10/24/2022

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            The UK has eclipsed you again. This time it’s the new PM, Rishi Sunak (RS), who dominates the front page. Isn’t it fascinating that the first PM of color in England is conservative? As you know, Rishi is rich. So much so, that he doesn’t know how to buy gas. I am somewhat comforted by the idea that some call him Boris Johnson’s “political assassin.” I hope that means he has some scruples.

            According to my sources he is taking over at an “acutely difficult moment” when the “pound is in a tailspin” & his party is behind in the polls. Moreover, Brits are experiencing a “sense of grassroots alienation” from their leaders, due in part to a fixation on Brexit. It seems like leading the Tories is a losing proposition.

Are you calling him today to greet him into the club of world leaders & to wish him a happy Diwali? If so, you might offer some advice on navigating this tricky time.

I hope you will also discuss Burma, exploited by British colonization for too many years. RS’s relatives back in India know all about the longterm impacts of British rule & hopefully, RS has stayed in touch with them so he will have some sympathy for the Burmese.

I hope you will both do what you can to restore democracy there. The junta is getting more & more desperate leading the generals to make terrible choices. Yesterday they bombed a Kachin celebration in the northern mining region & killed 60, including musicians & cooks. As you know the Kachin have an Independence Army that has been battling the military for 60 years, so the folks there are used to fighting, but targeting civilians is a war crime. Please ask RS to join you in condemning that action.

RS will be “kissing hands” with King Charles III (KC3) on Thursday. That should be interesting. I will hold them both in the Light.

BYBS,