More austerity, more division, more decline: Sunak is merely a sequel in a tired Tory franchise

‘Rishi Sunak said he would bring compassion to Downing Street. Then he reappointed Suella Braverman as home secretary.’ Photograph: Uk Parliamentary Recording Unit Handout/EPA

Rishi Sunak is good at not being Liz Truss. It is the quality that recommended him to Conservative MPs with an urgent vacancy to fill but it gives him only short-term credit with the public.

Sunak’s other credential is not being Boris Johnson. The new prime minister emphasised that much from the threshold of No 10. He promised “integrity, professionalism and accountability”, making traits that should come as standard sound like innovations. He also said he would “bring compassion” to Downing Street, acknowledging its absence under his predecessor.