Displaying items by tag: Rishi Sunak

Thursday, 28 March 2024 22:49

Cabinet mini-reshuffle after two ministers quit

Rishi Sunak has had to make a cabinet reshuffle after two Tory ministers announced their resignations. Robert Halfon, the skills minister, has decided to step down at the next general election. Known for his advocacy of blue-collar Conservatism, he has been a prominent figure in the party. James Heappey has resigned as armed forces minister, having already announced plans to leave parliament. He praised the armed forces and MOD civil servants, reflecting on his tenure and the ongoing need to support Ukraine. The reshuffle includes moving Nus Ghani to be minister for Europe and Leo Docherty to the ministry of defence. To date 63 Conservative MPs, including notable figures like Theresa May and Sajid Javid, have said they plan not to contest the next election. Sunak commended Heappey's contribution to the Government's defence agenda and acknowledged Halfon's commitment to apprenticeships and social mobility. The departures add to the challenges facing Sunak, as the Conservative Party trails significantly behind Labour in polls. See

Published in British Isles
Friday, 16 February 2024 08:17

Labour secures double by-election victory

In the Kingswood and Wellingborough by-elections, the Labour Party achieved significant victories, causing a setback for Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives. Labour’s Gen Kitchen and Damien Egan won in Wellingborough and Kingswood respectively, overturning substantial Conservative majorities. These results mark the ninth and tenth by-election defeats for the government in the current parliament and represent one of the largest swings from Conservatives to Labour. The defeats add pressure on Sunak amidst a recession and strong by-election performances by Reform UK. Labour leader Keir Starmer celebrated these wins as signs of change and trust in Labour. The Conservatives have now suffered the most by-election defeats for a government since the 1960s, which indicates a shift in public sentiment against them.

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Rishi Sunak has expressed willingness to review a report suggesting Northern Ireland should enhance its role in the UK's national security. He did so during Prime Minister’s Questions, where DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson praised Sunak for reviving Stormont's political institutions, strengthening the union, and revitalising Northern Ireland's economy and political landscape. He urged Sunak to consider the Policy Exchange report, which recommends increasing Northern Ireland's contribution to national defence. The report highlights Northern Ireland's strategic importance, advocating for expanded naval and air operations against Russian threats and urging collaboration with regional partners for collective security. Sunak commended Sir Jeffrey's leadership and acknowledged the enhanced union due to the return of devolution.

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Rishi Sunak has proposed compromising some of Britain's Brexit freedoms to encourage the return of devolved government in Northern Ireland. He plans to introduce a requirement that all new laws undergo screening to ensure they won't create additional trade barriers in the Irish Sea, aiming to persuade the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to end its two-year boycott of Stormont, which has paralysed Northern Irish politics. All laws would have to come with a ministerial statement confirming they would not significantly harm internal UK trade. If Britain diverges from EU rules, these checks could increase, potentially blocking new laws that differ from Brussels. Unionists argue that the current arrangement harms the Northern Irish economy. While Sunak's offer aims to guarantee no new laws will create more trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, critics argue it would tether the UK to European standards and limit the benefits of Brexit. The DUP leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has been in talks with the government over returning to power-sharing in Stormont but has faced resistance within his party.

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At London’s Guildhall on Holocaust Memorial Day, Rishi Sunak and others condemned the alarming rise in antisemitism. The day's theme, 'Fragility of Freedom,' highlighted the importance of freedom from fear for all, especially Jewish and Muslim communities. Sunak, in his video address, directly addressed the disturbing increase in antisemitism, emphasising the need to act on the lessons of the Holocaust. He described the resurgence of antisemitism as 'despicable' and 'sickening’. The Chief Rabbi also expressed concern over the ongoing threat of antisemitic attacks. This ceremony comes amid a significant rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia, often connected with the Gaza conflict. Survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides shared their harrowing experiences at the ceremony. Peter Lantos, a Holocaust survivor deported to a Nazi concentration camp at the age of five, recounted the horrors he witnessed, underscoring the day's message of 'never again’.

Published in British Isles
Thursday, 18 January 2024 22:00

Rishi Sunak sees off rebels as MPs back Rwanda bill

Rishi Sunak's Rwanda bill, aimed at preventing legal challenges to the UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, has passed the House of Commons with 320 votes in favour and 276 against. Despite initial concerns from some Conservative MPs, only 11 voted against the bill. The legislation now faces opposition in the House of Lords. Sunak's government argues that this policy will deter migrants from illegally crossing the Channel into the UK. However, Labour criticises it as an ineffective and costly 'gimmick’. The plan has sparked divisions within the Conservative Party, with MPs like Robert Jenrick proposing amendments to bypass parts of human rights law, which were ultimately not adopted. Home secretary James Cleverly defended the bill as a clear message against illegal entry into the UK. The bill's passage in the Commons is a temporary victory for Sunak, but more challenges await in the House of Lords.

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Rishi Sunak has pledged to enact emergency legislation and forge a new treaty with Rwanda to ensure the continuation of his key asylum policy, despite the Supreme Court's ruling against it. The plan had been to deport illegal asylum seekers to Rwanda, but the court expressed concerns that they might face the risk of being returned to their countries of origin, violating international law. Sunak now plans to convert the Rwanda agreement into a treaty to guarantee that relocated asylum seekers remain there. Controversially, he also wants to designate Rwanda as 'safe,' which would not be challengeable in UK courts. However, this legislation would not supersede the European Court of Human Rights, which could still block the flights. The PM’s stance raises significant questions about the UK's adherence to human rights laws.

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In a major reshuffle by Rishi Sunak, James Cleverly has been appointed as the new Home Secretary (after Suella Braverman’s dismissal), and former prime minister David Cameron as Foreign Secretary. Braverman accepted her dismissal, which came after a series of controversies, as mentioned last week. However, her sacking by Sunak has not been universally welcomed within the Conservative Party. MP Andrea Jenkyns, a right-wing party member, criticised the decision, suggesting that she had been dismissed for 'speaking the truth' and accusing Sunak of yielding to left-wing pressure.

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Suella Braverman is facing a backlash after claiming police 'play favourites' with pro-Palestinian protests. Downing Street did not clear the controversial article in which the home secretary criticised the policing of pro-Palestinian marches in London. The prime minister is facing calls to sack Ms Braverman from her position in Cabinet from top Labour shadow ministers and the leader of the Liberal Democrats. The backlash comes after the publication of Ms Braverman's opinion piece in The Times, in which she accused the police of having a softer approach towards left-wing protests. A spokesman for Rishi Sunak said, 'The Prime Minister continues to believe that the police will operate without fear or favour’. Members of the Tory party have also attempted to distance themselves from her 'inflammatory rhetoric', with transport secretary Mark Harper actively disagreeing with her on Times Radio. She also criticised plans for a protest in London on Armistice Day, repeating allegations that its organisers were linked to Hamas and describing them as 'disturbingly reminiscent of Ulster'. She also claimed that pro-Palestinian mobs are 'largely ignored, even when clearly breaking the law'. Earlier, the PM accepted that the planned march on Saturday would go ahead despite opposition from himself and the home secretary.

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Prime minister Rishi Sunak is on a two-day trip to Israel and other Middle East countries, planning to urge leaders in the region to prevent further escalation of conflict. On 19 October he met prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and then flew on to Saudi Arabia. This trip, following on from Joe Biden’s visit, comes after the recent missile strike on Al Ahli Hospital, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinian civilians. The UK is also pushing for the opening of the route into Gaza to allow humanitarian aid and the safe passage of British nationals out of Gaza. Meanwhile, foreign secretary James Cleverly travelled to Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar to seek humanitarian access to Gaza and the release of British hostages. The UK government has announced a £10 million aid package to support vulnerable civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, with half of the funding going to the UN to address critical needs in Gaza. Defence secretary Grant Shapps also met with his US counterpart to coordinate responses to the crisis.

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