By noon today the United Kingdom’s third prime minister in less than three months will be installed in 10 Downing Street and will have addressed the public on how he plans to tackle the chaos and economic turmoil his country has experienced in recent weeks.
Dear, oh dear, as King Charles might say.
Rishi Sunak has a major job to do to convince the British public – not to mention the markets – that the Conservative Party can put its troubles behind it and steady the ship of state.
Here’s the playbook on how things will go in London this morning.
Outgoing prime minister Liz Truss will chair her final cabinet meeting at 9am before making a speech outside Downing Street.
She will then go to Buckingham Palace for an audience with the king.
Afterwards, Mr Sunak will go and meet the king, where he will be asked to form a government.
The new prime minister will then give a speech outside Number 10 at about 11.35am.
Expect announcements on who will be part of Mr Sunak’s new cabinet over the afternoon.
Our Political Correspondent Harry McGee has been reporting from Westminster in recent days and here is his report on how the new Tory leader has promised to lead with “integrity and humility” amid “profound economic challenges”.
Today’s lead story focuses on the views in Government Buildings on what a Sunak premiership could mean for the ongoing dispute over the Brexit deal’s Northern Ireland protocol.
Political Editor Pat Leahy and McGee report that the Coalition expects Mr Sunak will introduce a more “pragmatic” approach to the protocol opening the way to a possible deal with the EU which would end the stalemate on the issue.
A common view in the Irish Government, shared by several politicians and senior officials, is that Mr Sunak will want to avoid conflict with the EU as his primary focus will be stabilising sterling and reducing British borrowing costs on international markets, and repairing the UK’s battered public finances.
Sources expect Mr Sunak will be reluctant to risk a trade war with the EU by unilaterally tearing up the protocol.
He has said he favours a negotiated solution to the dispute over the protocol.
Leahy analyses the situation here.
That said, an early breakthrough on the protocol is not expected and it is expected that fresh elections to the Stormont Assembly are likely to be called later this week when the deadline for the formation of the powersharing Executive passes.
Northern Correspondent Seanín Graham reports how politicians in the North have called on Sunak to help resolve the impasse.
Given the challenges facing the UK, the ending of the row over the post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland may be more straightforward than many of Sunak’s in-tray of problems.
Best reads
Jennifer Bray has the details of plans to overhaul Ireland’s licensing laws. Pubs will be allowed to remain open until 12.30am seven days a week, while nightclubs will be allowed to open until 6am, under an overhaul of licensing laws due to be considered by Cabinet today.
Monthly payments for people hosting Ukrainians fleeing war are expected to double to €800 under plans to help tackle Ireland’s refugee accommodation crisis. Jack Horgan-Jones also reports on how ministers agreed the programme of modular homes is being increased by 200 units from its original level of 500 homes.
On the Opinion pages, Fintan O’Toole asks who dares to speak of recent history and outlines how, when it comes to the Troubles, many of the antagonists have a common interest in not looking too hard.
Playbook
The Cabinet will meet in Government Buildings this morning with the refugee crisis expected to feature.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will take Leaders Questions in the Dáil at 2pm.
The post-Budget Finance Bill will continue to be considered in the afternoon.
From 7.30pm there will be a Sinn Féin motion on accessible, affordable and reliable public transport.
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue is to take parliamentary questions from 9.30pm.
Topical Issues will be raised from 11pm.
The Education Committee will examine mental health supports in schools from 11am.
The upcoming international COP27 climate summit will be discussed at the Environment Committee with representatives of – among others Oxfam Ireland and Stop Climate Chaos – also from 11am.
The Housing Committee will hear from South Dublin and Fingal county councils on their implementation of the Government’s Housing for All plan from 3pm.
Catherine Martin will be before the Media Committee as it looks at the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill from 7pm.
