- Thursday, March 13, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
FOR former UK chancellor of exchequer Rishi Sunak, the case of ministers being briefed incorrectly about the appointment of a member of the British parliament known for misconduct to a key government post proved too much.
While the 42-year-old, who is the first Indian-origin politician to hold the high UK cabinet office of the exchequer, did not take the name of now-suspended former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher by name in his withering resignation letter, his tone made it abundantly clear that British prime minister Boris Johnson’s late admission of error on Pincher’s appointment was the last straw.
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Sunak, who is often seen as a rising star of British politics, was candid not only about the incompetence of the government the error reflected but also about his disappointment with his boss’s handling of the economic policy through the tough post-pandemic times.
“Our country is facing immense challenges. We both want a low-tax, high-growth economy, and world-class public services, but this can only be responsibly delivered if we are prepared to work hard, make sacrifices and take difficult decisions,” read Sunak letter handed in on Tuesday (5).
“I firmly believe the public are ready to hear that truth. Our people know that if something is too good to be true then it’s not true. They need to know that whilst there is a path to a better future, it is not an easy one,” he said.
The former minister also went on to refer to a proposed joint speech on the economy next week, which had made it clear that their approaches to tackling the economic crisis are “fundamentally too different”.
It exposes the ongoing tension beyond the partygate scandal, which had also engulfed him with a fine imposed for being present in the Cabinet Room of 10 Downing Street in June 2020 when the prime minister was surprised with a birthday cake.
Those close to Sunak revealed he was ready to exit when he received the Covid law-breaking fine from the Metropolitan Police earlier this year because he felt wrongly tarnished as he was there for an official meeting.
However, it seems Johnson was able to convince his ally to stay on and even got his backing in the vote of no confidence last month.
“I have been loyal to you. I backed you to become leader of our party and encouraged others to do so,” notes Sunak’s letter but goes on to declare the British public expect the government to be conducted “properly, competently and seriously”.
Johnson’s lengthy response to Sunak reflected his deep disappointment in losing a minister who was also a friend until recently.
“I have enormously valued your advice and deep commitment to public service and will miss working with you,” said Johnson, as he praised Sunak’s actions of bringing in the furlough scheme to save jobs during the pandemic lockdown.
[With PTI inputs]
