Rishi Sunak: From Pandemic Hero to Party Déjà Vu
When it comes to the Conservative Party’s internal politics, Rishi Sunak is the guy everyone seems to either love or hate. Some see him as the steady hand that steered Britain through the Covid chaos. Others call him the traitor who bit Boris Johnson in the back and the rival who warned Liz Truss about her tax “fair‑y” fairy tales.
What’s the Deal?
Now he faces a tough choice: can he convince the UK’s ruling party that he’s the right person to steer the ship away from a stormy horizon?
- Sunak was the runner‑up in last week’s prime minister race.
- He was the most popular among MPs, yet lost the final ballot to Liz Truss.
- Many blame him for Boris Johnson’s unraveling.
- His July resignation sparked a ministerial exodus and forced Johnson to step down.
He Did It All For a Reason
During the summer showdown, Sunak warned that Truss’s tax cuts were a recipe for higher borrowing costs—exactly what happened. The market sank, her gov’s popularity evaporated, and she was “demised.”
Why Some Think He’s the Fixer
Former Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab boosted Sunak’s image on Twitter:
“He has the plan and credibility to restore financial stability, get inflation under control, deliver sensible tax cuts, and unite the party by pulling the best talent into government.”
For his backers, Sunak’s previous rally cry about economic prudence and criticism of Truss’s “fairy tale” plans prove he’s on the right track.
Will He Be Able to Win Over the Party Skeptics?
Two big hurdles: the lingering anger over his “betrayal” of Johnson and the fact that his policies raise Britain’s taxes to record highs—just when the cost of living crisis is hitting hard.
Will he be a unifying leader or just another notch in the party’s tragic history? Time, and a smidge of political cunning, will tell.
Out of touch
When Sunak’s Glam Career Turns into a Tax Tangle
April saw the spotlight shine a bit too brightly on the former hedge‑fund guru now called “Prime Minister,” as his wife—who is also the daughter of an Indian billionaire—admitted that she had been enjoying a fancy “non‑domiciled” tax status in the UK. The revelation sparked fresh gossip that even the celebrity couple was flirting with the fine print.
From the Trading Floor to the Treadmill of Power
- Sunak entered Parliament in 2015 after a glamorous stint at Goldman Sachs and the hedge‑fund TCI.
- By 2020, at just 39, he was appointed finance minister just in time for the coronavirus blow‑out hitting Britain.
- He chose to ditch the Conservatives’ usual “small‑state” approach, taking on huge borrowing to sidestep a potential economic slump.
- Front‑line businesses and ordinary workers raved about his “lifeline” measures, and he became a darling of the nation.
One Iconic Snapshot
Picture this: Sunak standing proudly outside his Downing Street office, flanked by leaders of the largest trade‑union federation and a top employers’ group. It felt like a national choir singing in harmony—until the curtain fell.
Debt, Deficit, & the Cost‑of‑Living Crunch
- Britain ended the pandemic with an extra £400 billion (roughly S$640 billion) of debt.
- The strain set the stage for a cost‑of‑living crisis, piling even more pressure on public spending.
- Public sentiment cooled, with polls revealing people grew wary of rising living costs.
- Criticism spiked—Sunak’s decision to bump payroll tax clocks clashed starkly with his wife’s tax‑avoiding status.
What’s the Verdict?
While betting firms still see Sunak as a strong contender in the leadership race—despite Labour’s surprising win in the previous contest—his personal stock has dipped. The story reminds us that even once‑ashamed hedge‑fund bosses can’t escape the age‑old age of politics: it’s all about perception, numbers, and, happily, a little levity.
— Updated from UK politics and government insights.
