UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was spotted donning a £750 (Rs 79,000) Tumi backpack as he embarked on a campaign visit to some of the country’s poorest regions. The sight of the PM with the high-end accessory, monogrammed with his initials "RS", has ignited a fresh wave of criticism over his apparent disconnect from the financial struggles faced by many citizens.
Sunak's history of displaying his wealth has not gone unnoticed. In July 2022, during his initial bid for the Tory leadership, he wore £490 (Rs 52,000) Prada suede shoes to a building site in Teesside, where he addressed the financial anxieties of the public.
More recently, he faced ridicule for posing with a £180 (Rs 19,000) Ember travel mug as Chancellor and for wearing Adidas Samba trainers in an ill-received fashion statement just last month.
Sunak attempted to downplay the backlash over his choice of footwear by addressing comments about his Adidas Sambas. He said on LBC, "Well, I issue a fulsome apology to the Samba community. But in my defence, I would say I have been wearing Adidas and Sambas and others, in fact, for many, many years. It’s the first pair my brother got for me many, many years ago. [I got] my first pair of fun Adidas trainers as a Christmas present and I haven't looked back since, so I've been a long-time devotee."
Sunak’s extravagant lifestyle, thanks to his and his wife Akshata Murty's combined fortune of £651 million, continues to be a focal point for critics. This wealth, largely derived from Murty's stake in Infosys, an IT giant founded by her father NR Narayana Murthy in India, places them above even King Charles in terms of personal wealth.
Sunak, who travelled via the sleeper service to Penzance, Cornwall - with his luxury backpack - was met with pointed questions upon his arrival. His decision to allocate £1.5 billion funds from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to finance his National Service plan—a move that could strip vital financial support from struggling areas—has been particularly contentious.
The UKSPF is crucial for regions like Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales, Cornwall, and the Tees Valley, which stand to lose significant community safety and high street regeneration funds. In Cornwall alone, the fund represents £145 (Rs 15,000) per person.
Despite the controversy, Sunak maintained a positive demeanour, expressing his enjoyment of the train journey. "The train was great, I thoroughly enjoyed it," he said. "I've been taking lots of pictures and videos - sending back to my kids - and saying we'll be back here as a family at some point. I'm excited to be out and about in Cornwall and heading up to Devon later today."
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