Hours after promising his government would be distinguished by “integrity,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed Suella Braverman to the Home Office’s portfolio. The trouble is, the minister had left office less than a week ago, forced out by Liz Truss after admitting to violating security rules by sending classified documents from a private email. The motto was the first strike by opposition leader Keir Starmer, who accused Sunak of making a “dirty deal” to come to power during the first meeting in the House of Commons this Wednesday.
Braverman left the government on the eve of Truss’s own resignation, taking responsibility for her mistake and criticizing the then Prime Minister for not doing the same. Despite also having ambitions to become leader, the Conservative Party right-wing representative supported Sunak’s candidacy – which was essential for him to be elected without opposition. His appointment to the government would serve to fulfill the promise to reunite the party after Truss’ disastrous 49 days in power.
Starmer accused Sunak of being “so weak that he made a dirty deal in exchange for national security because he was afraid of losing another leadership election” – he was defeated by Truss in the militant ballot in the summer. “There is a new conservative at the top but, as always with them, the party first, the country second.” he added, urging the issue and reiterating that he should call elections.
The Prime Minister was prepared for the attack and noted that Braverman acknowledged his mistakes. “I was therefore delighted to welcome her back to a unified cabinet that brings experience and stability to the heart of the government.” And he counterattacked, saying the minister will focus on fighting crime and defending Britain’s borders, accusing Labor of being “soft on crime” and wanting “unlimited immigration”. In the general election, he accused the Labor leader of defending a second referendum on Brexit, hoping to reverse a British decision in the polls.
Starmer also attacked Sunak over the law that allows those not born in the UK to pay tax only on income earned within its borders – something the Prime Minister’s wife, who was born in India, took advantage of. and heir to one of the greatest country’s fortunes. Sunak dodged the issue, reiterating that he pledged to protect the most vulnerable when it was necessary to make “difficult decisions” in the budget.
The new head of government’s first day at work was also dominated by the postponement of the medium-term budget plan. The presentation was scheduled for next Monday, but Treasury Secretary Jeremy Hunt postponed it to November 17, claiming the situation is more stable and more time is needed to make the predictions as accurate as possible.
In addition, Sunak has banned frackingwho had been raised by Truss in areas that had been green-lighted by the local authorities – although he himself had argued for it during the summer campaign.
Source: DN
