When Rishi Sunak was prime minister, he often appeared merely to be commentating on events, rather than in charge of them. Perhaps that is why he looks so comfortable as leader of the opposition now. He has been giving very good speeches since losing the election, and both he and his party look rather relieved to be out of government. They are currently in the opposition honeymoon period, before the reality of no-one being interested in what you have to say really hits.
Sunak’s response to the King’s Speech today was generous and thoughtful. It included some amusing jokes, including his advice to the rising stars on the opposite benches: ‘Life comes at you fast. Soon you might be fortunate enough to be tapped on the shoulder and offered a junior ministerial role. Then you’ll find yourself attending cabinet, then in the cabinet. And then when the prime minister’s position becomes untenable, you might end up being called to the highest office, and before you know it, you have a bright future behind you.
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