Boris Johnson Shifts Blame for Tory Election Defeat onto Rishi Sunak
In a surprising turn of events, Boris Johnson has pointed the finger at Rishi Sunak for the Conservative Party’s dismal performance in the recent general election. The Prime Minister, in his new autobiography “Unleashed,” referred to Sunak’s ideas in government as “zany” and attributed the party’s defeat, resulting in a mere 121 seats, to the Chancellor.
Johnson dismissed the notion that the election drubbing was due to the Partygate scandals or his controversial lockdown decisions. He refrained from criticising his immediate successor, Liz Truss, who was only briefly mentioned three times in the 738-page book. Instead, he directed his frustration towards Sunak, accusing him of betraying the party’s original agenda and alienating key supporters.
The former Prime Minister lamented how Sunak’s government distanced itself from the accomplishments of his tenure, such as securing Brexit, leading Europe in vaccine delivery, and supporting Ukraine. Johnson highlighted his disagreement with Sunak over policy directions, including the decision to make maths compulsory for 18-year-olds instead of focusing on basic numeracy at a younger age.
Johnson suggested that under his leadership, the Tories could have secured victory by implementing tax cuts before the end of the parliamentary term. He also provided advice for future Tory leaders, emphasising the importance of addressing housing, immigration, skills, NHS, infrastructure, taxation, climate change, and the national attitude towards self-deprecation.
Furthermore, Johnson hinted at a potential betrayal by Sunak, insinuating that the Chancellor was groomed by Michael Gove to spy on him in 2016. The former PM expressed disappointment over Sunak’s handling of economic recovery policies post-Covid and criticised his flip-flop on National Insurance contributions for elderly care.
Despite these revelations, Johnson maintained a nuanced view, acknowledging the historical intricacies of his relationship with Sunak and reflecting on the challenges faced during his political career. The rivalry between Johnson and Sunak adds a new layer of complexity to the Conservative Party dynamics, with implications for future leadership and policy direction.