Suella warns Sunak of ‘oblivion’ over Rwanda bill

The View from Westminster

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Braverman attacks Sunak, as Boris Johnson fends off Covid questions They say living well is the best revenge. Sacked home secretary Suella Braverman is having none of that – refusing to give up on her bitter attacks on Rishi Sunak. In a fiery Commons speech, she told the PM he must ignore the ECHR and other human rights laws in his Rwanda bill or face "electoral oblivion".   Sunak is said to have ruled out a radical move to opt out of the ECHR, amid warnings that up to 10 moderate ministers could resign if he pushed ahead with it. Braverman's allies on the right are angry. Very angry. Some are said to have submitted letters of no-confidence in Sunak on Wednesday.   Over at the Covid inquiry, Boris Johnson managed to bat away the most awkward criticisms made by ex-advisers and former colleagues. But he admitted the initial response should have been quicker, cited mad cow disease for the failure to understand the enormity of the crisis, and admitted that the pandemic's impact on the NHS "bewildered" him.   My colleague John Rentoul will be answering readers questions on Boris' appearance at the Covid inquiry tomorrow. You can submit a question using this link. Quiz question  Count Nikolai Tolstoy stood unsuccessfully several times between 1996 and 2010 as a parliamentary candidate for which party? Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing Boris says mad cow disease crisis made him sceptical of Covid threat Ex-PM admits he shouldn't have shaken hands of Covid patients, and suggest he didn't believe forecasts. Sunak 'rules out quitting ECHR' as Suella Braverman attacks The PM is facing no confidence letters from Tory right, as he refuses to opt out of the ECHR with his Rwanda bill. EU to suspend Brexit tariffs on electric cars Brussels has moved to delay 10% charge on EVs sold between UK and EU for three years. Most commented Articles driving the biggest conversations Jacob Rees-Mogg: Keir Starmer would be welcomed by the Tories with open arms Keeping up with the Johnsons: what Boris and Carrie have been up to (and plan next) What else do you need to know today? ● Veteran TV executive Samir Shah – the co-author of Boris Johnson's controversial race report – is the new chairman of the BBC. ● Sunak has stopped short of introducing the Hillsborough Law demanded by campaigners, as he issued an apology to bereaved families in the Commons. ● Ask John Rentoul anything about Boris Johnson's Covid inquiry appearance. It will be here on The Independent's site at 11am tomorrow – get your questions in now: first asked, first answered. Reading list ● The Independent's Andrew Grice looks at whether Boris Johnson can win back the Tory faithful with a credible Covid inquiry performance. ● Andrew Adonis gives his take on Boris's Covid inquiry evidence so far. ● Femi Oluwole on why Starmer's praise for Thatcher is so significant. ● Prospect magazine's Sam Freedman has damning take on 13 long years of Conservative failure. Inside the bubble What to look out for tomorrow Boris Johnson will start his second of two days of evidence to the Covid inquiry, also at 10am. Can he remain calm as he continues to dismiss criticism? Also worth keeping an eye on James Bowler, the permanent secretary of the Treasury, who gives evidence about government borrowing to the public accounts select committee from 10am.   After questions to Steven Barclay, the new environment secretary and his ministerial team at 9.30am, and to Victoria Prentis, the attorney general, at 10.10am, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt makes a statement about next week's parliamentary business.  Quotation of the day "It's now or never … The Conservative party faces electoral oblivion in a matter of months if we introduce yet another bill that is destined to fail. Do we fight for sovereignty? Or do we let our party die?" Suella Braverman, ex-home secretary Quiz answer: Ukip The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy