February 5, 2023
3 mins read

How has Sunak done in his first 100 days?

More crucially, Conservative MPs with majorities of less than 10,000 votes fear Sunak cannot help them retain their seats…writes Ashis Ray

As the incumbent British Prime Minister has completed 100 days in office, The Times, a centre-right daily, headlined: “How Rishi Sunak’s first 100 days as PM have been shaped by strikes and scandals.”

The leftist Guardian’s heading was: “Ratings sink and obstacles amass as Sunak completes first 100 days as PM.”

The left-of-centre Independent highlighted: “Scandals, sackings and U-turns: Rishi Sunak’s first 100 days in the job.”

But most damaging of all, the right-wing pro ruling Conservative party Daily Mail bemoaned: “Rishi Sunak mocked for “migraine-inducing” new video to mark his first 100 days in office.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks on the phone with Leo Varadkar, the Irish Taoiseach in 10 Downing Street. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Finally, YouGov, a polling agency, extrapolating from data gathered by it, gave its verdict as: “100 days in, Rishi Sunak’s rating are lacklustre and he has failed to salvage the Tory (Conservative) brand.”

It went on to say: “During (Sunak’s predecessor) Liz Truss’s time as Prime Minister the Conservatives plummeted in the headline voting intention polls, with (the main opposition) Labour (party) taking the largest lead over the party — 33 points — since YouGov was founded in 2000.

“Since Sunak has taken over, the polls have stabilised and the Labour lead has narrowed, but nevertheless a significant gap of 20 points remains.”

On the Sunak’s personal rating, YouGov assessed: “The Prime Minister’s personal favourability rating is comparatively better than those of his predecessors, sitting at -29 compared to Boris Johnson’s final score of -40 and Truss’s rock bottom -70.”

More worryingly for the Prime Minister though, the pollster underlined: “Sunak is increasingly seen as a bad Prime Minister, with 56 per cent of Britons saying so as of late January.”

Only 22 per cent of his compatriots would choose him over the opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.

The Mail’s view was: “Mr Sunak’s video attracted a predictably poor reception on social media…”

He is about to lose his third cabinet colleague in as the Guardian put it in “ignoble circumstances” — deputy prime minister Dominic Raab — thereby reflecting an ill-judged choice of ministers.

Rishi Sunak leaves the Conservative Party headquarters in London, Britain, on Oct. 24, 2022. (Photo by Stephen Cheung/Xinhua/IANS)

It is, however, generally conceded the UK Prime Minister’s Office is now much more functional than under Johnson and Truss, albeit Sunak is reportedly still trying to micro-manage where he should be looking at the big picture.

More crucially, Conservative MPs with majorities of less than 10,000 votes fear Sunak cannot help them retain their seats.

In short, it appears to be a tough time ahead for Sunak, popular with many though not all British Hindus.

His cultural and ethnic background, limited experience in politics and a personality seen to be somewhat uncharismatic seem to make it difficult for him to connect with voters, especially working-class Britons.

In Britain, indigenous people expect a politician to be one of them when it comes to letting one’s hair down at a pub in an evening and going to football matches over weekends.

Sunak claims to be a supporter of Southampton Football Club, who play in the English Premier League; but is not reputed to be a natural at a watering hole.

ALSO READ: Sunak marks 100 days as UK PM

ALSO READ: Sunak to join NSA dialogue between Doval, Barrow

Previous Story

Islamabad’s anti-India toolkit uncovered

Next Story

India provides 50 more buses to Lanka

Latest from -Top News

Ould Tah to head AfDB

Tah, a seasoned economist and development financier, will formally assume office on 1 September 2025, taking over from Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the

Big pay bump for SA workers

The landmark move, which follows months of intense negotiations with trade unions, is expected to benefit millions of civil servants across national and provincial departments. South Africa’s government has confirmed a sweeping

Deadly floods ravage Nigeria

Triggered by torrential rains and the collapse of a nearby dam on May 28, 2025, the floods have submerged vast areas, destroyed infrastructure, and displaced thousands of residents. The death toll from

Piyush Goyal Begins Europe Visit

As part of the visit, the minister will meet top leadership of major French companies such as Vicat, Total Energies, L’Oreal, Renault, Valeo, EDF and ATR….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister of

Call to Greylist Pakistan Over Terror Links

Freddy Svane, the former Danish Ambassador to India, said that it is high time for the world to acknowledge that Pakistan remains the epicentre of terrorism in the region….reports Asian Lite News
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Masks to remain compulsory in London public transport

The Labour mayor of London said that he is not

Coronation was just amazing to see, says Jill Biden

An American president has never attended a British coronation and