Reinvigorated from the Christmas break, supported by an astute political adviser and easily surpassing his predecessor’s time in office, the UK's Rishi Sunak swatted away opposition attacks at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
Foremost was his immediate disarming of a potentially hostile and troubling question on whether he has used private health care.
At a time of immense strain on the National Health Service and on a day when 25,000 ambulance workers went on strike, Mr Sunak took the political risk of being straight with the public and admitted to using “independent health care”.
To a country devoted to the NHS, going private for a politician carries accusations of privilege, hypocrisy and — especially for a multimillionaire — a remoteness from the general public.
That was why Mr Sunak had previously refused to answer questions on whether he had used a private dentist, but then, in the most public forum, he admitted to it for the first time.
As he did so, Labour leader Keir Starmer wrote furiously on his usually well-scripted notes in an attempt to think up a stinging riposte.
But he was to be disappointed. Primed by the approving bellows behind him, the Prime Minister gave a thundering performance, eviscerating all in his path.
It had not appeared so at the midday start when he arrived alone to some hearty cheers from MPs yet to be convinced of his leadership or election-winning potential after 77 days in office following Liz Truss’s departure.
Mr Starmer arrived confidently, flanked by his deputy Angela Rayner and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves.
But they were undercut by the early healthcare confession, an admission perhaps prompted by the appointment right before Christmas of James Forsyth, the scholarly but street-smart editor at Spectator magazine, as his political secretary.
Speaking truth to power is an overused phrase but a vital attribute for political longevity.
A contemporary at Winchester College and now a close family friend, Mr Sunak and Mr Forsyth are godfathers to each other’s children.
Mr Forsyth will also hope to survive longer in the job than his wife, Allegra Stratton, who served as press secretary to Mr Sunak's predecessor Boris Johnson, but fell on her sword early in the Covid pandemic when footage of her giggling during a mock press conference emerged. She previously worked as Mr Sunak's director of strategic communications at the Treasury.
An astute political observer, Mr Forsyth will give it straight to Mr Sunak — and more importantly, the Prime Minister will listen.
Mr Forsyth's hand also seems to be behind last Saturday’s meeting of NHS leaders in Downing Street’s first serious attempt to resolve the crisis of striking nurses, ambulance staff and the threat of doctors, too.
The Prime Minister was attacked by Mr Starmer for failing to end the broadening strikes, referring to the weekly pandemic applause for medical staff by stating: “When I clapped for nurses, I meant it.”
Mr Sunak’s rebuttal was, for a naturally polite person, sharp and bruising. Labour’s proposed NHS reforms “costs a fortune and are out of date … just like the Labour Party”.
Warming to his new theme of polite put-downs, the Conservative leader generated growing warmth and approval on the benches behind when asked by the Scottish National Party leader about the apparent £1 million earnings made by former prime minister Mr Johnson from four public speeches after leaving office.
“I don't think we need to talk about our predecessors,” Mr Sunak said, leaning into the despatch box. “One of yours worked for Russia Today.” Chuckles of approval met the reference to Alex Salmond’s time at the now-sanctioned broadcaster.
Later, turning his guns back on Labour, Mr Sunak condemned it as a party that “always runs out of other people’s money”.
It was a good start to 2023 for Mr Sunak, as noted by political observers.
“That’s Rishi’s best PMQs yet,” said one commentator afterwards. “He clearly had his oats this morning.”
His colleague responded: “Yes, and it look like he’s practised shouting in the mirror.”
However, Mr Sunak has some hard yards ahead if he is to reign in Labour’s seemingly unassailable poll lead, with the latest figures showing the Conservative between 14 and 24 points behind.
But if he plays to his strengths of honesty and transparency, Mr Sunak may well gain appeal among voters who are utterly despondent after 13 years of Tory rule.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Release Date: April 10
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
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STAGE%201%20RESULTS
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Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh810,000
'Midnights'
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Results
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Nadhra, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Dars, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Taghzel, Malin Holmberg, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: M’Y Yaromoon, Khalifa Al Neyadi, Jesus Rosales
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeem, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
