The View from Westminster

Monday, December 11, 2023 The tragedy of Rishi Sunak Rishi Sunak would have made a good prime minister, on the basis of his evidence to the Covid inquiry, if he had taken over at a better time. He showed unusual grasp of the detail, rebutting most of Hugo Keith's feeble attempts to portray him as a heartless bean counter by quoting documents in front of him.  He also made liberal use of what Boris Johnson calls "the blessed sponge of amnesia", especially to avoid criticism of his predecessor. Despite having resigned as chancellor over "fundamental" differences, including on propriety, the non-aggression pact between one prime minister and his successor held.  As usual, I don't think we learnt anything new from today's proceedings, and certainly nothing that would assist a future government in dealing with a different public health emergency.    Quiz question  A Gallup poll of Great Britain asked in July 1939: "Should refugees be allowed to enter Great Britain?" Four per cent had no opinion; what percentage said yes: 25, 40, 55 or 70 per cent? Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing Sunak in crisis as Tory rebels' 'star chamber' rejects his Rwanda bill PM's legislation does 'not go far enough', say Tory critics – urging him to 'pull the bill' ahead of crunch Commons vote tomorrow British public backs closer relationship with EU, new poll shows British Future poll found 52 per cent would like a closer relationship, 12 per cent a more distant one and 27 per cent would keep things as they are Nigel Farage hints at return to frontline politics after jungle exit Released from the Australian jungle, the Reform UK president attacked both Tories and Labour Most commented Articles driving the biggest conversations Labour's Wes Streeting claims 'wasteful' NHS uses winter crises as excuse for cash Now Starmer says Thatcher was 'terrible'… make your mind up, 'Sir Flip-Flop' What else do you need to know today? ● The government has published a "policy paper" setting out the "legal position" of the Rwanda bill; this is not the government's "legal advice" as such – the convention that such advice is confidential remains  ● Labour has sought to exploit the prime minister's appearance at the Covid inquiry by claiming it would pursue coronavirus support fraud more vigorously than the government; the party's Twitter account made what seems to me the unrealistic claim that "we'll ... claw back every penny of taxpayer's money" ● Angela Smith, the Labour MP who defected to Change UK and then to the Liberal Democrats, has been selected as Labour candidate for the winnable seat, St Austell and Newquay  Reading list ● I wrote at the weekend about the jostling to succeed Rishi Sunak, with Kemi Badenoch the favourite to be leader of the opposition after the election ● Ryan Henson, a member of the Social Mobility Commission, on changing negative attitudes among white working-class families (such as his) towards education (Independent Premium) ● Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, on Labour's EU dilemma ● Giorgia Ambo is not offended when people ask where she is "really" from (Independent Premium) Inside the bubble Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for tomorrow Rishi Sunak will chair the cabinet's weekly meeting. Their minds will be firmly on the scale of the Tory rebellion in the Commons vote on the second reading of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill due at 7pm. MPs will sit at 11.30am for questions on foreign affairs without David Cameron, the foreign secretary. But the peer will give evidence to the Commons European scrutiny committee on UK-EU relations at 2pm.  The Metropolitan Police will give evidence to the Home Affairs Committee on the policing of protests at 9.30am.  Keir Starmer will make a speech marking the fourth anniversary of the 2019 general election, to underline how Labour has changed since.  Quotation of the Day "It is wholly unacceptable for the Scottish government to promote foreign policies which are at odds with those of the United Kingdom government." Alister Jack, Scottish secretary Quiz answer: 70 per cent 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