for the country.
“If you look at what’s happening in the UK right now, there are shortages in all industries across the UK, with experts coming from all over the world to fill Brexit-affected positions.” said he. . “I’m not going to leave my family and come here to work professionally. It’s impossible. It’s like slavery. It’s like modern day slavery.”
“Eventually, I will leave and emigrate to some country like Canada, where I will be evaluated and in two years or so I can easily get a passport and become a citizen. can. “
Kevin is also from Nigeria and lives in Ramford, studying while working part-time in IT support. He questioned whether some in government were being honest with the public about the impact of their policies.
“I don’t know if the impact is well represented,” he told the focus group. “We have college cities…a lot of the income that goes into those cities comes from the colleges.
“Some of these towns will not have foreigners coming. And some politicians don’t answer that question.You know, there are questions to ask and questions to answer, but there are no answers at this time.”
