Politics

This year’s Rishi Sunak budget photoshoot is here and it’s hilarious, again

The Rishi Sunak budget pictures are becoming an annual tradition – and they’ve delivered this year

22 Mar 2022

Rishi Sunak preparing for his Spring Statement. Image: HM Treasury/Flickr

It’s the Spring Budget 2022 and, like clockwork, the chancellor is posting pictures of himself.

Rishi Sunak could never be accused of ignoring his image. From the slick social media graphics to the Dishy Rishi moniker, he’s got his personal branding under tight control.

So, perhaps as an olive branch to those who’ll be sorely disappointed by tomorrow’s spring statement, HM Treasury has released a tranche of pictures of Sunak doing serious things. It’s an annual tradition, after all.

This year, we’re treated to Sunak laying his speech out on a table in front of him – all 24 pages of it.

Inevitably, it’s sparked reactions. HuffPost UK’s Graeme Demianyk dreamed up one of the more palatable MP’s second jobs of recent years.

Consonant please, Rishi pic.twitter.com/znPNNqKHiW
— Graeme Demianyk (@GraemeDemianyk) March 22, 2022

The crisp white pages were a Photoshopper’s dream, with Mike Barrett projecting some possible ideas for the Spring Budget 2022.

�@ https://t.co/OXjW75AqWe pic.twitter.com/ZxCzdG4gF6
— Mike Barrett (@langcatmike) March 22, 2022

Alternative editing software, of course, is available, as demonstrated by Bloomberg’s Emily Ashton.

Remake of Big looks rubbish pic.twitter.com/AVJ9pygfoX
— Emily Ashton (@elashton) March 22, 2022

Others decided to point out a minor flaw in Sunak saying “work starts tomorrow” with his Spring Budget 2022. Here’s Matt Collins’ effort, highlighting just how long Sunak’s party have had stewardship of the economy.

Sunak: “That work begins tomorrow”
Narrator: “The Conservatives had been in power for 12 years and Sunak had been Chancellor for 2.” https://t.co/w5kXTJhoKI
— Matt Collins (@thegingerMC) March 22, 2022

The media gurus at HM Treasury will surely bristle at the suggestion their latest offering is “stock”. Although Byline Times’ Adam Bienkov may have cracked the inspiration.

These new photos sent out by Team Rishi have a classic stock photo vibe. pic.twitter.com/40k0X085xJ
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) March 22, 2022

It wasn’t just this picture released, however. As part of the “The Chancellor prepares for his Spring Statement” lookbook.

Tucked away in the Flickr album is a gem – Sunak reading an article that appears to be about himself.

The Big Issue will have the essential breakdown and analysis of tomorrow’s Spring Budget 2022.

While a cut to fuel duty has been widely-trailed, groups are calling for further action to tackle the cost of living crisis, including more money for universal credit, bills support, and money to help renters.

Sunak is due to address the commons and deliver his Spring Statement at 12:30pm on Wednesday March 23.

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