PM hopeful Rishi Sunak visits Henley

RISHI SUNAK held a hustings event in Henley on Friday as he continued his bid to become the next prime minister.

He spoke to almost 100 members of the Conservatives in the Queen Elizabeth II hall at the town hall as they prepare to cast their votes for a new party leader.

Mr Sunak, the former chancellor, is taking on former foreign secretary Liz Truss with the result being announced on September 5.

The hour-long event was organised by William Hall, chairman of South Oxfordshire Conservatives, and a former district councillor.

Mr Hall said: “I talked to Rishi’s team and told them about the strong and positive local party we have here and they said it would be fantastic to come and meet a lot of people in an area like Henley.

“He talked about everything from national defence to global warming to how we are going to win the next election and he was extremely well received. He is obviously a very busy man, so we are very grateful to him for making the time to come and talk to us.”

The event was one of six hustings Mr Sunak was taking part in on the day.

Among those in the audience was Henley MP John Howell, who has declared his support for Mr Sunak in the leadership race. He said: “I have known Rishi ever since he came into parliament. I was, and still am, the Government champion for neighbourhood planning and I went to see him in Richmond to help him sort out some problems over neighbourhood planning. It was a very good experience.

“What I was impressed with was the competence of the man, mirrored with his modesty. That is something that you don’t often associate with politicians. I have always supported Rishi over Liz Truss. I think she would make a good prime minister but I still prefer Rishi as what he has to offer is just what is required.

“I thought this event was brilliantly organised, certainly in the number of people attending.

“At the end of his speech, people were coming up to congratulate him and ask him lots of questions. I thought those questions were relevant. None of them was nasty, they were all genuine questions that he answered in a fantastic way.”

Sam Evans, a former town coucillor who runs concierge service Humphreys of Henley, said: “He talked a lot about his values, being a father, having worked in his mum’s shop when he was young and having an understanding of making a living. Family is a huge part of his life.

“He talked more about policy during the questions as these were very specific. I asked about hospitality and the travel sector, which is the third biggest employer in the country yet we have no ministerial representation. Every other industry is represented and we are not.

“I think that prompted some slightly unfortunate decisions through covid. We were supported to an extent but if we had someone who really understood the industry they would have knwon that closing a shop and a hotel are two entirely different situations.

“He responded very positively to everyone’s questions. I think he knows there is a huge job to do and tried to persuade us of his abilities to do it.

“I am close to a decision but I am not there yet. It’s an incredibly important decision and that is why I have tried to listen to all the arguments and wait until the last moment to vote.

“They are both absolutely focused on doing the right thing for this country. I think they would both do a fantastic job.”