Rishi Sunak’s interview with Piers Morgan told us one crucial thing about him

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Sunak runs his government like a blind trust (TalkTV)

In his interview with Piers Morgan to mark his 100 days in office, Rishi Sunak sidestepped the question about whether he had profited from the share price rise of Covid vaccine maker Moderna by saying that the money was in a blind trust, meaning that he had no control in it. That answer says so much more about Mr Sunak’s style of leadership and concept of responsibility than maybe he recognises.

Being the beneficiary of a blind trust means that you seek to gain all the benefits of the ends without having to worry about the detail of the means. It only protects you from a conflict of interest if you believe in the maxim of don’t ask, don’t tell.

As has become clear with his handling of Nadhim Zahawi, Dominic Raab, and who knows who is next, Mr Sunak runs his government like a blind trust. At a time when vulnerable people are having their homes broken into to force a switch to prepaid meters, and abused people are being told that it is their responsibility not to give money to people traffickers, it is telling that the prime minister believes that in his case not knowing how you benefit from something absolves you of the ultimate responsibility of recognising how you did.

Gary Wiltshire

Isle of Mull

It’s time to send a message to utility companies

I am glad to see that British Gas is being forced to drop its appalling scheme to force prepayment meters on elderly and vulnerable customers, and that consideration is being given to compensating those who have already suffered. However I notice that, yet again, the government is not leading events, but following with knee jerk reactions; something all too familiar to the long-suffering British voting public.

Could I suggest that the government brings in a law change to ensure this disgraceful behaviour by a public utility can never happen again? They should also set a standard compensation payment for every customer affected.

The cost to British Gas would not only concentrate their minds on putting the customer first – something they long ago forgot – but will also send a message to other energy companies.

Ian McNicholas

Address supplied

An overlooked voting bloc?

Your correspondent John Rentoul overlooks a material change that will affect the next general election.

The Elections Act 2022 lifted the ban on expatriates voting more than 15 years after leaving the United Kingdom. The only adult British citizens abroad without the vote are now those born abroad who have never lived in the UK. The extension of the franchise, coupled with the damage done to Britain worldwide by Brexit, will produce an increased number of expatriates bothering to register and vote.

Polling companies have no easy way of sampling expatriate opinions. The total population of expatriates is about 1.5 million in the free-movement countries, and 5.5 million worldwide (this includes children). It is plausible that 2,000 to 3,000 additional votes could be cast on average per constituency?

In 28 seats won by Conservatives in 2019, their majority was under 3,000. Put another way, two million new voters not inclined to support the Tories amount to a five per cent vote share.

David Kauders

Switzerland

I just can’t bear it

As if disillusionment with our own politicians were not enough, I see the Biden administration is on track to allow the hunting of grizzly bears in several US states, as their legal protection is removed. Thus the natural world is to suffer yet another atrocity at the hands of the most lethal species to ever exist: humans.

Penny Little

Oxfordshire

But what about our finances, Boris?

During the soft-hitting Nadine Dorries interview, Boris Johnson claimed that the fiscal position was pretty robust when he left office.

We can only presume he meant his own fiscal position, with his £800k loan, rent-free luxury accommodation speaking engagements and seven-figure book deal.

Geoff Forward

Stirling

Dressing-down rehearsal

Boris meets Nadine; an enthralling encounter of the besotted and the shameless.

The casting was inspired, the chemistry apparent, and the production worked. It was excruciating entertainment enhanced in the appreciation by Tom Peck’s highly amusing review.

Johnson was softened up in a public sparring session by arguably his closest ally, responding to almost playful punches with a squirming bravado. In so doing he may well have provided further insights, and perhaps confirmations, to the privileges committee in advance of what is certain to be a far less amicable encounter.

David Nelmes

Newport