Suella Braverman's explosive letter decoded - what she actually meant
Suella Braverman’s resignation letter was not a parting shot but a declaration of war. The former Home Secretary tore into Rishi Sunak for breaking his promises, misleading the public and offering weak leadership.
Here’s what she wrote and what it means:
What she wrote: “I accepted your offer to serve as home secretary in October 2022 on certain conditions. Despite you having been rejected by a majority of party members during the summer leadership contest and thus having no personal mandate to be Prime Minister, I agreed to support you because of the firm assurances you gave me on key policy priorities.”
What it means: Braverman is insinuating that Sunak would not have become leader without her support. She then gratuitously twists the knife by reminding Sunak he lost to Liz Truss in the leadership election.
Braverman claims she only gave her backing after he promised to take a tough line on immigration, replace all existing EU laws and withdraw from the European Convention of Human Rights if that was the only way to stop the Channel crossings. If Sunak did make a “pact” it implies he sold his soul to the right of the Tory Party in order to become leader.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Prime Minister is under pressure (PA)What she wrote: “You have manifestly and repeatedly failed to deliver on every single one of these key policies. Either your distinctive style of government means you are incapable of doing so. Or, as I must surely conclude now, you never had any intention of keeping your promises.”*
What it means: The former Home Secretary claims Sunak reneged on the deal they struck when she agreed to back him for the top job. An alternative reading is the Prime Minister refused to back her right-wing agenda when he realised it was potentially illegal, damaging to the economy and unpopular with voters. Either way, it makes Sunak look shifty.
If you can't see the poll, click here
What she wrote: “I regret to say that your response has been uncertain, weak, and lacking in the qualities of leadership that this country needs. Rather than fully acknowledge the severity of this threat, your team disagreed with me for weeks that the law needed changing.”
What it means: Braverman claims she repeatedly pressed Sunak to bring in tougher laws to prevent demonstrations such as the pro-Palestinian march this weekend. There is no acknowledgement her comments might have fuelled tensions or her proposed laws might have trampled over free speech. Behind the character assassination is her belief that Sunak, one of the most right-wing leaders in recent history, is not right wing enough. Braverman is well aware that Labour frequently attacks the Prime Minister for being “weak”. Her comments were calculated to sting.
My letter to the Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/7OBzaZnxr2
— Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman)
What she wrote: “Someone needs to be honest: your plan is not working, we have endured record election defeats, your resets have failed and we are running out of time. You need to change course urgently. I will, of course, continue to support the government in pursuit of policies which align with an authentic conservative agenda.”
What it means: You would expect the first sentence from a Labour MP, not someone who served in the cabinet until this week. Braverman is putting the boot in by reminding Sunak he is 20 points behind in the polls, has lost a string of by-elections in previously safe seats and his relaunches have flopped. Ouch. Then she issues her threat: her support is conditional on the Government following an “authentic” agenda. In other words, she wants a leader who genuinely right wing. Perhaps someone like herself?
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
