In his first major speech as UK prime minister, at the start of 2023, a hopeful Rishi Sunak announced “five promises” to show that his government would “always reflect the people’s priorities”. Alongside familiar pledges to reduce inflation and grow the economy, there was a bold new promise: to “stop the boats”.
“We will pass new laws to stop small boats, making sure that if you come to this country illegally, you are detained and swiftly removed,” Sunak announced. “No tricks, no ambiguity, we’re either delivering for you or we’re not,” he told reporters – in an upbeat mood and a crisp white shirt, a long way from the rain-sodden and crestfallen prime minister we saw announcing the election last month.
Colleagues were startled by his decision to stake so much of his reputation on a pledge that was clearly unachievable. “It was obviously stupid to say you’re going to stop the boats, when you’re very unlikely to be able to,” a long-term Home Office staffer told me, recalling his surprise at the announcement. “Call me cynical, but I assumed it was just a slogan to put clear blue water between him and the Labour party. I’m not sure he ever believed he could actually do it.”
