Rishi Sunak declares ‘the plan IS working and we must stick to it’ as Britain finally exits recession
AFTER a tough week for Rishi Sunak, finally some good news.
Britain is now officially out of recession after the economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the last three months.
It might not seem much, but it is growth higher than most boffins had expected and firmly puts us back in the black.
The PM could not have been quicker to herald the stats as “proof” the country has “turned a corner” thanks to his efforts.
“We know things are still tough for many people, but the plan is working, and we must stick to it,” he said this morning.
For a man who regards economic competency as a key pillar of his electoral appeal, the fact Britain was in recession was a drag anchor around his neck.
Although the downturn was brief and shallow, it was a label Sunak was desperate to shake off.
This morning he now has, and it is a much-needed boost at a time when he has spent more time on his back foot than his front.
Bruising local election results followed by another Tory defection forced him onto the ropes.
Now expect him to come out swinging and once again talking about the economy – the battleground where he is most comfortable.
Labour says a government “victory lap” is ridiculous given people still do not feel better off.
For many millions of Brits, that will ring true.
But Sunak now has a message to sell that things are on up. Inflation is coming down, growth is creeping forwards.
Many strategists still regard the Bill Clinton campaign “it’s the economy stupid” as political law – that if people feel better off they will reward the party responsible.
Sunak’s challenge now is to turn the economic results into political results – and that remains to be seen.