In a cabinet of duds, Rishi Sunak is typically regarded as having had a good crisis. After becoming Chancellor in February 2020 at the age of just 39, he is now the country’s most popular politician and the favourite to succeed Boris Johnson as Conservative leader.
Sunak’s popularity is not hard to comprehend. In the early months of pandemic, as Johnson fatally prevaricated, the Chancellor acted decisively by introducing the furlough scheme – paying 80 per cent of workers’ wages up to £2,500 a month – to prevent mass unemployment. Next to his inept colleagues, Sunak stood out for his eloquence, easy manner and air of competence.
Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month
Content from our partners
