Dear oh dear. Rishi Sunak failed to quash election speculation in this afternoon’s Prime Minister’s Questions and now lobby hacks are desperately trying to figure out whether a big announcement really is looming. In their hunt for clues, a number of journalists have drawn attention to the cancellation of two rather high profile events as Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps hurry back to Westminster for an impromptu cabinet meeting this afternoon.
Shapps has delayed a political visit to Eastern Europe for this afternoon’s meeting – which sources have told the Guardian is rather unusual given ministers are able to request a pass not to attend. But if political correspondents across the country are frustrated by the lack of direction coming from No. 10 on Sunak’s plans, it’ll be nothing compared to what Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton must be feeling. The Foreign Secretary has been forced to change his plans and cut short a trip to Tirana in order to be back in time to see Sunak today – but dreary London hardly compares to what was in store for the Conservative peer.
In a rather extravagant welcome laid on by the Albanian people, vast streets have been decorated with streams of Union Jack bunting while a larger-than-life poster of the Foreign Secretary’s face has been pictured stretched across the side of a building, emblazoned with the words ‘Welcome Lord Cameron’. Talk about putting on a show…
The former prime minister was over to discuss joint UK-Albanian efforts to tackle illegal migration, holding a press conference with Albania’s PM Edi Rama this morning where he hailed the countries’ efforts to curb illegal migration. ‘The partnership between the UK and Albania stands out as a leading example of disrupting the business models of callous people smuggling gangs, significantly reducing dangerous small boats crossings, and providing a more prosperous future for young Albanians,’ the Foreign Secretary proclaimed to reporters earlier, adding: ‘We’ve shown that if you are innovative, if you are creative, if you go to genuine partnership, if you work together as you follow things through, you can achieve extraordinary things which are of benefit to both countries.’
Indeed. But after having to cancel the rest of his trip for a mysterious cabinet conversation, Mr S doubts Lord Cameron will be quite so chipper now…
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