Coffee House Shots ‘If anything we went too late’: exclusive interview with Sunak’s chief of staff
Dec 6, 2024
Liam Booth-Smith, the former chief of staff to Rishi Sunak, shares candid insights into the inner workings of No. 10 and the political chess match during leadership transitions. He discusses the dynamics of the infamous Sunak-Johnson race for leadership, suggesting the timing for a general election was mismanaged. Booth-Smith also reflects on Rishi's challenging campaign, the Labour party’s struggles in government, and the need for political empathy amidst public criticism, offering a unique view on governance and future possibilities.
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The (Almost) Arm Wrestle
- Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson met to discuss the leadership after Liz Truss's resignation.
- An arm-wrestling suggestion, perhaps by Johnson, was quickly dismissed by Sunak.
A Poisoned Chalice
- Sunak inherited a challenging situation with damaged public trust and economic instability.
- Early decisions in his premiership had a lasting impact, making it difficult to change course later.
A Hasty Handover
- Following Liz Truss's resignation, there was limited time to prepare for the transition.
- Truss's desire to leave quickly meant Sunak had only about 16 hours to form a government and prepare for PMQs.