Another Cabinet Minister Criticizes Rishi Sunak for D-Day Row and Cancelling Press Event
The Prime Minister said he was despondent over the furious backlash to his missing international event. A second cabinet minister publicly criticized Rishi Sunak for missing the D-Day memorial, which later led to the cancellation of his press event as the prime minister’s controversy over the oversight intensified. Another Cabinet Minister Criticizes Rishi Sunak for D-Day Row and Cancelling Press Event
Mr Sunak is said to be “despondent” over the backlash to him missing the international ceremony attended by other world leaders, including US president Joe Biden and French president Emmanuel Macron, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings.
The prime minister did not take media questions on Saturday’s campaign trail after his awkward exchange with broadcasters the previous day. The planned question-and-answer session for journalists was cancelled, with the Conservatives cancelling the “huddle” due to time pressures as Mr. Sunak visited County Durham and Yorkshire.
Instead, the prime minister spoke with volunteers away from public view in a walled garden at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, before attending a village fete in Great Ayton, a North Yorkshire village in his Richmond constituency.
It came just hours after another cabinet minister condemned Mr Sunak’s decision to leave Normany early on Thursday as a “mistake,” as Tory anger at the move continued following the prime minister’s apology.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Saturday morning
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “People make mistakes. The prime minister has made a mistake. He has expressed regret for that.
He did not go quite as far as his cabinet colleague Penny Mordaunt, a Navy reservist, who branded Mr Sunak’s snub “completely wrong” during the BBC’s fiery seven-way TV election debate on Friday evening. The Commons Leader added: “The prime minister has rightly apologised for that, not only to veterans but also to all of us, because he was representing all of us.”
The move prompted a fierce backlash from some Conservatives already nervous about their party’s electoral prospects and political rivals alike, with the outrage swelling after it emerged that Mr. Sunak had returned to the UK from France to record a General Election campaign TV interview.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said people were “flabbergasted” by the prime minister’s decision, which was “such a letdown for our whole country and our history, particularly for our brave veterans”.
During a visit to Newbury on Saturday, he added: “I share the concerns of veterans and people across the country who feel really let down and are upset, and indeed some very angry.”
Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer said it was his “duty” to thank veterans at the D-Day event.
The prime minister’s anonymous source shared with Bloomberg
that Mr. Sunak is despondent about the reaction.
Cabinet ministers expressed their concerns about the prime minister’s judgement due to his misstep. One former loyalist regretted that the Tories had not removed him as prime minister earlier this year.
Several ministers criticized Mr. Sunak’s decision to call a snap general election in July. The economy had not improved at that time. One minister expressed concern that this could lead to an electoral defeat. If that were to happen, Nigel Farage might become the leader of the Conservative Party. Mr. Sunak’s leadership could be viewed as less effective compared to Liz Truss’s, according to the report.
Mr. Farage has announced he will stand as a candidate in Clacton, Essex.
He will do this for Reform UK in the upcoming general election, which takes place on Monday. He has also taken over as leader of the party. Mr. Farage’s announcements have loomed large over the Tory campaign this week. He will stand as a candidate in Clacton, Essex, for Reform UK. He has also taken over as leader of the party. Polls suggest Reform is gaining ground at the expense of the Tories.
Ms. Mordaunt told the debate audience that the D-Day gaffe should not become “a political football.” Mr. Farage replied, “It already is. The veterans are voicing their opinions, claiming he has failed the nation.
The Tories have tried to move on from the row. They are offering new policies, such as axing stamp duty for first-time buyers on homes up to £425,000.
They set out the “Backing Drivers Bill.” The legislation would ban Wales-style blanket 20-mph limits. They also proposed reversing the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) expansion. From inner to outer London.
Sir Keir outlined Labour’s plans for small businesses at a brewery in Camden. Among the plans was an overhaul of the business rate system. Deborah Meaden, a Dragons’ Den investor, made the announcement alongside him.
Sir Ed promoted the Lib Dems’ proposal to invest £50 million a year in maintaining three new national parks. In Newbury, he tried his hand at tennis. In Wokingham, he visited an adventure golf course.
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