Rishi Sunak walks out of interview after Boris question

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Ewen Stewart issued the warning amid speculation over the Prime Minister’s future as he attempts to shore up his authority after a series of revelations about parties in Downing Street during Covid lockdowns. The comment also comes as William Wragg, who chairs Parliament’s Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, said some MPs had faced intimidation and blackmail due to their desire to topple Mr Johnson.

Mr Stewart writes that getting rid of the “hapless” Mr Johnson, whose “many enemies are determined to make his life impossible”, might be the easy bit.

But he asks whether Conservative MPs really believe any of the contenders for the crown are stronger political animals or likely to deliver the reforms urgently needed to create the free country promised by Brexit.

He continues: “The Tory [MPs] who are considering the PM’s fate should consider carefully if any of the alternatives are realistically any better. Almost certainly not, I should say.”

Leading rivals among the Tories include Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, 41, and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, 46.

On a visit to Australia, Ms Truss said she supported Mr Johnson.

She said: “The Prime Minister has my 100 percent support. I want the Prime Minister to continue as long as possible in his job. He is doing a fantastic job. There is no leadership election.”

On Tuesday, Mr Sunak refused to confirm his unequivocal backing for Mr Johnson, ending an interview early as he was questioned.

He called for patience while top civil servant Sue Gray completes a Whitehall investigation into the allegations of parties at Downing Street.

READ MORE ABOUT PALACE PANIC OVER PRINCE ANDREW

The Chancellor said he “of course” believed the PM’s account of a drinks event in the garden of No.10 at the height of the first Covid lockdown in May 2020.

Mr Stewart warns in his piece, published in Brexit-Watch.org, that while Mr Sunak may be popular, due to the idea that “[p]eople giving [lollipops] generally are”, he has presided over £350billion of “unnecessary” lockdown spending, the highest taxes in 70 years and “delusional” monetary policy.

He claims Ms Truss “talks a good game”, but her history for backing Remain led him to question the Foreign Secretary’s appreciation of the small state and personal freedom.

He asks: “Is she really strong enough to challenge vested interests? Perhaps, but [it’s] mightily unproven and a huge gamble.”

DON’T MISS: 
Claims Meghan and Harry to leave £11million mansion torn apart [REVEALED] 
Photo’s ‘incredible insight’ into Andrew’s relationship with Epstein [REPORT] 
Germany’s ban on UK Army planes ‘will encourage’ Russia attack [LATEST]

Jeremy Hunt is dismissed while Steve Baker “would probably” get Mr Stewart’s vote, although “in the real world” he is “unlikely” to gain the support of backbench MPs.

The City economist adds that a better way forward would be to hold Mr Johnson’s feet to the fire and to the promises which won the Tories a landslide victory in 2019, including a “carefree liberalism”, support for “the small guy”, a smaller state and lower taxes.

He writes: “Brexit was a cry for wider reform which the Establishment has not only ignored but have deliberately undermined.” 

But in respect of the PM’s future, he notes: “Johnson is severely damaged but in my view for the wrong reasons.  It should be questions over policy not a party or even parties he almost certainly did not organise that has got him in trouble.”

He recommends bringing back as Chief of Staff former Brexit minister Lord Frost, who resigned in December out of concern at the Government’s direction of travel over Covid.

Mr Stewart notes: “In my view Boris Johnson has thus far been a very great disappointment. He may have just about ‘got Brexit done’, if you’re not from Ulster, but he’s done nothing with it. Where is the smarter, lower regulation, lower tax, lower migration route that was so warmly implied?”

The Director of Global Britain lists protection from regulation, free enterprise and the daily politicisation of the country’s history, values and culture as among the details on which Mr Johnson should focus.

He concludes: “Britain has a God-given opportunity here to build on its numerous strengths to become a real beacon of freedom and liberty based on trusting the individual, greatly reducing the scale and scope of the state and with it taxation.

“Such policies will be self-funding, raise tax revenues and provide for a secure and safe state. Johnson had those instincts. Who knows if he still does, but with a majority of 78 or so, if the blob is ignored and a determined [Chief of Staff] at his side, Britain still can rebuild and quickly.

“So in conclusion, last chance saloon? Yes, but hold the line and keep the feet to the fire.”

Source: Read Full Article