Poor Rishi Sunak. Tough as politics is, it is impossible not to find a smidgen of sympathy for the would-be Conservative leader.
There he was, not that long ago, the most popular politician in Britain, outscoring all-comers in the polls.
He was the chancellor who supplied folk with eating out vouchers, encouraging them to go to restaurants and pubs, and who soothed worries via the furlough scheme, covering wages when employers couldn’t or wouldn’t. He made easily accessed loans available to small businesses to help them through the pandemic. He was a bountiful figure, considerate, caring and charming.
In a Cabinet weak on talent, Mr Sunak stood out, brimming with energy and thought. Not for nothing was he christened “Dishy Rishi”. His popularity shimmered like a risen souffle at a time of crisis for the nation.
Meanwhile, Liz Truss was nowhere. She was a makeweight, who moved from state post to post without making a mark. She was nice but no superstar, and definitely not a future leader.
How times change. Boris Johnson has gone, and Ms Truss is the new prime minister. For seven weeks, while the contest has been meandering along (“raged” is putting it far too strongly), Mr Sunak has been fighting a losing battle. Increasingly, towards the end, despite his forced jauntiness, he appeared lost and forlorn, as if he could not actually believe what was happening.
He therefore joins the likes of Michael Portillo and Michael Heseltine as charismatic, leadership dead-cert shoo-ins who failed to gain the prize, whose careers reached the heights but not high enough.
Like them, Mr Sunak is entitled to pinch himself and wonder if it’s all a bad dream. Sadly, for him, it’s not. He committed the cardinal sin of any elected politician — of not paying due heed to his electorate. This, despite being oh so intelligent and preparing the campaign groundwork months in advance.
That was part of his problem. He was seen by the party faithful, those who were voting, as too brainy, too quick and smart. This expressed itself, fatally, in a tendency to lecture. Conservative members regard themselves as proudly intelligent, by and large successful types who know what’s what. They do not appreciate being told what to do.
The more empathetic Ms Truss, who could pass for any of their daughters and who when she said she cared seemed as if she meant it, was more on their wavelength.
Yes, Ms Truss was a Remainer, but from the off, and even before the race began, she cloaked herself in the Union Jack, constantly photographed alongside the flag. For an organisation that still worships Margaret Thatcher, she went out of her way to echo their hero, dressing like her and being pictured in an army tank, just like Mrs T. Of course, Ms Truss is no Maggie. She would not pretend otherwise, she’s not that stupid. But even if Ms Truss was part-Thatcher, that would be no bad thing ― and it showed she was thinking along the right lines.
Mr Sunak, by contrast, did not make the connection, not with the membership. He did well with the MPs, ahead with them by a mile, but they were not the ones making the selection.
It was the MPs who deposed Mr Johnson, a move prompted by Mr Sunak’s resignation as chancellor. They were not so bothered by Mr Sunak’s act of ‘betrayal’, especially as it enabled them to topple the prime minister. Their constituency associations saw Mr Sunak’s behaviour differently, categorising him as a traitor, a Brutus that knifed their blond Caesar. He was viewed as someone critically who still retains enormous affection and popularity among the rump of Tories not so exercised by breaches of, as they see them, arcane parliamentary rules.
Mr Sunak’s mistake was to equate his Westminster colleagues with those having the final say. They’re different species, as anyone who has been to the party conference can testify. The MPs lauded Mr Sunak for his quickness of thought; they got, too, his desire to balance the books, to keep the nation’s finances on a tight leash. He appealed, despite being a Brexiteer, to the Remainers (it’s a curiosity how Ms Truss and Mr Sunak’s EU positions played out, she a Remainer wooing the Brexiteers, he a Brexiteer winning the approval of the Remainers).
The Remainers are urban, metropolitan, from London and the university cities. They liked Mr Sunak, did not mind his penchant for designer clothes and were admiring of his top-drawer education and investment banking credentials.
The revelation of his US immigration green card and his wife’s non-domicile status went down badly everywhere. But not so much in London, where, at least among Tories, they’re viewed as more normal, as badges. In the provinces, in the rural shires where the leadership electorate lay, the attitude was different. There, having a house in Santa Monica and putting Goldman Sachs on your CV, count for nothing. If anything, they work against you, suggesting you don’t really care about the UK, and certainly not about its Tory bedrock market towns, and that your ambition lies faraway.
Remainers, London city dwellers — they were all rooting for Rishi. They were more forgiving of his tax increases and his determination not to lower them — they believe they’re economically literate and shared his purpose. Not so, elsewhere.
It did not assist Mr Sunak’s cause that the right-wing press were against him. The Telegraph, Sun and Mail all backed Ms Truss, often attacking Mr Sunak with venom. Their favourite “Dishy Rishi” was long gone. Only The Times was in his corner.
Normally, in a general election, what these newspapers say would not matter so much ― the national ballot covers a broad canvas and they carry less weight. In this election, they are the only titles the electorate read, and Mr Sunak was repeatedly scorned for his treachery, belief in high taxes, personal wealth and Home Counties private schooling (Ms Truss constantly played the Yorkshire, state-educated card).
The sense of his isolation was not aided by ministers lining up one by one to declare their support for Ms Truss. It made him seem unpopular as well among his ex-colleagues. The fact they were taking a bet on the likely winner and the person who would have it in their gift to give them a job was not mentioned.
All Mr Sunak could muster were Michael Gove and Dominic Raab. He lacked a heavy-hitting, influential straight-talker like Iain Duncan Smith, who threw his weight behind Truss.
Mr Sunak was the swot who saw it as a natural step to become PM. He should have realised that being too clever by half can get you nowhere.
Tory leadership announcement - in pictures
Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
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DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL CARD
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections
6.30pm: Gifts Of Gold
7.05pm Final Song
7.40pm Equilateral
8.15pm Dark Of Night
8.50pm Mythical Magic
9.25pm Franz Kafka
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Ballon d’Or shortlists
Men
Sadio Mane (Senegal/Liverpool), Sergio Aguero (Aregentina/Manchester City), Frenkie de Jong (Netherlans/Barcelona), Hugo Lloris (France/Tottenham), Dusan Tadic (Serbia/Ajax), Kylian Mbappe (France/PSG), Trent Alexander-Arnold (England/Liverpool), Donny van de Beek (Netherlands/Ajax), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon/Arsenal), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany/Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Juventus), Alisson (Brazil/Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands/Juventus), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands/Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands/Liverpool), Bernardo Silva (Portugal/Manchester City), Son Heung-min (South Korea/Tottenham), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich), Roberto Firmino (Brazil/Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria/Manchester City), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal/Napoli), Antoine Griezmann (France/Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Eden Hazard (BEL/Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Brazil/Paris-SG), Raheem Sterling (Eengland/Manchester City), Joao Félix(Portugal/Atletico Madrid)
Women
Sam Kerr (Austria/Chelsea), Ellen White (England/Manchester City), Nilla Fischer (Sweden/Linkopings), Amandine Henry (France/Lyon), Lucy Bronze(England/Lyon), Alex Morgan (USA/Orlando Pride), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands/Arsenal), Dzsenifer Marozsan (Germany/Lyon), Pernille Harder (Denmark/Wolfsburg), Sarah Bouhaddi (France/Lyon), Megan Rapinoe (USA/Reign FC), Lieke Martens (Netherlands/Barcelona), Sari van Veenendal (Netherlands/Atletico Madrid), Wendie Renard (France/Lyon), Rose Lavelle(USA/Washington Spirit), Marta (Brazil/Orlando Pride), Ada Hegerberg (Norway/Lyon), Kosovare Asllani (Sweden/CD Tacon), Sofia Jakobsson (Sweden/CD Tacon), Tobin Heath (USA/Portland Thorns)
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships
2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds
2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58
2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified
2012 London Olympics 9.63
2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77
2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79
2016 Rio Olympics 9.81
2017 London World Championships 9.95
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
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Without Remorse
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B Jordan
4/5
Mobile phone packages comparison
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
