Rishi Sunak regrets using ‘Stop The Boats’ Slogan

Rishi Sunak has admitted that the Conservative Party’s ‘Stop The Boats’ slogan was “too stark” and “too binary”.

Reflecting on his time as Prime Minister, he said he even regrets using the phrase. He acknowledged that, while tackling illegal migration was necessary, the messaging was not right.

Speaking on the BBC’s Political Thinking podcast, Sunak said:

“I probably should have put those priorities, which I still believe were the right priorities, in a better context for exactly how challenging it was.”

Sunak led the Conservatives to a historic election defeat in July 2024. He said that reducing the number of people crossing the Channel remained important but required a different approach.

Sunak said: “Our generosity is limitless, and our compassion is limitless, but our resources are not.

“It’s just fundamentally unfair, and fairness is central to our national character and when people see this happening, I think it undermines that sense of fairness on which our society, our way of life, is based on.”

Rishi Sunak also dismissed the recent debate over his national identity, calling it “slightly ridiculous”.

His comments followed remarks from Konstantin Kisin, who questioned whether Sunak could be considered English due to his ethnicity.

Sunak stated: “Of course I’m English. I found the whole thing slightly ridiculous.”

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel echoed his view:

“I do consider myself English, and I’m an Essex MP, so I do frequently say The Only Way is Essex. I do, of course I do.”

Rishi Sunak also rejected claims that his decision to call an early general election was rushed.

“I thought about it hard, and I had been thinking about it for quite a while.”

He argued that waiting would not have improved the situation.

“I think getting the Rwanda scheme up and running was going to be hard, and I think it would have required a mandate.”

He added that he wanted to take radical steps on tax and welfare but believed they would have been difficult without electoral backing.

Sunak said he would support his successor, Kemi Badenoch, if she chose to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.

He also backed cuts to welfare spending to fund an increased defence budget.

Despite leaving Downing Street, Rishi Sunak said he was “excited” about the future.

He added: “I’m 44, I’ve got years ahead of me, and I don’t want being Prime Minister to be the only thing that defines me professionally. I think I’ve got plenty more to contribute.”