Rishi needs to summon his Jedi skills or face stark electoral oblivion
Evening Standard|February 24, 2023
RISHI Sunak is a huge Star Wars fan and it’s been said that he looks to the films for inspiration, both personally and politically.
Emily Sheffield
Rishi needs to summon his Jedi skills or face stark electoral oblivion

The power of The Force in Star Wars can be seen as a metaphor for faith that resonates and inspires from within. Our Prime Minister does need to look to his inner Jedi in the coming days, as he will need both boldness and extraordinary energy to do what he believes is right for the country.

How he proceeds with the Northern Ireland Protocol over the next week will be the deciding factor of his premiership. Boris Johnson knows it. It’s why he’s aggravating from the sidelines.

It’s a tough conundrum for our beleaguered PM. Does he push ahead for his Protocol revisions, and risk Tory infighting, even his removal? And having annoyed the Democratic Unionist Party further, Northern Ireland could continue with no functioning government if they refuse to end their boycott.

If Sunak does back off, he will prove the Tories are incapable of government, Number 10 held hostage by hardline Brexiteers and the DUP.

This story is from the February 24, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 24, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EVENING STANDARDView All
No rest for Bromley as club starts preparing for life in League Two
Evening Standard

No rest for Bromley as club starts preparing for life in League Two

THE dust has barely settled from the most famous day in Bromley's history, but the club is already preparing for life in League Two.

time-read
1 min  |
May 07, 2024
TIME'S UP AGAIN... BUT MOYES WILL LEAVE CLUB IN A FAR BETTER PLACE
Evening Standard

TIME'S UP AGAIN... BUT MOYES WILL LEAVE CLUB IN A FAR BETTER PLACE

IF THE measure of a managerial job well done lies in leaving a club in a better place than it was found, then at West Ham David Moyes has pulled it off - twice.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 07, 2024
LOPETEGUI AGREES TO TAKE OVER AT HAMMERS
Evening Standard

LOPETEGUI AGREES TO TAKE OVER AT HAMMERS

FORMER SPAIN BOSS TO REPLACE MOYES IN SUMMER |  CLUB IN TALKS FOR BRAZILIAN WONDERKID WESLEY

time-read
2 mins  |
May 07, 2024
While Cristian soldiers on bravely, many team-mates face an uncertain summer
Evening Standard

While Cristian soldiers on bravely, many team-mates face an uncertain summer

ANGE POSTECOGLOU has insisted for months that he knows exactly what is needed to transform his Tottenham squad, but he will surely have learnt something new about his players during a miserable week.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 07, 2024
Hard to see Olise in United rebuild after his demolition job
Evening Standard

Hard to see Olise in United rebuild after his demolition job

ALREADY on the score-sheet as Crystal Palace led 2-0 before the break, Michael Olise was toying with Manchester United.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 07, 2024
Carmoola boss wants app to be 'everything' for motorists
Evening Standard

Carmoola boss wants app to be 'everything' for motorists

AIDAN RUSHBY is an archetypal entrepreneur. \"My mind is restless, I scribble down 20 or more business ideas spontaneously each week,\" he says.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 07, 2024
BP costs pledge after profits fall
Evening Standard

BP costs pledge after profits fall

BP today pledged to cut costs as first quarter profits at the UK's second-biggest energy major fell further than City experts expected.

time-read
1 min  |
May 07, 2024
Flats 'closing growth gap with houses'
Evening Standard

Flats 'closing growth gap with houses'

BRITAIN'S biggest mortgage lender today said flats are back in fashion as first time buyers target smaller properties due to high mortgage costs.

time-read
1 min  |
May 07, 2024
I love using my phone at the dinner table and only a fool would try to ban them
Evening Standard

I love using my phone at the dinner table and only a fool would try to ban them

I WAS five glasses deep into the new Beaujolais in The Royal Oak pub on Columbia Road in Shoreditch when I lost the game. It was 2014 and I reached for my phone stacked on top of the others, jenga'd precariously in the middle of the table.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 07, 2024
I have warped my attention span for our modern world, but now I'm regretting it
Evening Standard

I have warped my attention span for our modern world, but now I'm regretting it

TWO-AND-A-HALF seconds. That's how long I'd have to hold your attention, were this a film and not a some what contorted start to a column about something else entirely.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 07, 2024