It was a shocking moment for the British public when Boris Johnson announced his resignation as prime minister in 2022. After a series of scandals, including Partygate, which revealed that he and his staff had breached lockdown rules by attending social gatherings at Downing Street, Johnson faced mounting pressure from his party and the opposition to step down. He was also widely criticized for handling the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit, and the cost of living crisis. Many people felt betrayed and angry by his lies and incompetence, and hoped for a change of leadership.
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However, their hopes were soon dashed when Lizz Truss, the former chancellor of the exchequer, took over as the new prime minister. Truss, who was once seen as the one to rescue the UK’s economy, quickly proved to be a disappointment and a disaster. Instead of addressing the major challenges facing the country, Truss made a series of policy U-turns and eroded public confidence. She also lost the trust and support of her party, the public, as she failed to deliver on his promises and expectations, and showed a lack of vision and competence. Truss’ premiership only lasted 49 days before she was forced into a humiliating resignation. She was succeeded by Rishi Sunak, a charismatic persona who promised big economic reforms. However, his promises led to more damage than good.
An economic nightmare
Another disastrous decision that Sunak made was to raise taxes and cut spending to deal with the economic fallout of the pandemic and Brexit. Sunak was responsible for the biggest income tax rise in at least 50 years. This decision, not only increased the burden on working people and low-income households, who are already struggling with rising prices and stagnant wages, but also reduced the quality and availability of public services, such as health, education, and social care. Additionally, it undermined the economic recovery and growth, by reducing consumer spending and business investment.
The data and statistics show how harmful and unpopular Sunak’s economic policies are. National Insurance went up by 1.25 pence in the pound in April 2022, affecting anyone earning more than £34,000 a year. Inflation has risen sharply in 2022, to the current rate of 9.1%, the highest since 1991. The UK’s GDP growth rate was 1.5% in the second quarter of 2022, compared to 2.2% in the US and 2.1% in the eurozone.
A security crisis
The final and most alarming decision that Sunak made was to fail to respond effectively to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which started in January 2022. This decision not only endangered the security and stability of Europe and the world, by allowing Russia to expand its aggression and influence but also exposed the UK’s dependence and vulnerability on Russian gas supplies, which account for 40% of the UK’s gas imports. Furthermore, it isolated the UK from its allies, who expected the UK to play a leading role in imposing sanctions and providing military support to Ukraine.
The data and statistics show how weak and isolated Sunak is on this issue. The UK has sent only 200 troops and four fighter jets to Ukraine, compared to 5,000 troops and 20 jets from the US. The UK has imposed only minor sanctions on Russia, such as travel bans and asset freezes, compared to more comprehensive measures from the EU and the US, such as cutting off financial and trade ties. The UK’s gas prices have soared by 300% since the start of the crisis, leading to widespread blackouts and fuel shortages.
A climate catastrophe
One of the most controversial and damaging decisions that Sunak made was to reverse his government’s net zero pledges, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. This decision not only damaged the UK’s credibility and reputation as the host of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow but also alienated key allies, such as the US and the EU, who urged the UK to stick to its commitments. Moreover, it ignored the scientific evidence and the public demand for urgent action on climate change, which is threatening the future of the planet and humanity.
The data and statistics show how unpopular and untrustworthy Sunak is on this issue. According to a YouGov survey following his speech rowing back on green policies, Sunak’s net favorability rating has slumped to -49 (last updated December 2023), marking an all-time low for the prime minister. Only 28% of Britons trust Sunak to make the right decisions on climate change, compared to 46% who trust Labour leader Keir Starmer. Furthermore, 71% of Britons say climate change is a serious problem, and 64% support the net zero target.
A bleak future
the UK is in a leadership crisis because Sunak has failed to fill Johnson’s shoes, and has shown himself to be a worse leader than his predecessor. He has failed to address the major challenges facing the country and has made them worse with his poor decisions and policies. He has lost the trust and support of his party, the public, and the international community, and has shown a lack of vision and competence. The UK needs a new leader who can restore confidence and credibility, and who can tackle the urgent issues of climate change, economic recovery, and global security. The UK should also reconsider its relationship with the EU, and seek to rebuild its alliances and partnerships with other countries. The UK should also invest more in green and innovative technologies, and diversify its energy sources and suppliers. Otherwise, the UK faces a bleak future of decline and isolation.
