Rishi Sunak has kept the lowest of public profiles since leaving Downing Street in July. As leader of the opposition, he has made only essential Commons appearances. Although party leader, he barely attended the Conservative conference at all. If he had called the election as late as some assumed he would, Mr Sunak might still be prime minister today. Instead, you could be forgiven for having almost forgotten him.
From this weekend, though, when either Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will take over, Mr Sunak will become history. His Commons reply to Rachel Reeves’ budget speech on Wednesday is his last important appearance as party leader. After that, who knows? It seems unlikely that Mr Sunak will want to serve in the new shadow cabinet. During the election campaign, he promised he would stay as an MP for a full parliamentary term. Many nevertheless assume, though, that he will quit Westminster much sooner, perhaps for California.
