The first King’s Speech for more than 70 years was a festival of the expected: the royal reading of a No. 10 press release. Some dividing lines were drawn between the Tories and Labour and some loose ends tied up – but there was no real change in political direction. ‘It’s a continuance of the direction and path we are on,’ explained a senior government figure.
‘The most inspiring thing Rishi has done is refusing to endorse Braverman’s comments’
But if current polls are any indicator, to continue in the same direction means a landslide Labour victory and a Tory defeat of historic proportions at the next election. ‘It won’t spark rebellion but it certainly won’t lead to much excitement,’ was one MP’s quickfire assessment of the speech. ‘[Rishi Sunak] has slid back into management mode,’ sighs a member of the government.
Sunak wants to fight the general election with a focus on energy and crime.
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