He’s the smiling prime minister. The striding purposely forward, firmly handshaking, full of positive intent and commitment prime minister. He’s completely different to his two immediate predecessors, and that cannot be by chance. Political advisers, PR teams and Tory Central Office, only too aware that the party is lagging miles behind in all the polls, have embarked on a carefully considered change of tactics in the presentation and style of our latest PM. He’s the bearer, as much as is possible, of “exciting news” – in fact, “exciting” seems to be the buzzword when Sunak is around. He was “excited” to share fresh plans with France’s President Emmanuel Macron, to strengthen military ties and step up efforts to prevent refugees from crossing the Channel in small boats. He was “excited” to offer the people of Northern Island, the best of both worlds with his so-called Windsor Framework, saying the province would be in the “unbelievably special position of having privileged access, not just to the UK home market, but also to the European Union single market.” When some pointed out that the whole of the UK enjoyed exactly that before Brexit, the issue was swiftly skirted around, because the future for Northern Ireland was so “exciting”. Sunak is also choosing his friends wisely. While Boris Johnson was anybody’s friend when it suited, Liz Truss looked set to be nobody’s friend, stating in the run-up to her election as prime minister, that the jury was out on whether Macron was a friend or foe to the UK, and that the best way to deal with then Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, was to ignore her. Sunak is much more carefully managed. Whenever possible he is kept away from commenting on the most controversial issues facing the government. But when there is no other option – he smiles.
