Rishi Sunak offered the Scots co-operation for the common good. This does not sound exciting, nor is it meant to. The Prime Minister wished to indicate by his demeanour as well as his words that he is a sane, sober, consensual person who is working away at practical improvements which all sensible people will welcome.
Ian Davidson, for the Scots Nats, conceded that in today’s ruling, denying the Scottish Government the right to legislate for a referendum on independence, the Supreme Court has “clarified a point of law”, but insisted that “democracy will not be denied”.
Sunak replied that “now is the time for politicians to work together” for the benefit of the people of Scotland, and proceeded to give versions of this answer to half a dozen other Scots Nats who demanded a referendum.
Let them go on agitating: the Prime Minister refuses to be distracted from the serious business of improving people’s lives.
He sought to draw the same contrast between himself and Sir Keir Starmer, whom he accused of not having read the whole of an OECD report, having thereby missed “three very important points” which are contained in it and shown “he’s not interested in substance, he’s an opportunist”.
Some of us could not help wondering who in their right mind would read the whole of an OECD report.
Here was the Prime Minister kindly offering his services to us as a reader of tedious documents who can extract the salient points and take the necessary action.
In order to carry conviction in this role, he needs himself to be a bit dull. To play the part of brilliant debater might make him sound cheap and opportunistic, a mere coiner of soundbites.
Sir Keir leant on the Despatch Box, a superior smile playing about his lips, and took some cracks at non-doms and private medicine.
Sunak retorted that in the Conservative leadership election “I stood on my principles”, whereas to become Labour leader Sir Keir “told his party what they wanted to hear”.
The PM claims to be above partisan considerations. By this means, he hopes the Conservative Party may yet have a chance of recovery from its dismal position in the opinion polls.