UK's new leader: Statesmanship required to achieve Global Britain

Whereas Truss, oblivious to the country's economic plight, including a gap in the budget of GBP 400 billion resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, says that, as a "freedom-loving Conservative", she wants to slash taxes, Sunak realizes that prudent economic management requires more than fancy soundbites, and that people should not believe in "fairytales".

Whereas Thatcher was a fiscal Conservative who believed firmly in a balanced budget, in keeping inflation under control, in people not getting something for nothing, and in living within one's means, it is Sunak who is keeping her flag flying, as his more economically literate colleagues appreciate.

The former Conservative Party leader, Michael Howard, for example, who served under Thatcher, has explained that she "certainly did not believe in cutting taxes in an irresponsible way". He added that, because the national debt is already so high, "it would be foolish for us to embark on a tax-cutting spree", as this would result in even higher debt as well more inflation (currently running at almost 10 percent, the highest in 40 years).

Whereas one former Thatcher minister, Malcolm Rifkind, has explained that she "believed that tax cuts should be funded either by economic growth that was already producing more revenue, or by cuts in public spending", another, Norman Lamont, has emphasized that she "strongly believed that cutting the deficit came before cutting taxes".

This, unfortunately, is lost on Truss, and it is no wonder that Sunak has branded her plans as "immoral", given that they will push up inflation, increase mortgage rates and damage the economy.

Even the UK's Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, who knows both Sunak and Truss very well, says "Rishi's values are our values", and describes him as "a true Conservative, imbued with the values of enterprise, hard work and family".

With each day that passes, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Truss is in thrall to hard right ideologues, and is prepared to say or do whatever it takes to get their backing.

Since becoming Foreign Secretary in 2021, she has gone out of her way to curry favor with them by criticizing China at every opportunity, as well as by misrepresenting the situation in Hong Kong, although this has only helped her up to a point.

While the likes of the former Conservative Party leader, Iain Duncan Smith, who was sanctioned by China in 2021, are certainly now supporting her, her stock has fallen among thinking Conservatives who realize that mindless platitudes are no substitute for judgment or an appreciation of where Britain's national interest really lies.

Because she was never a true believer in Brexit, Truss has failed to appreciate that the UK did not break away from the EU simply to become a US vassal, a situation she has enthusiastically promoted.

By contrast, Sunak, a true Brexiteer, has always been able to see the wider picture. His approach to China is more pragmatic, and he has called for "a complete sea change" in UK-China relations. This, of course, is what "Global Britain" is supposed to be about, not mindless Sinophobia.

On July 1, 2021, when he delivered the Chancellor of the Exchequer's annual Mansion House address, he emphasized that the UK must, as its access to EU markets declines, do more to boost China ties. In other words, he, like British business, wants improved trading relations with China, and he highlighted the need for "a mature and balanced relationship".

Although, after Truss, such enlightenment is a breath of fresh air, she and her attack dogs have already hit back by accusing Sunak of being "soft on China", a capital offense in the eyes of Duncan Smith and his ilk.

In response to her dirty tricks, Sunak has now been obliged to harden his rhetoric on China and defend himself as best he can, even though this has meant joining Truss in the gutter and saying things about China he may subsequently regret.

He has, however, tellingly pointed out that, when it suited her, Truss was friendly enough to Chinese interests in the past.

As Education Minister in the Cameron government, for example, she "rolled out the red carpet" in terms of Confucius Institutes and otherwise. She believed, quite correctly, that her career would prosper if she kept on the right side of Cameron's China-friendly "golden era" policy, and he duly promoted her.

In the post-Brexit world, however, Britain must be able to take full advantage of all its opportunities, and nowhere holds out more promise these days than China.

After an era of mindless hostility, orchestrated by the US, everybody must hope that, when they vote next month, the Conservative Party's members will have the good sense to choose as party leader a true statesman, and not a political pygmy. If nothing else, this will at least give their party a realistic prospect of winning the next general election.

The author is a senior counsel and law professor, and was previously the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Hong Kong SAR.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.