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Original poster

To think Sunak should just own being rich?

35 replies

Nonspecificcheese · 12/06/2024 11:58

Just that really - wouldn’t he be better off just saying “look I am very wealthy, I recognise that creates a barrier between me and ordinary people who are struggling, but I’m competent, I do care about people with less, and I have a great team of ministers and advisers with a range of diverse backgrounds and experiences”, rather than trying to pretend he’s a man of the people?

Of course, the statements after “but” would need to be true, and they probably aren’t. But surely there’s some value in being authentic rather than pretending you’re something you’re not?

OP posts:
Wheelbarrowbabe · 12/06/2024 12:23

That would work but the problem he doesn't care about people with less and that's obvious.

His being rich is a specifically a problem for him because the principle aim of the conservative party is to maintain and extend that privilege. So the two things add up. He's from a privileged class, he wants to serve the privileged class.

The Tories try to make themselves electable by distorting their political purpose and attempting to hide or downplay their membership of the privileged class

Eg we're not serving the rich and advantaged, we're actually about rewarding hard work, and you're hard working aren't you?

Or
I'm just an everyman like you I like to enjoy a pint sort of thing

These distortions are exposed by their posh private educations, utterly distinct social landscape (eg not knowing the price of common supermarket items) and vast personal wealth.

A politician belonging to a party with different aims wouldn't have to conceal those aims by pretending they're not from a privileged class / pretending they're not wealthy / expensively educated / whatever. They could own it as you say. These things might still be a problem but far less of a problem.

GasPanic · 12/06/2024 12:17

SerendipityJane · 12/06/2024 12:09

A very real question is what good has he done with this wealth ?

Maybe it's more a question of whether it is actually his wealth to do good with ?

I'm sure that he would comfortably be a millionaire on his own, but it is his wife's family that appear to hold the serious wealth AFAICT.

SerendipityJane · 12/06/2024 12:09

A very real question is what good has he done with this wealth ?

GasPanic · 12/06/2024 12:07

He is rich.

But he wasn't bought up in the massive wealth he has now. More a middle/upper middle class upbringing.

So I think the idea he is completely detached from the reality of normal living is somewhat unfair.

CarolineFields · 12/06/2024 12:06

FuckTheClubUp · 12/06/2024 12:04

Oh no what has he done now?! He’s so tone deaf I can’t take him seriously

he believes he had a deprived childhood because his parents had to "sacrifice" having a sky tv subscription

Bushmillsbabe · 12/06/2024 12:05

We are British, we always find something to criticise. I'm not a fan of his, bit there is no winning

He sends his kids to private school 'he isn't in the real world, he is elitist etc'

Kier Starmer send his kids to outstanding state schools 'why is he using these excellent places when could afford private. He should give those yo someone who really needs them'

AmelieTaylor · 12/06/2024 12:04

@Nonspecificcheese

It would have helped. A bit late now though.

he should never have been PM.

But it's not like they were blessed with better options.

FuckTheClubUp · 12/06/2024 12:04

Oh no what has he done now?! He’s so tone deaf I can’t take him seriously

EmmaGrundyForPM · 12/06/2024 12:03

There's already a thread running on this. People are severely pissed off with him over this.

Crucible · 12/06/2024 12:01

He isn't competent. That's the crux of the problem. So the first statement after the 'but' really does pull the plug. Cameron and Johnson weren't either. Classic Peter Principle.