British Prime Minister faces criticism for missing D-Day event and appearing on TV.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued an apology on Friday after facing backlash for leaving D-Day commemorations in Normandy, France, early to appear on television for an interview. The move stirred controversy at home and was seen as a setback for Sunak’s Conservative Party, which is lagging behind Keir Starmer’s Labour Party in opinion polls.

Sunak admitted, “On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay longer, and I’ve apologized for that, but I also don’t think it’s right to be political in the midst of D-Day commemorations. The focus should rightly be on the veterans.” Meanwhile, Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, remained in Normandy for the duration of the events marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, attended by Britain’s King Charles and President Biden.

Sunak did speak at a British-led event during the commemorations but delegated other duties to ministers, including Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who was pictured with Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. However, Sunak’s decision to leave the event early had reportedly been made weeks in advance, before the general election was called, according to the BBC.

Nonetheless, the optics of the UK leader ditching D-Day commemorations to go on TV and criticize the opposition were not well received. A Conservative politician, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed bewilderment, stating, “I can’t explain it, and I won’t.”

Some in the British press were quick to condemn Sunak’s early departure. Former British army commander Richard Kemp criticized Sunak for not staying, emphasizing the importance of the Prime Minister representing the country and showing gratitude to those who lost their lives. Labour spokesman Jonathan Ashworth called Sunak’s actions “shocking” and emphasized that they demonstrated a lack of judgment and respect.

Nigel Farage, a prominent figure in the Brexit campaign and the leader of the Reform UK party, who is also running in the election, accused Sunak of insulting America with his actions. Farage claimed that Sunak’s behavior showed a lack of care for the country’s history, culture, and people, focusing instead on self-preservation.

The Conservative Party currently lags about 20 points behind Labour in opinion polls, following historic losses in local elections earlier this month. Labour’s victories in key mayoral races, including in London, underscored the party’s growing support.

In an interview with ITV, Sunak accused Labour of planning to raise taxes, stating that households could see an increase of around £2,000 ($2,500) if Labour were to win the election. Labour leaders have refuted this claim, setting the stage for a contentious political battle as the election approaches.

The fallout from Sunak’s controversial early departure from the D-Day commemorations highlights the challenges facing the Conservative Party as it strives to regain ground against the resurgent Labour Party. With tensions running high and political stakes escalating, the upcoming election promises to be a closely contested and pivotal event in shaping the future of British politics.