Rishi Sunak: I’m a fiscal Conservative (unlike Boris)

When Rishi Sunak told Andrew Neil this evening that he had his eyes on the future, he was ostensibly talking about the nation’s finances. But it was difficult not to conclude from his interview on GB News that he wasn’t also keeping at least one eye on his own future, too. A particularly striking exchange came when Neil asked him what kind of Conservative he is:

Andrew Neil: ‘Beyond the pandemic are you a One Nation conservative, are you a big Government Conservative like the Prime Minister or are you a small government, fiscal Conservative?’

Rishi Sunak: ‘Of course I’m a fiscal Conservative, Andrew, because as we talked about it’s not my money, it’s other people’s money and I take my responsibility to that very seriously and that’s why I’ve got an eye on the future and managing those risks. But it is important to me to deliver our commitments in the manifesto from investing in public services, to spread opportunity around the country.