Rishi Sunak on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: what Prime Minister said on BBC One politics show this morning
and live on Freeview channel 276
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will join Laura Kunessberg on her Sunday morning political talk show today (1 October) ahead of attending the Conservative Party Conference which begins in Manchester this afternoon.
Other guests on the show are Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren.
See our live blog for the up to date talking points from the Prime Minister's interview today.
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
Key Events
This has been a very combative interview for Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak seems geared for war this morning ahead of the Conservative Party conference. He's been incredibly spikey and ardent with his responses.
"Who is the better PM, Boris Johnson or Liz Truss?
"Who is the better PM, Boris Johnson or Liz Truss?" Laura asks.
Sunak, diplomatically, looks to have dodged the question and instead discusses what he is planning to bring to the country.
"Is there anything you admire about Keir Starmer?"
"Is there anything you admire about Keir Starmer?"
"I'm not interested in personalities, I'm interested in doing what's right for this country. I want people to have a clear idea of what I am doing, what I stand for and how I am going to lead the country."
"I'm here to set out a clear set of policies."
... and that's the end of the interview
Very spikey interview from Rishi Suank. The Spectator's Fraser Nelson admits that it is a different Rishi Sunak than he has seen before.
Baroness Casey says it is a rebrand and what we are seeing is that someone is bringing new ideas out, but also states ever authority within the country can squash the 20mph speed limit policy.
No discussion over Suella Braverman's controversial week
Interestingly, there was no discussion over Suelle Braverman's comments that have elicited controversy. Perhaps a united front ahead of the conference?
"A series of non-answers"
Impressionist Jon Culshaw has stated he was amazed at the amount of non-answers Rishi Suank offered during the interview.
"Why can't he just say about HS2 'not yet'?" he remarked.
How can I rewatch Rishi Sunak's interview with Laura Kuenssberg?
The interview is definitely worth a rewatch - and if you missed it or want to see Rishi Suank in combat mode, the show will be available on BBC's iPlayer later today.
A clip from 'Partygate' is shown
Ah - that is why Jon Culshaw is on...
A clip from Channel 4's upcoming 'Partygate' docu-drama is played. We wrote about what it's all about last week which you can check out here.
What did we learn from Rishi Sunak's appearance on 'Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg'?
For those only just waking up, Rishi Sunak's interview has been completed - but did we learn anything from his appearance? Not a great deal, truth be told.
- Immediately, Sunak faced questions about the implementation of 20mph speed limits on roads. He asserts that the fundamental issue with this matter is the perception that there is a growing desire to make life more challenging for car users, a sentiment he disagrees with. Sunak emphasizes that many individuals depend on their cars, and he firmly opposes any notion of a "war on motorists."
- When asked about the authority of councils to establish 20mph zones, Sunak highlights the importance of providing clear guidance from central government to councils and ensuring they have the approval of their local communities. He asserts that councils should refrain from imposing measures without the consent of their constituents, emphasizing that the government is supportive of local communities and their preferences.
- When questioned about his recent emphasis on motorist-friendly policies and whether it is motivated by his position in the polls, Sunak defends his tenure as chancellor. He points out that he achieved a record reduction in fuel duty, as opposed to previous chancellors who merely froze it, resulting in an annual savings of £100 for drivers. Sunak transitioned to the topic of achieving net zero emissions, stating that he has outlined a fresh approach that will lead to substantial savings of "thousands of pounds" for families.
- He insists he has set out a way which is "more pragmatic, more proportionate, more realistic" that will save families money. Sunak says it wasn't a knee-jerk reaction to the Uxbridge by-election saying he has long had concerns about the cost of net zero strategies on families - and says that when he was chancellor he raised concerns at the time.
- Sunak continues by asserting that the United Kingdom has achieved faster decarbonization than any other major G7 economy. He highlights that all nations have set targets for how much they aim to decarbonize by 2030, with the UK having already reduced carbon emissions by 68%. Regarding these targets, Sunak maintains that the UK is firmly on course and not deviating from its path. He expresses confidence that the established goals will be successfully met.
- When questioned about tax cuts, Sunak responds by highlighting that inflation itself can be considered a form of taxation, particularly affecting the most economically vulnerable individuals. He underscores his focus on addressing inflation as a priority. However, he avoids providing a direct commitment to specific tax cuts in response to a question on the matter
- When asked about tax cuts, Sunak reiterates that he views inflation as a form of taxation, one that disproportionately affects the most economically disadvantaged individuals. He underscores his focus on addressing inflation but avoids making a specific commitment to tax cuts.
- Shifting the discussion back to the topic of achieving net zero emissions, Sunak clarifies that the 2050 target is not being abandoned; however, the government's approach to reaching that goal is subject to policy decisions.
- The Prime Minister interjects, asserting that it is incorrect to suggest that the targets have been altered or diluted, emphasizing that they are legally binding and supported by more than a hundred different policies designed to facilitate the transition to net zero emissions. He notes that not all of these policies were included in the 2019 manifesto.
- During the interview, Laura Kuenssberg displays a word cloud representing the phrases that the public commonly associate with the Prime Minister, with a notable focus on his personal wealth. Laura directly questions him about this perception.
- Sunak, however, sidesteps the specific point and responds by emphasizing his commitment to delivering for the people, suggesting that his primary focus is on his responsibilities as a public servant.
- As the interview draws to a close, Sunak asserts his dedication to leading the country toward a better future, one that involves embracing a different approach and bringing about change, aligning with what he perceives as the nation's desires.
- When asked if he admires anything about Keir Starmer, Sunak redirects the conversation by expressing disinterest in personalities and instead emphasizes his focus on clear policies and a well-defined direction of travel.
What did we learn from Rishi Suank regarding plans for HS2?
We think that the whole HS2 debate deserves its own little breakdown:
When questioned about HS2 and whether the line will extend to Manchester, Sunak initially avoids providing a direct response and attempts to shift the conversation to other topics.
Upon being pressed further by Laura, he maintains that he won't comment on speculative information. Sunak highlights that construction has commenced on the first section of HS2, but he refrains from addressing any additional conjecture regarding its expansion.
Sunak acknowledges that there is tangible progress with "spades in the ground," but he reiterates the government's unwavering commitment to the goal of "levelling up." He emphasizes the allocation of new funds to towns across the United Kingdom.
Laura Kuenssberg brings up concerns from businesses about perceived indecision, while Conservative Mayor of Birmingham, Andy Street, expresses his apprehension about the impact on Britain's reputation.
In response, Sunak rejects these assertions and highlights his interactions with international businesses, emphasizing the substantial influx of billions of pounds in investments into the country.
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