Sunak’s concession speech wtf?

[tamade]

“Today power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner”

Was their ever any doubt? Why say it? Was it a dig at Gordon Brown?

I just find it jarring.

I am no fan of the tories but I think saying that and not stoking the already inflamed parts of the country that voted for Reform was the right thing to do to and shows we are a democratic country

Boris would have done some stupid scaremongering comment that would have rallied the idiots

I thought it was a really good speech

i raised an eyebrow at that but then realised it’s an international stage and other countries aren’t necessarily having peaceful experiences of handover so perhaps worth a mention for that reason.

I thought his speech was really striking because I can’t recall a politician saying “sorry” so clearly and simply. I said on the main thread, maybe it’s happened before and I just don’t remember.

But I appreciate him saying that. I know there’s a ton of PR reasons to do it but it feels like no one ever actually says it.

I thought the deathly silence on exit felt wrong but I might be misremembering the departure of other politicians.

it all blends into one after a while.

This was my feeling. No Iove for conservatives or Rishi but I thought it was dignified and respectful

This! Trump and France, and a reminder that whatever our division we prize orderliness and the rule of law.

It's also a veiled warning, I think, about the Palestine rallies, Just stop oil, the targeting of women handing out leaflets etc.

We really need to stay on top of civility because it's more fragile than it first appears.

We are moving backwards around the world on democracy, freedom of speech, women's rights etc.

Regardless of smallish differences of domestic policy, we need to hang on to shared values.

I am no fan of Sunak or Tories but thought it was a gracious and grown up speech and infinitely better than we would have had from his recent predecessors had they still been in the top seat.

Same for Hunt’s speech.

I found it sad that they recovered a sense of seriousness and respect that has been sorely lacking in politics since the ‘sperm filled Catherinewheel’ as Johnson was called on X recently took power, only after they had been catastrophically beaten.

I’m hopeful that this, plus the dregs of the Tory party like Gullis being out on their arse, sets the tone for a more serious parliament where debates can be had on actual points of politics rather than name calling and braying.

Though with Garbage now having a voice in parliament, that might be an ill founded hope.

He was trying to be gracious in defeat.

But I can understand why it might be misinterpreted as it was so unlike the campaign he's led and the way he's behaved since taking office.

... but.. bonkers to think it was a dig at anyone, let alone Brown.

Dignified. Respectful. Appreciating how lucky we are to live in a safe, democratic country.

👏🏾

Agree with this. He shouldn’t shoulder all the blame himself, his two most recent predecessors created the rot that led to this outcome.

It was a super speech and also so were those of Hunt, Mordaunt and Shapps.

We should be proud of our democratic system, I am.

anotherbusybee · Today 12:55
"Because our "little island" is the one who helped create that mess if you would care to study a little bit of history.

And lest we forget, Gandhi and Nelson Mandela were also considered terrorists but all fine now with a little whitewashing, hey.

And "fuck all we can do"? We supply arms and provide cover at the ICC, ICJ and the UN so i would say we do a little more than "fuck all" "

This,

Great speech. Dignified and gracious in defeat. Said all the right things , thanked the right people and acknowledged failure.

I also agree with a PP who said they only found some decency now.

I hope this draws a line under the escalating audacity of the last few years

I thought his speech was very dignified and respectful. I agree that he shouldn't be blamed for everything. Truss did the real unnecessary damage

Exactly this and I am not a fan.

And Truss having to be slow clapped on stage to face her loss speaks volumes. Sunak was a far more dignified in defeat.

Absolutely, we cannot take this for granted and I think too often people do.

I really don’t want to side track this thread as the election has already been won and the voice of the people well and truly heard. But Sunak was the last man standing holding over a decade worth of ever increasing shit from his predecessors. He could have done better but personally I think he tried his best given he knew he’d very likely be the leader of an utterly humiliated party come next election. Starmer is starting from a clean sheet, not expected to ‘fix’ things whilst also being held to previous account/party lines and promises. Out of all the Tory leaders post Cameron, I think he has been the only one who did care beyond his own personal and political gains. But that is simply my opinion.

I think there’s cross party concerns about the rise of divisive politics, there was also the trouble around at Jess Phillips constituency, and I think Rishi and Keir behaved like the grown ups that we should always have and should always have had with their respect for each other - the only thing sad is that they have to mention it so clearly.

@KeirSpoutsTwaddle ”Regardless of smallish differences of domestic policy, we need to hang on to shared values”

yes we really do. And I appreciated him saying it’s the best country in the world. My ancestors arrived absolutely years and years ago and felt so lucky to be here so I appreciated his comment about his grandparents and how we just “are” a country where his situation can happen.

I know a lot of people are hating on him right now - but the speech was good and while he has pissed me off with some of his rhetoric, I think that outgoing speech should be acknowledged. More statesman like than I’ve heard in a while.

Sunak has made mistakes, but I don’t think this is one of them. We should not take for granted the fact that power has passed over peacefully. I couldn’t have imagined the US scenario before it happened. So be grateful we don’t have that to deal with.

Wasn't he just honouring the dignified transfer of power. Why must it mean more?

Right let's move forward now

Why does any of it matter? He’s yesterday’s news.