Bernard Sumner, the legendary frontman of iconic band New Order, has broken his silence with a scathing condemnation of the UK government and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In a rare public statement, Sumner pulled no punches in highlighting the government’s mishandling of Brexit, proposed cuts to disability benefits, and the controversial Rwanda policy.
Sumner expressed outrage over the government’s plan to overhaul Personal Independence Payments for individuals with mental health conditions, branding it as a “disgusting way to cut costs.” He suggested that the move may be an attempt to recoup funds squandered on ineffective personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he termed a “scandalous waste of money.”
Sumner cited government data showing that the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) lost a staggering 75% of the £12 billion spent on PPE in the pandemic’s first year due to inflated prices and substandard equipment. He emphasized that £4 billion worth of PPE would never be utilized by the NHS and would need to be disposed of, which he described as “a scandalous waste of money.” He decried the impact on the “sick and vulnerable” who suffer as a result of such profligacy.
The musician also raised concerns about the conspicuous absence of Brexit news, speculating if the BBC and Channel 4 were influenced by funding and license concerns. Sumner questioned if censorship, typically associated with regimes like Russia and China, was creeping into the UK media landscape.
Sumner pointed to the recent rejection by Sunak and Labour of a youth mobility scheme proposed by the EU, which would have allowed young people to live and study within the EU. He expressed dismay that politicians were depriving young people of the same opportunities they enjoyed at a similar age.
Sumner emphasized that the government’s persistent adherence to Brexit, despite its evident failures, was a testament to their antiquated mindset. He cited opinion polls indicating that the British public decisively rejected Brexit, but the government continued to claim otherwise. Sumner highlighted the economic costs of Brexit, estimated at £140 billion, and denounced the Rwanda policy, asserting that it would not exist if Brexit had not occurred.
In his concluding remarks, Sumner demanded that the Conservative Party vacate their positions and that Labour demonstrate the leadership necessary for effective governance. He emphasized that the government’s actions had devastating consequences for the most vulnerable in society and that a change in course was imperative.
