ASpeaking to a cheering party crowd at Tory headquarters, Britain’s next Prime Minister began with an odd-looking tribute to Liz Truss. Of course it is appropriate in a party, especially when there are bridges to be built, that the predecessor is thanked for his service to the nation. But the only one who owes Truss anything is probably Sunak himself. Without her resignation after less than 50 days in office, during which little more than economic damage was done to the country, he would not have ended up at the head of the party.
Sunak was quieter than usual, less boastful. With “integrity and humility” he will lead the country, which is facing “fundamental economic challenges”. Governing Britain is “the privilege of my life,” he said, citing restoring “unity and stability” as his top priority. Before his short speech, in a conversation with members of parliament, he is said to have expressed himself more clearly: The Tories are “faced with the choice: agree or die”.