Rishi's Star Quality Is He Understands Voters' Aspirations

IN every generation, there are a small number of politicians who have star quality. Tony Blair had it. Boris Johnson has it.

- Stephen Pollard

And so, too, does Rishi Sunak. Most people would crumble at the thought of being Chancellor of the Exchequer at 39. Add to that having to take charge during a pandemic and it is astonishing that Mr. Sunak is not merely still there, but stronger and more powerful than ever.

As his conference speech, yesterday showed, it’s not just Mr. Johnson who can do upbeat. From almost anyone else’s lips, “We are going to make the UK the most exciting country on the planet” would sound ludicrous. From Rishi Sunak, it sounded like a genuine aspiration. He understands how voters think, grasping that, even with the unprecedented borrowing and increased taxes of the pandemic, “It’s your money not the state’s”.

BUT more than just slogans, it’s clear that both Mr Sunak and Mr Johnson believe they have found a way to turn the chaos over petrol supplies into a huge opportunity to cement the result of the next election.

Last week, Labour leader Keir Starmer was asked by Andrew Marr what he would do to solve the shortage of HGV drivers. His response, that he would offer visas to 100,000 foreign drivers to work here, was praised by many in his party and beyond.