Sunak says he’s not going to attend the Cop27 climate summit.

He knew exactly what he was letting himself in for.

MaizieD

The Guardian. Rafael Behr?

Part of the explanation is Sunak’s lack of experience and interest in any aspect of government other than finance. He was a banker before he was a politician and, aside from a stint as a bag-carrier at the communities department, his ministerial rise was a vertical ascent through the Treasury.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/02/rishi-sunak-suella-braverman-british-politics-austerity-hostile-environment

Rafael Behr takes no prisoners does he!

"Rishi Sunak is good at not being Liz Truss". That made me .

Typical Behr. Behr was named political commentator of the year at the 2014 Comment Awards - an organisation which has had its share of controversy.

He also went on to say that Sunak should've recognised the opportunity to appear on the world stage... " Even if Sunak couldn’t feel any moral urgency about the climate crisis he might at least have sensed the expedient statecraft in appearing to care alongside Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden."

Ouch!

Because of the divisions within the Commons - not to mention the nation - Sunak is in that unenviable position of being damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't.

MaizieD

The Guardian. Rafael Behr?

Part of the explanation is Sunak’s lack of experience and interest in any aspect of government other than finance. He was a banker before he was a politician and, aside from a stint as a bag-carrier at the communities department, his ministerial rise was a vertical ascent through the Treasury.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/02/rishi-sunak-suella-braverman-british-politics-austerity-hostile-environment

Yes I read that, but also something else as well, still not to worry, I think his lack of experience is self evident in his decision making thus far tbh.

Sunak is 42. William Pitt the Younger was 24 when he became PM. Blair and Cameron were both 43 on becoming PM. Age is hardly a key criterion.

Whitewavemark2

I was reading today (forget where) that the problem with Sunak is that he has such little experience, nor political acumen, that he is not really up to running a rounded government.

And remember he was only accidentally over-promoted to Chancellor because Sajid Javid resigned over interference from Cummings which he wasn't prepared to accept.

Sunak is too young and inexperienced to be PM.

The Guardian. Rafael Behr?

Part of the explanation is Sunak’s lack of experience and interest in any aspect of government other than finance. He was a banker before he was a politician and, aside from a stint as a bag-carrier at the communities department, his ministerial rise was a vertical ascent through the Treasury.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/02/rishi-sunak-suella-braverman-british-politics-austerity-hostile-environment

No ‘cause I’ve been out so not listened to any podcasts - must do that later - I reckon it may have been the Guardian.

Whitewavemark2

I was reading today (forget where) that the problem with Sunak is that he has such little experience, nor political acumen, that he is not really up to running a rounded government.

I think it might have been mentioned in the Rory Stewart/ Alastair Campbell podcast. Just realised I haven’t checked to see if there’s a new one.

I was reading today (forget where) that the problem with Sunak is that he has such little experience, nor political acumen, that he is not really up to running a rounded government.

Whitewavemark2

Apparently the opinion is that Starmer wiped the floor with Sunak at PMQs

He certainly did.

Apparently the opinion is that Starmer wiped the floor with Sunak at PMQs

Johnson still pulling the parliamentary strings. I can see why May made him foreign secretary to ‘ keep him close’. What might be good for the country and, indeed, the world, is that Johnson, having failed at being a great PM still wants a legacy of some kind. And seems to determined to get it via supporting Ukraine and environmental issues.

U turn No. 1 for the current PM. Oh well, only nine days in post.!!!

I will give him the benefit of the doubt this time.

He has had the top job 9 days, he has an awful lot to do on the domestic front. He has now decided that time wise he can afford a couple of days to go to Sharm el Sheik.

Let’s hope that there is a joint agreement to help slow down climate change from all governments attending.

Another U turn then.

We need a proactive Prime Minister, not one manipulated by a section of the parliamentary party or reacting to provocation from a previous PM...

Sunak might have been a great hedge fund manager, but he is no leader...

rosie1959

Now Rhisi Sunak is going
Boris was apparently invited by the Egyptian government

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63484971

🙄 🤷

Now Rhisi Sunak is going
Boris was apparently invited by the Egyptian government

varian: ''There are reports Mr Johnson, who attended the Glasgow summit when he was prime minister, could go to Egypt for this year's event.''

in what capacity would he be attending? He is a mere MP, who is not even acting like an MP in his own Constituency?

The ERG had the same hold over Cameron, forcing him to hold the Brexit vote, it’s not likely to result in a forced GE though. Exactly the same happened to the Labour Party under Milliband and Corbyn, extremist politics.

varian

The ERG might want to have their own Brexit party/Reform UK Party, but why should they bother when they already control the Tory Party?

They would, in my opinion, want to hang on to the Conservative name. There could be a battle over that as there are votes that will go, simply to the name. Which group would be strong enough to fight for it against them?

Perhaps a Sunak u-turn is on the way (given Johnson talk of going to COP27 though I can't think what Johnson could contribute other than few Latin tags).

The ERG might want to have their own Brexit party/Reform UK Party, but why should they bother when they already control the Tory Party?

MaizieD

DaisyAnne

Are there enough of the far-right fascists in government, and their fellow travellers, to oust him, do you think Dickens?

I'm not Dickens, but I think there are enough to bring down his government if they feel inclined to do so. The government's majority is now, I believe, about 70. It only needs 35+ to vote against,say, the budget, and he's dead. I think that the ERG is about that number. They've been wagging the tory government's tails for ever; it was they who ultimately brought down Theresa May...

But how will they benefit if the government is indeed brought down? Perhaps they intend to defect to the former Brexit party, Reform UK?

It only needs 35+ to vote against, say, the budget...

Actually, that is quite a small number isn't it?

Why would the ERG vote against their own government, precipitating an election which they would be bound to lose?

Years ago there were moderate Tory MPs who could not have supported an ultra right government but they have long gone.