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An iron rule of politics is never to dishonour your country’s war heroes. As Jeremy Corbyn discovered too late, once your patriotism is in doubt the gig is up. Rishi Sunak’s decision to cut short his attendance at D-Day is not your average campaign gaffe.
The prime minister attended an event in Northern France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy, but skipped a late afternoon ceremony, billed as being attended by 25 heads of state, veterans and officials, to return to the UK.
It later transpired he was scheduled to do an interview with ITV. Paul Brand, ITV’s political editor, said: “Today was the slot they offered us. We don’t know why.”
It has also been reported that Sunak’s team initially told their French counterparts the prime minister would skip the entire event but it was ultimately agreed he would attend briefly. Number 10 has said this is “incorrect”.
Sunak’s absence from the ceremony has global resonance given its importance as a demonstration of Western support for Ukraine from which Russia was excluded – but the domestic blowback is immense as well.
Ministers, including veterans minister Johnny Mercer, criticised the decision. The Conservative commentator Tim Montgomerie told Newsnight it was “indefensible” and “political malpractice of the highest order”.
Recognising the level of public outrage, the prime minister posted a statement, saying: “On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer – and I apologise.”
But this is the kind of story that sticks: it’s easy to understand and easy for rivals to weaponise. It’s also likely to be regarded most critically by the demographic Sunak has been trying hardest to win over, namely the over-65s.
There is speculation that the episode could prompt further defections by Tory MPs. A poll published on Thursday put a resurgent Reform party just two percentage points behind the Conservatives, and the deadline for anyone thinking of switching parties is imminent.
It paves the way for a challenging TV debate on Friday night, to which Sunak has dispatched Penny Mordaunt, the minister and party leadership contender, to speak on his behalf.
Mordaunt is a former defence secretary and former Navy reservist whose father was in the Parachute Regiment. Her constituency of Portsmouth North has a large military community, and she is already at risk of losing her seat. Sunak’s early departure from Normandy will make the campaign harder for her and many others.
John Healy, Labour’s shadow defence secretary, said: “There are many people across the country, especially within armed forces communities, who feel betrayed and feel that Britain has been let down by the prime minister.”
Reform leader Nigel Farage was more succinct: “Patriotic people who love their country should not vote for him.” Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey added: “It is a total dereliction of duty and shows why this Conservative government just has to go.” Many voters will agree.
They will certainly have plenty of opportunities to review images of Britain being represented in a photo call with world leaders by Lord David Cameron, and in an exchange with Ukraine’s President Zelensky by the Labour leader Keir Starmer.