UK News Digest: Recession, a Shabby State of Affairs – and a Wait After a Fall
Monday
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has recently been notably quiet about his Five Promises, as four of them have failed to materialize. The only promise that has been kept is the halving of inflation, over which he had no control. The latest promise to fall by the wayside was the commitment to grow the economy, as the UK fell into a recession with two consecutive quarters of negative growth. Jeremy Hunt’s attempt to downplay it as a ‘technical recession’ was met with criticism, with Labour MP Rachel Reeves tabling an urgent question in the Commons to demand an explanation.
However, neither Sunak nor his deputy Laura Trott were present to address the issue, leaving Bim Afolami to handle the situation. Afolami’s attempts to downplay the significance of the recession and reassure that the Treasury would try to do better were met with open laughter from the Labour frontbench.
Tuesday
In a separate development, John Crace, a journalist, shared his experience of being accidentally tripped while leaving White Hart Lane in London a few weeks ago. This personal anecdote adds a human touch to the news, bringing a relatable aspect to the report.
Wednesday
The House of Commons witnessed SNP and Conservative MPs walking out during a debate on Gaza, highlighting the challenges in holding a mature discussion on the matter. This event underscores the current state of affairs in the UK political landscape.
