-
Advertisement
Britain
OpinionLetters

Letters | Rishi Sunak’s gamble of a cabinet reshuffle won’t pay off

  • Readers discuss the multiple challenges facing Britain’s governing party, paying attention to teachers’ mental health, and the introduction of police patrols on Hong Kong buses

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks at a news conference in Downing Street in London, UK, on November 15. Photo: Bloomberg
Letters
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at [email protected] or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification.
When Rishi Sunak became Britain’s third prime minister in less than two months in October last year, he promised to bring political stability and economic competence back to 10 Downing Street after the chaotic premierships of his two predecessors, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson. However, after just one year in office, Sunak finds himself facing massive economic and political problems that threaten his government and the wider country.
The UK is grappling with a cost-of-living crisis. There are open political splits within Sunak’s own Conservative Party. Last week, his government was dealt a major blow when the UK Supreme Court ruled that his Rwanda migrant policy was unlawful.
Advertisement
The cabinet reshuffle last week has offered a unique opportunity for former UK prime minister David Cameron to resurrect his political career by drawing on his extensive political experience, particularly in foreign policy. Time will tell whether Cameron will be able to help the flagging UK government under Sunak.
Sunak’s reshuffle – which included firing Suella Braverman as home secretary – is an attempt to undermine the party’s right-wing faction and appease the more liberal-minded Conservative voters. But doing so may cause the more right-wing Tory voters to consider an alternative political party, such as the populist Reform UK.
Advertisement

His move is likely to backfire and increase the ideological splits in the party, particularly amongst Conservative backbench MPs, who tend to be anti-immigrant and pro-Brexit. They are likely to continue to voice their dissent in the coming months.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x