Whitehall is buzzing tonight. The PM just bagged an £18bn Japanese investment pledge. A genuine post-Brexit win.
The deal covers green energy, tech, and financial services. Nissan, Sumitomo, and MUFG are all in. Sources say the Treasury is quietly ecstatic.
But let's not get carried away. This is a single headline. The real test is whether this becomes a trend. The PM's critics will be watching closely.
The opposition will call it a drop in the ocean. They have a point. But for now, Sunak gets a much-needed boost. The lobbying corridors are alive with chatter. This could shift the narrative, if only for a week.
Behind the scenes, the diplomacy was intense. Trade Secretary Badenoch was the key player. She's been working the phones for months. The Japanese ambassador is said to be impressed.
Polling will show a bump. But the fundamental problems remain. Growth is sluggish. The NHS is on its knees. Voters are not easily fooled.
Still, for the PM's inner circle, this is ammunition. They will use it to argue that Brexit works. The eurosceptic wing will be emboldened. Expect more briefings about 'global Britain' in the coming days.
The details: 5,000 new jobs. A new battery gigafactory in Sunderland. A joint research fund for AI. The usual photo ops. But the money is real.
My take: This is a solid win. Not a game-changer. The Treasury knows we need many more such deals to fill the Brexit hole. The question is whether other countries will follow. Time will tell. For now, the PM gets to enjoy a rare moment of good news. Use it wisely, Chancellor.
