British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced backlash for leaving D-Day commemorations early to resume campaigning for an election he is likely to lose. Sunak issued an apology after receiving criticism from both allies and political opponents for his decision to return home and give a TV interview in Normandy. He admitted that it was a mistake not to stay longer in France and expressed his desire for the anniversary to focus on honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the country rather than being overshadowed by politics. However, the damage had already been done in the eyes of many.
Churchill played a crucial role in D-Day, being instrumental in the Allied strategy and inspiring his country with his powerful speeches during the war. In contrast, Sunak, the current leader, is facing significant challenges and is not well-liked by the British public. His Conservative Party is behind in the polls leading up to the upcoming election, which coincided with the D-Day commemorations. Despite this, Sunak traveled to France to participate in the memorial, alongside King Charles III, French President Macron, and others, to honor the British troops who fought in the invasion and contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany.
However, he assigned his other responsibilities to ministers, including Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who was seen attending the main memorial ceremony with President Joe Biden and others on Thursday.
According to British media, Sunak returned home to give an interview to ITV News, a decision that drew criticism from the media. The left-leaning tabloid The Daily Mirror featured the headline ‘PM DITCHES D-DAY’ on its front page.
The opposition Labour Party, which is expected to win a significant majority in the upcoming election according to many polls, accused Sunak of neglecting his duties. Ed Davey, the leader of the centrist Liberal Democrats, who are aiming to secure some Conservative seats, stated that Sunak had “abandoned” those who fought in the bloody battle of Normandy.
Davey said on Friday morning, as reported by the PA news agency, “One of the greatest privileges of being the prime minister is to be present to honor those who served, yet Rishi Sunak left them behind on the beaches of Normandy.”
“He has disgraced the position and disappointed our nation.”
The condemnation was just as harsh from some within Sunak’s own party.
“The fact that the Prime Minister had to apologize for not staying for the entire D-Day commemorations is a significant moment in this campaign. It was a grave lapse in judgment, implying that he prioritized politics over what truly matters and giving his opponents the opportunity to claim that he lacks compassion,” remarked Craig Oliver, a journalist who previously served as Cameron’s head of communications during his tenure as prime minister.