Rishi Sunak: The stopgap prime minister who failed to turn around Tory fortunes

When Rishi Sunak emerged into a rain-drenched Downing Street to announce he was calling an election he began by recalling the moment four years earlier when he unveiled his unprecedented furlough scheme to protect millions of jobs through the Covid pandemic.
It was a telling choice. The then 39-year-old chancellor had barely been in the post a month, but he radiated a calm reassurance as he told a public desperately worried as to how they would make ends meet as the country went into lockdown: “You will not face this alone.”
At a stroke he became the most popular politician in the country, seen as the natural successor to his mentor Boris Johnson who had elevated him to take charge of the nation’s finances.
Nothing, however, that he was to do subsequently was to resonate as profoundly with voters as that moment when the nation faced arguably its darkest hour since the Second World War.
When he did ascend to the top job some two and a half years later - becoming the UK’s first non-white premier - it was against a political backdrop which had changed dramatically.
Mr Johnson had been swept away amid a tidal wave of disgust over revelations of drunken partying in No 10 during lockdown while the rest of the country stoically obeyed the order to stay home.
His successor, Liz Truss, had lasted just 49 days as her £45 billion “mini budget” package of unfunded tax cuts unleashed financial chaos, sending interest rates soaring for millions of mortgage-holders.
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[@crayontom9687]

‘Stopgap’. He did the job for nearly two years. Don’t downplay how shit he was

[@colinfryett8174]

How long does inflation last in most countries lmfao

[@roninhood1027]

He didn’t fail at anything, this is all deliberate, both are WEF lackeys.

[@Roxasamico]

controlled demolition of the UK

[@colinfryett8174]

Imagine if Labour had been in power when Covid started, we would be in a worse state now when they wanted longer lockdowns 😅

[@TeeK94]

His exit speech was the only good thing this man ever spoke. What a relief to hear it 😂

[@Rick-gb5jj]

Won't be missed.

[@duncanbradshaw8993]

He won't be missed. Good job it wasn't raining, but how can a drip get wetter?

[@japfourme381]

The Tories are no longer significant as a Party!!

[@timetraveller9321]

He’s off to the USA now living as a multimillionaire and getting on with his life got a job in Silicon Valley

[@El-bo6ef]

He made a shit load of money! Took advantage of the system! We should have access to his bank account just to see what's been going in and by whom!

[@Sidb26]

Good ridence

[@stephenmurphy1111]

A legacy nobody would want Rishi.You must have had wilful blindness not to see the mess you were creating paticularly concerning immigration. No spine, no backbone, a country run by weak politicians. I saw a bit that mentioned that a relatively small percentage of the population are causing the unrest. That being the case, have the courage to quell street disorder and vandalism and if the police cowards cant handle it let the army clear the streets

[@AsarKeziah1]

I remember when the Tories got in, i can't beleive its been 14 years already! Dosent seem that long ago to me.

[@kpace8605]

He couldn't shine Trump's shoes.

[@everestyeti]

Who would want to do that, thought he was off to prison. 😂

[@johncrook7705]

The members did not want him. The MPS wanted him and they lost their places in the election. Goodness he was another, like many of his ministers career politicians. This country needs honest open politicians like Reform. Wake up call for Labour and Conservatives who are a pale shadow of their great belief lead politicians.

[@jasbirhanspal8750]

You seem to implicate Frog face farage as honest?I have never heard such a misjudged comment in my life 😢

[@Scorchvein]

@@jasbirhanspal8750Well everyone is corrupted, but he’s the least corrupt out of all of them,if you think the opposite then clearly your lacking on research

[@DaveyMulholland]

"Little $h¡†" personified.

[@Hell...IsOtherPeople44]

Good Riddance 🥳

[@jamesjukebox2386]

F4UR unelected on the bounce,, what a democracy.

[@everestyeti]

I am not a Tory voter but the beauty of the UK, unlike anywhere else is that we vote for the party, the Prime Minister just leads whatever party is elected. It's also an historic name left over from the days when the Monarch appointed their ministers. Hence why you can have more than one Prime Minister, for the record they had 2 unelected leaders Lizz Truss and Rishi Sunak. David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson all won elections. If you go back to when Gordon Brown was Prime Minister, he wasn't elected either. But became leader of the Labour Party when Tony Blair resigned.

[@ushasharma6373]

We miss you sir last thing you did is the best no one come forward because they want votes it’s shame no one stand for ther country its only you have guts to say that hats off to you sir lots of love ❤️ ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@bushwhackeddos.2703]

Goodbye Kier Sunak Hello Rishi Starmer.

[@Question467]

Rwanda 😂😂😂😂😂🫵

[@mohammedazad7055]

Why you saying now that how Shit he was ? No points , you couldn’t even find any other better shit than mr Sunak. You all Salute him also called him dear Dad , to stand up for you as a prime minister. Because the cabinet was full of suits and ties, but there wasn’t any one fit for the purpose shame on you. Stop , backstabbing and backbiting is not a good thing.

[@chelseatv9880]

😊😅😅😮

[@MrDonster]

An unelected Indian pm single handedly completely destroyed the tories .. unbelievable.

[@casparnigell5510]

Sunak is like Trump and Liz Truss, the worst leaders in modern times. Adventurers and entitled brats, but the blame is squarely on the voters who let in these incompetents and their teams. 😥😥😥😥😥😥😥

[@kpace8605]

He couldn't shine Trump's shoes.He is a useless 💩😉

[@lovelylocolad]

You were great, Rishi; pay them no mind. No-one can polish a turd and that's what this country is. I've never seen anyone grow grey so quickly.

[@ob9835]

He was excellent PM He will be missed.

[@everestyeti]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 and Lizz Truss was good with money. 🤣😂🤣😂

[@harishkaria5644]

Good captain , not a good team or advisers. Not a helpful chancellor Jeremy Hunt.🤓