UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is confronted with his first no-confidence letter following the dismissal of Interior Minister Suella Braverman. In a scathing letter to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady, Sunak’s party MP Andrea Jenkyns criticized him for removing “our democratically elected leader Boris Johnson” and declared, “Enough is enough.”
Key Points:
- Accusations Against Rishi Sunak:
- Andrea Jenkyns accused Rishi Sunak of dismissing Boris Johnson, a move she deemed “unforgivable.”
- She criticized the removal of Suella Braverman, the only cabinet member she claimed spoke the truth about the state of streets and the policing system.
- Jenkyns expressed her disagreement with Sunak’s leadership and submitted the no-confidence letter to “stand up and fight for true Conservatism.”
- Potential Confidence Vote:
- A confidence vote in Rishi Sunak’s leadership would be triggered if 15% of Conservative MPs submitted letters expressing a desire for a change in leadership.
- Reasons Behind Cabinet Reshuffle:
- Suella Braverman’s firing was part of a broader cabinet reshuffle initiated by Rishi Sunak. The reshuffle also saw the return of former UK PM David Cameron as foreign minister.
- Suella Braverman faced criticism for an unauthorized article accusing the police of “double standards” at protests, alleging bias based on political affiliations.
- Other Changes in the Cabinet:
- UK Environment Secretary Therese Coffey stepped down, and former Health Secretary Steve Barclay replaced her.
- Victoria Atkins assumed Steve Barclay’s former role in the Department of Health.
- Richard Holden replaced Greg Hands as the party chairman.
- Sunak’s Response to Reshuffle:
- Rishi Sunak defended the reshuffle on social media, emphasizing the creation of a united team capable of making bold decisions for the country’s long-term benefit.
Rishi Sunak’s leadership faces internal challenges as discontent within his party surfaces. The no-confidence letter signals a growing rift, and the subsequent developments will determine the political landscape in the coming days.
Source: Hindustan Times
