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 second this.

I think he was just pointing out that we live in a democracy. How could it possibly be a dig at Gordon. Talk about trying to find something wrong with it. Get a life op and give him a break.

Its not something to ever take for granted.
And it would be exceedingly arrogant and foolish to think so.

I voted Labour, have never voted Tory, and I thought Sunak's speech was wonderful and I really respected him for it.

In my opinion this is a lazy and unfair response to the op.

No.

Absolutely this. And how long did he have in office? And the number of annoying CP MPs he had to try to manage (should imagine difficult) having not been formally elected.

Unlike some on here having a big issue with his wealth, the fact that he chose to do this job despite this says a lot about him and probably means he was much more immune to corruption.

He always struck me as a decent, principled and hardworking. Not much charisma , but then neither does Starmer.

Stepped into the PM role in October 2022, having been given the worst hand possible due to Covid, wars, cost-of-living crisis, Liz Truss (!!) not to mention that fool Boris.

I have a feeling that some of those who swung away from the CP to Reform are closet (or not so closet) racists and just couldn't square that up with having an Asian PM.

Of course it was a dig, just not at Gordon Brown.

It was a nice speech because he doesn't really care, he's off on his jollies for summer and then a bit of work and then off to California for Christmas.

He should be glad that he won't be remembered for also being fined at partygate, the terrible Eat out to help out scheme, ignoring all self-employed people during the pandemic "because of fraud" while handing out fraudulent 50k a pop to others.

What’s with all this sympathy? You obviously don’t live in the real world. Very rich man did a very shit job. Unbelievable…

All the others were peaceful transfers too, until they weren’t 🙄

I think a dig at Trump too but also a reminder and example to everyone everywhere to act like adults.
Something we consider obvious and would expect as normal but the reality is there is chaos across the world right now and some people are pushing the boundaries way too far and get away it. I think highlighting it is a good idea given what we've seen in recent times. It's a "This is how it should be done".

Is our island sensible? Seems to have been a lot of sleaze and racism lately.

The Ottoman Empire ruled Palestine from 1517 to 1917 and Britain from 1917 to 1948. So just over 30 years. It’s not Britain’s mess.

Since when is Sunak an example to everyone? He hasn't called out wrongdoing within his own party, so he can't preach to others.

I see the Tory eulogising of Sunak has begun.

Campaigned for Labour so am not Sunak fan but I thought his speech was dignified.
Lots of places do not have orderly, peaceful transfers of power and we should not take it for granted (see Trump and Capitol Hill riots. Germany just having a trial now for a group that was planning to attack their parliament.). With rising far right sentiment, we should all remember that democracy is not a given.

I also thought his point about being the first Asian PM and his grandparents coming to the UK was powerful and reminder to the right wing, racist elements of the Tories and nutters in Reform about what immigrants can achieve.

Except he has regularly failed to call out racism within his own party, under his tenure.

Ultimately his speech was about managing his reputation so as to best promote his future interests.

Which UK transfers of power in recent memory weren't peaceful?

I think he was reflecting on global issues, you know, so we’re not seen as inward-looking Little Englanders…

"I don't know any of the politicians but I do know that they don't live in the real world, are not affected by the impacts of current living that so many of us are. Because of that, what they say really doesn't matter to me"

I do know one of the new MP's and yes, absolutely does not live in the real world, is propped up by her extremely rich husband and parents whilst spouting hypocritical twaddle about being 'one of the people', and when asked to help people in need did absolutely zero. Regardless of her party, I was gutted to see her gain a seat in parliament

I thought Rishi's speech was excellent, very reflective and respectful. He has left the country in a better economic position than he found it by stabilising the economy and bringing down inflation, and hopefully KS will make excellent use of this foundation to make hard working people more prosperous and improve health and education.

Because Farage I'd in bed with Trump and his lot so it's a dig at him.

I heard it as a commentary on the number of countries that do not have democratic elections, that are run as dictatorships. It was an acknowledgement of the fact that the people of the UK had said enough of his party and voted for change.

I dislike the man and his party, I didn't vote Tory but he is not wrong that we are fortunate in the UK that for the most part our elections are not mired in corruption. That kicks in once power gets to people.

You may not have wanted him to be PM, but at least do him the courtesy of respecting the dignified, decent way that he has left the job.
This. I didn't vote for him, but I thought it was a lovely speech.
And I'm sad to see how bitter some posters are, not being able to see good in anything.

Island? What about Northern Ireland?

Yep, he absolutely failed to call out racism in his party. He was far too weak.

But "calling out" isn't always going to work - you tell Lee Anderson he is a racist and he will not be the least bit bothered. Racists don't really care if you think they are racist.

I'd rather he say something about his immigrant grandparents and his Hindu background in his leaving speech than say nothing about them and his faith. Maybe, just maybe, there might be a few moderate Tories out there who remember that next time party members are banging on about the evils of immigration or multi faith society.

I think we will see rising far right populism over the next few years and rising racism and division. Somehow we have to reach out the people who find that appealing to change their minds and simply "calling them out" as racist is not going to work.