Rishi Sunak - Prime Minister

[otolith]

borcy said:

Perhaps his advisors should spend time with him, they cover pr training, how to answers questions without answering them etc. Maybe they should do some 'how to look normal in public' training.

And advise him never to eat a bacon sandwich in public.

[isaldiri]

Hants PHer said:

Sunak's public gaffes remind me of those "just ask Zoopla" adverts where there's a pause in conversation and someone says "What did you pay for it anyway?"; cue embarrassed silence.

My advice to him would be to appear boring, serious and, ideally, resemble a statesman. For example, when he gave his speech about the infected blood inquiry the other day, he actually came across as genuine and sincere. Footie loving man of the people, shaking hands with blokes clad in hi-vis jackets? No one is fooled Rishi, sorry.

True but again when politicians who can and do the glad-handing 'man of the people' schtick well get stuck in, it kind of also sticks in the craw a bit as well I'd say as it's so clearly an act. Simply one that's better done than by the likes of Starmer and Sunak doing the same thing. To be fair though, the latter group rightly get more pilloried for doing so not just because they look like idiots but also because despite being politicians (with presumes at least some ability in judging opinions of others), they somehow are so lacking in self awareness that they don't tell their advisors to just scrap that dumb idea while the former are just cynically exploiting what they do well.

[Mr Penguin]

Honesty is the best policy. The same thing happened to Ed Miliband and they eventually said "we'll let Ed Miliband be Ed Miliband" which just seemed to try to push his square peg into a round hole even more than they already had done.

Rishi's best videos were in front of his flip chart IMO. A few people laughed at him for being silly and a whiteboard would have been better but I think it was worth it because you can actually believe that is him being himself and at his best.

[thetapeworm]

borcy said:

Perhaps his advisors should spend time with him, they cover pr training, how to answers questions without answering them etc. Maybe they should do some 'how to look normal in public' training.

It always reminds me of this...



Sadly https://bluffball.co.uk isn't a real thing but I'm sure he could hire a pundit to help him out with some "oi oi" stuff and a bit of Stone Island.

This is a typical scene in my office on a Monday only without the sensible input from Ray because I have to keep it internalised.

Edited by thetapeworm on Friday 24th May 10:44

[isaldiri]

Mr Penguin said:

Honesty is the best policy. The same thing happened to Ed Miliband and they eventually said "we'll let Ed Miliband be Ed Miliband" which just seemed to try to push his square peg into a round hole even more than they already had done.

Not really. honesty is only the best policy if you're crap at faking it. For Miliband (ed), that would likely be true, not the case for the other Miliband. Same with Sunak/Johnson. That said, honesty even if you're lousy at presentation likely only works up to a point where if you're just too delusional (see Truss) and people finally start realising you mean what you say as well....

[captain_cynic]

S600BSB said:

JagLover said:

Mr Penguin said:

thetapeworm said:

Standard "man of the people" stuff, they'll be some pint pulling soon...

Bojo the clown shows how it should be done while Zac Goldsmith looks like he would rather be holding a Champagne flute.

Quite right

Looks like Boris has less competence in holding a pint than he did in holding office.

Who holds a pint from the bottom?

[Blackpuddin]

Boringvolvodriver said:

thetapeworm said:

Bill said:

captain_cynic said:

I don't know, never blame malice for what can easily be explained by stupidity.

I can't imagine Rishi's the kind of bloke who watches the footy religiously (aren't they all Cricket mad up in Yorkshire).

Fair enough about the football, but that's part of a series of cock ups and even by this lots low standards is going some.

Standard "man of the people" stuff, they'll be some pint pulling soon...

Exactly this - politicians of all stripes will say and so anything to convince people that they are relatable and will look after you because “I am one of you” - the thing is they will change “ the one of you” depending who they are talking to.

Sunak is really unconvincing at that stuff. He may be honest but it's hard to make a judgement on it because he comes across as someone playing a part rather than someone being himself.

[President Merkin]

He stood in Downing street & promised professionalism, accountability & integrity, then re-employed Suella Bravermnam six days after she'd been sacked. He's not honest.

[bitchstewie]

President Merkin said:

He stood in Downing street & promised professionalism, accountability & integrity, then re-employed Suella Bravermnam six days after she'd been sacked. He's not honest.

And told the mother of a Manchester Arena bombing victim on Wednesday that he'd introduce a new law in her son’s name before the summer recess and then called a General Election a few hours later.

Still time yet I suppose.

[Talksteer]

isaldiri said:

Hants PHer said:

Sunak's public gaffes remind me of those "just ask Zoopla" adverts where there's a pause in conversation and someone says "What did you pay for it anyway?"; cue embarrassed silence.

My advice to him would be to appear boring, serious and, ideally, resemble a statesman. For example, when he gave his speech about the infected blood inquiry the other day, he actually came across as genuine and sincere. Footie loving man of the people, shaking hands with blokes clad in hi-vis jackets? No one is fooled Rishi, sorry.

True but again when politicians who can and do the glad-handing 'man of the people' schtick well get stuck in, it kind of also sticks in the craw a bit as well I'd say as it's so clearly an act. Simply one that's better done than by the likes of Starmer and Sunak doing the same thing. To be fair though, the latter group rightly get more pilloried for doing so not just because they look like idiots but also because despite being politicians (with presumes at least some ability in judging opinions of others), they somehow are so lacking in self awareness that they don't tell their advisors to just scrap that dumb idea while the former are just cynically exploiting what they do well.

Plenty of politicians genuinely like doing that sort of thing (or they have been doing the act so long it's not an act, like Tim Westwood), however Rishi's issue is that he was parachuted directly into one of the safest Tory seats with no background in campaigning.

Someone like Barak Obama is a natural introvert, he handles interactions with the public by being witty and confident rather than empathetic, but again he had plenty of experience with community organizing before going through several layers of contested elections to political offices. Obviously he's also an incredible performer in terms speaking and showmanship.

[119]

captain_cynic said:

S600BSB said:

JagLover said:

Mr Penguin said:

thetapeworm said:

Standard "man of the people" stuff, they'll be some pint pulling soon...

Bojo the clown shows how it should be done while Zac Goldsmith looks like he would rather be holding a Champagne flute.

Quite right

Looks like Boris has less competence in holding a pint than he did in holding office.

Who holds a pint from the bottom?

Lol wut?

[ben5575]

captain_cynic said:

S600BSB said:

JagLover said:

Mr Penguin said:

thetapeworm said:

Standard "man of the people" stuff, they'll be some pint pulling soon...

Bojo the clown shows how it should be done while Zac Goldsmith looks like he would rather be holding a Champagne flute.

Quite right

Looks like Boris has less competence in holding a pint than he did in holding office.

Who holds a pint from the bottom?

I’ve failed the man test because I do, particularly on straight glasses like that. What I don’t do is use two hands like goldsmith

[ChocolateFrog]

Sums him up quite well.



Still don't understand his motivations beyond power. Futile campaigning for votes from people that can't stand him or live without a care in the world in California sat on mountains of cash.

[Tom8]

otolith said:

borcy said:

Perhaps his advisors should spend time with him, they cover pr training, how to answers questions without answering them etc. Maybe they should do some 'how to look normal in public' training.

And advise him never to eat a bacon sandwich in public.

Or buy some petrol. Or drink a beer.

[DaveTheRave87]

Tom8 said:

otolith said:

borcy said:

Perhaps his advisors should spend time with him, they cover pr training, how to answers questions without answering them etc. Maybe they should do some 'how to look normal in public' training.

And advise him never to eat a bacon sandwich in public.

Or buy some petrol. Or drink a beer.

Or stand in front of a giant stone with your policies carved into it.

[EddieSteadyGo]

isaldiri said:

Mr Penguin said:

Honesty is the best policy. The same thing happened to Ed Miliband and they eventually said "we'll let Ed Miliband be Ed Miliband" which just seemed to try to push his square peg into a round hole even more than they already had done.

Not really. honesty is only the best policy if you're crap at faking it. For Miliband (ed), that would likely be true, not the case for the other Miliband. Same with Sunak/Johnson. That said, honesty even if you're lousy at presentation likely only works up to a point where if you're just too delusional (see Truss) and people finally start realising you mean what you say as well....

Don't you think humans are pretty adept at sensing those who try and fake it? If a politician is glib, they might not get obviously tripped up by the 'football' or the 'pub' type questions/situations, but my sense is people know intuitively when those types of politicians are being insincere and shallow.

So I'd go with the Penguin, and say he is better presenting himself in a straightforward way, even if that means he looks a bit awkward at times. I also think most people have a good idea of Sunak's strengths and weaknesses. What isn't so clear is the government's plan for the next 5 years.

[lornemalvo]

I think I'll be avoiding the news for a while. The journos' feeding frenzy and our risible politicians'' empty promises have become tedious already. Oh, for some politicians with gravitas.

Edited by lornemalvo on Friday 24th May 16:21

[WestyCarl]

EddieSteadyGo said:

isaldiri said:

Mr Penguin said:

Honesty is the best policy. The same thing happened to Ed Miliband and they eventually said "we'll let Ed Miliband be Ed Miliband" which just seemed to try to push his square peg into a round hole even more than they already had done.

Not really. honesty is only the best policy if you're crap at faking it. For Miliband (ed), that would likely be true, not the case for the other Miliband. Same with Sunak/Johnson. That said, honesty even if you're lousy at presentation likely only works up to a point where if you're just too delusional (see Truss) and people finally start realising you mean what you say as well....

Don't you think humans are pretty adept at sensing those who try and fake it? If a politician is glib, they might not get obviously tripped up by the 'football' or the 'pub' type questions/situations, but my sense is people know intuitively when those types of politicians are being insincere and shallow.

So I'd go with the Penguin, and say he is better presenting himself in a straightforward way, even if that means he looks a bit awkward at times. I also think most people have a good idea of Sunak's strengths and weaknesses. What isn't so clear is the government's plan for the next 5 years.

Exactly, I won't someone who's talent is leading and running the country. If that makes him a boring nerd (for exmaple) who know's nothing about football or beer I don't care.

Don't try and pretend, you'll get found out. Play to your strengths.

[President Merkin]

Something like 90 Conservative PPC's are vacant as of today. This suggests a scramble to fill vacancies with perfunctory vetting & I'm willing to risk a guess we will see in due course a bunch of hurriedly selected loonies with horrific social media histories outed a la Reform. You're gonna need a bigger popcorn factory.

[Mr Penguin]

President Merkin said:

Something like 90 Conservative PPC's are vacant as of today. This suggests a scramble to fill vacancies with perfunctory vetting & I'm willing to risk a guess we will see in due course a bunch of hurriedly selected loonies with horrific social media histories outed a la Reform. You're gonna need a bigger popcorn factory.

The candidates will be at an advanced stage, vetted, but just not matched to seats. Labour are in a similar boat. These candidates won't be loonies because party HQs now decide who to appoint - expect very boring centrists.