21 October 2023 , 19:38
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Friday, Rishi Sunak was in Egypt saying exactly the same things he was saying in Saudi a few hours earlier.
It is strange watching Britain’s “soft power” in action – and it really is soft at the moment. The readout from his meeting with the Amir of Qatar said: “They agreed on the urgent need to get food, water and medicine to civilians who are suffering.” Great. Thanks for that. Sums up, really, how we have not really been the influence we should be for quite some time now.
In 2006, Tony Blair had one of those hot-mic moments that upstaged the likes Gordon Brown, Ronald Reagan and David Walliams. Blair was at a G8 lunch in St Petersburg when he was picked up talking to George W Bush about Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice going to the Middle East.
Blair offered to “prepare the ground”. He said the stakes would be lower for him: “If she goes out she’s got to succeed, whereas I can just go out and talk.” And that’s where we are now. Embarrassing, really. There’s not much Mr Sunak can do other than talk and pose for photos. A day or so after the Americans.
The Americans are leading the way, putting the necessary pressure on Egypt to open a humanitarian corridor and get aid supplies moving. Mr Sunak has very little to do. Can you imagine the chats? “We want you to know, your Excellency, our concerns about the terrible situation, the unfolding humanitarian crisis, and the potential for further escalation across the region.”
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The village of Sandiacre, in Derbyshire, was left submerged after heavy rainfall this weekend (HDM Entertainment / SWNS)“Thanks for that, Prime Minister.” (Pause.) “But what happened in Tamworth?” Surely Mr Sunak’s time would be better spent domestically at the moment. Nothing a Foreign Secretary couldn’t handle, a trip to world capitals for an exchange of platitudes. Incidentally, saying “we want you to win” to Israel is a new low in terms of diplomatic expertise. It will not age well. It brought to mind poet Seamus Heaney’s line: “Whatever you say, say nothing.”
Mr Sunak was probably relieved to be away. Batterings in two by-elections the Tories were quietly confident about. Labour absolutely cock-a-hoop, serious questions about an early, early general election and general questions about who’s actually running the country. There’s also an ongoing disaster across the UK.
Thousands without power, people dead, entire towns evacuated. So maybe he could have made an appearance here? When we’re being battered by storms, be nice to see the bloke who’s supposed to be holding the brolly.