Thread by @syrpis

I've missed much of the news during the last couple of days, and have returned to *a lot* people on here who seem surprised and disappointed (stronger emotions are available) by Rishi Sunak's Cabinet.

I'm struggling with the surprise... 🧵 1/7

Leave to one side Sunak's convictions (for what it's worth, they seem entirely consistent with the overall direction of travel - one furlough scheme in the midst of a pandemic does not make him a champion of the poor, or a big spender).

Focus instead on the Tory party. 2/7

The immediate threat to his premiership comes from the right of the Tory party; from the #Borisorbust faction.

If he loses their support, he could fall within days.

So, predictably, he is doing what he needs to do to keep them onside. 3/7

He is in no position to 'crush' them. He is in no position even to challenge them, at least until his position is more secure - which is almost certainly not going to happen until he wins a GE. 4/7

When things get tough for him (and they will), they will threaten him.

As the next GE approaches, and they perceive that there is less for them to lose, they will feel ever bolder about the prospect of bringing him down. 5/7

In terms of Tory party management, the Cabinet appointments (including Braverman) make very good sense.

But... what's right for the Tory party is often not right for the country. 6/7

That is the tragedy of the last few years.

The interests of the country have been neglected as the Tory party has tried - so far in vain - to save itself.

There are no grounds to expect that the Sunak premiership will be any different. 7/7