Salvation for Sunak as he leads Conservatives to slaughter

THE British election on Jul 4 is important not because of any great uncertainty about the outcome – the Tories are heading for the exit – but because it will help signal the UK’s role in a changing world. And what better figure to illustrate this than the man who has been the country’s first Indian-heritage prime minister?

By announcing the summer election date, Rishi Sunak has saved his job for the next six weeks. Various contenders – Suella Braverman (former home secretary), Kemi Badenoch (business and trade secretary), Liz Truss (his predecessor as prime minister) – were aiming to unseat him as soon as they saw their chance.

Now he has thrown down the gauntlet. His rivals will have to get in line behind him. He will go out, after less than two years as PM – but still seven times as long as Truss. There will be no tumbrels and no guillotine. He leaves with his head held high – and still on his own shoulders.