Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the UK, reiterated his commitment to long-term decision-making and being a leader willing to make tough choices to bring about change in the country. However, the reality is that as a prime minister facing an upcoming election, he has limited time and opportunity to make a significant impact. In his recent King’s Speech, Sunak focused more on framing the election and highlighting the differences between himself and Sir Keir Starmer, rather than presenting a comprehensive program for the government. He emphasized priorities such as increased drilling in the North Sea, tougher sentences for criminals, and stronger support for Israel, all aimed at putting his opponents at a disadvantage. The government’s announcement of new drilling licenses is not only about transitioning to net-zero emissions but also an attempt to portray Labour as unsupportive of working families. Sunak also aims to draw a contrast between himself and Sir Keir on the issue of tougher sentencing, exploiting the Labour leader’s previous stance on life sentences for murder convictions. Additionally, Sunak’s support for Israel through legislation could further divide his own party. However, beyond these election strategies, the King’s Speech lacked a clear vision or big ideas for the country. It consisted of 20 bills that were deemed insufficient by critics, who accused the government of lacking the will to lead. Many important issues were left unaddressed, including banning conversion therapy, mental health legislation, and planning reform for housebuilding. Overall, Sunak’s emphasis seemed to be on managing rather than leading, and the missed opportunity for a reset may further hinder his chances of gaining voter support.
