When British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his family vacationed in California last week, it stirred barely a ripple of criticism in the UK media. This stands in contrast to past trips by UK leaders that drew mockery or scandal. Sunak’s careful handling of the holiday to his and his wife’s adopted home state may have helped avoid greater scrutiny.
Sunak, his wife Akshata Murty, and their two daughters spent 10 days at the family’s multimillion-dollar Santa Monica penthouse. The prime minister lived and worked in California earlier in his career. He and his wife met while studying there.
The lavish vacation could have resurrected difficult questions about Sunak’s wealth and ties to America. Last year, it was revealed his wife held “non-domiciled” UK tax status, saving millions in taxes on overseas income. Sunak also held a US green card until 2021, fueling suspicion his heart lay in California.
But this time, Sunak escaped his holiday with barely a reproach in the British press. Analysts say this reflects both Sunak’s evolving public image and skilled media management of the trip.
The family kept a low profile, only emerging for photos at a Santa Monica amusement park. The rest of Sunak’s schedule was left to hearsay. He took his daughters to Disneyland and supposedly attended a Taylor Swift concert. But Downing Street declined to confirm details, allowing him privacy unknown to US presidents.
Past UK premiers faced embarrassment over luxury vacations provided by wealthy friends. Boris Johnson’s camping trip was marred by pitching a tent illegally. Sunak’s ability to pay his way may have helped avoid similar mockery.
The choice of California could have revived concerns over his background. But the amusement park photos aligned with typical UK seaside holiday imagery. No evidence emerged Sunak hobnobbed with LA celebrities or Silicon Valley elites.
While unusual for Downing Street to confirm vacation destinations in advance, Sunak broadcast his trip to California on radio the morning prior. He cited the special meaning as where he met his wife and promised an excited family trip to Disneyland.
Overall, Sunak treaded the line between privacy and transparency, avoiding the skeletons of vacations past. After a turbulent first year, his holiday proved a rare smooth patch absent the stormy criticism leaders often face.
With keen media instincts, the ex-banker escaped reviving concerns over his privileged background. The California sojourn passed as just another ordinary family getaway, even if the prime minister and his wife have access to luxuries well beyond most Brits.
For a leader who survived his first year in office but remains broadly unpopular, the uneventful holiday marked a small but symbolic win. Sunak enters the fall having at least learned how to vacation like the average Brit, even if he’ll never face their daily financial reality.
