On 6 June, as the 2024 British election campaign forged ahead at home, Rishi Sunak made news for all the wrong reasons on the anniversary of D-Day.
The British prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party has not had a lot of fun since the start of the campaign several weeks ago. His meme-able election announcement came in the pouring rain, and since then, the Tories have been unable to ward off attacks from both their left and right.
The campaign dysfunction for the Conservatives crossed to another plane of existence on Thursday, as the prime minister made an unforced error that drew international attention.
Rishi Sunak at D-Day Memorial
Thursday 6 June was the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of France, marking the major turning point in World War II. “Operation: Overlord” began in 1944 with “D-Day” on the beaches of Normandy. The Allies suffered heavy losses, but they would eventually turn the tide and end the Nazi threat.
Multiple world leaders showed up in Normandy for the 2024 memorial ceremony, including King Charles III, US President Joe Biden, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Sunak, in his role as prime minister, was also present – until he wasn’t. He left the ceremonies early to return to Britain for an election television interview with ITV. Lord Cameron, former prime minister and current foreign secretary, subbed in for Sunak at a ceremony and for the world leaders’ photo opportunity with Biden, Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Sunak Apologizes and Responds to Criticism
After an avalanche of criticism from across the United Kingdom’s political spectrum, Sunak issued an apology on Friday morning. The prime minister referred to his decision to leave early as a “mistake” while offering his regrets.
However, he also noted that he felt electoral opponents were seizing on the opportunity to make this situation political, and that all parties should return their focus to those who served and those who gave their lives.
Reactions: Rishi Sunak D-Day Gaffe
It goes without saying that significant condemnation has hit the prime minister, including from those alleged to be within his own party. All of the following quotations from British political figures and commentators are sourced.
“He’ll have to answer for his choices.”
Keir Starmer, Labour leader, on Sky News
“Total dereliction of duty.”
Sir Ed Davey, Liberal Democrats leader, via Reuters
“It was an act of either colossal stupidity or cynical calculation. Either way, it revealed to me that while I still embrace a conservative philosophy, I am no longer willing to have it outsourced to a bunch of mendacious, incompetent, and disreputable clowns.”
Ian Acheson, former advisor to Michael Gove who resigned 7 June, as reported by The Telegraph
“Disastrous.”
Unnamed former cabinet minister, via Financial Times
“I can’t explain it, and I won’t.”
Unnamed Tory elected official, via Reuters
“…the prime minister’s decision to cut short his participation in the D-Day commemorations Thursday wasn’t just a snub to the finest generation, it was also yet another sign that Sunak is just really, really bad at politics.”
Rosa Prince, politico.eu
“Politically shameful. … Completely and utterly unforgivable.”
Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrats deputy leader, at the 7 June BBC debate
“Everybody’s completely disgusted. … If this guy, Rishi Sunak, cannot see that quitting the D-Day memorial in Normandy early to race back to London for some poxy little campaign interview with ITV, pre-recorded – if he can’t see that’s a bad look, then he has no right to be prime minister.”
Kevin O’Sullivan, presenter on TalkTV
“I have never seen a decision taken like this by a major political party – by a prime minister in the middle of [an] election campaign. … Set aside the election campaign: If this had happened in normal circumstances … I think that would potentially be a resignation offence.”
Dan Hodges, columnist for the Mail on Sunday, on TalkTV
“I think it was very ill thought-through and a rather stupid decision. … I am surprised by the incompetence of the team around him.”
Lord West, Labour peer, on Times Radio
What Next for the Campaign?
Those are some heated and very stern reactions from across the spectrum; there were more in the media, including some from veterans and members of the public, who in many cases expressed disapproval for Sunak’s actions. He can, and did, offer an apology, but in many ways, the damage is already done.
Whether or not he or others decry that this memorial has taken on a political angle – and it’s a shame that it has – that is exactly what happened. Nobody would be discussing this if Sunak had not taken it upon himself to leave the memorial early and ask David Cameron to do the photo-op in his place. If he wants to blame his handlers, they should have known that it would be very unsound for him to leave before the ceremonies were over – but so should he, and he is responsible in the end.
Things were already going poorly for the Conservatives. Opinion polls show a looming disaster for the Tories, perhaps worse than their landslide defeat in 1997. Our own predictions, updated last night while the news of this gaffe still marinated, reflect very bad news for the Conservatives, plunging well below 200 seats. Let’s be clear: This story is not going to lose the election for them. It was most likely already lost. What it will do, however, is make a bad situation worse, and perhaps expand upon their electoral demise.
The best and most appropriate way to end our article is this: While a big distraction took place, we should take a moment to remember the sacrifice of those who served on D-Day. Their bravery should never be forgotten, and we should be thankful for their heroism every day.
