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When I came across the news last week that Britain’s Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, was preparing to embark on his first proper family vacation in four years, I was genuinely surprised. Even the most dedicated workaholic would typically manage to take some time off during that period.
Granted, it was impossible for Sunak to take a vacation during the depths of the pandemic. He took on the roles of Treasury minister in July 2019, Chancellor in February 2020, and Prime Minister in October of the same year. There were also previous attempts at a break, such as when he tried to take a vacation on a Spanish island after losing the Tory leadership contest to Liz Truss, but had to return abruptly after 15 hours due to the Queen’s passing.
However, four years without a proper family holiday is noteworthy. It’s odd and somewhat concerning that this information is being made public, as it invites suspicion and resentment. Many individuals don’t take all the vacation time they are entitled to due to various reasons. They might be living in a country like the US, which doesn’t guarantee paid holidays for workers. They could also be pressured by their managers to keep working or simply unable to afford a vacation.
Even in the relatively wealthy EU, 29% of citizens couldn’t afford a one-week holiday away from home last year, according to official data. While this figure has improved from 40% in 2013, it remains high, especially among the poorest populations. This issue extends outside the EU as well. There are people who haven’t had a vacation in over a decade, taking annual leave just to work elsewhere.
The point here is not to highlight Rishi Sunak’s wealth as one of the UK’s wealthiest prime ministers. It’s more relevant to recognize that, pandemic aside, he has significantly more freedom to take a family vacation than many of the people he governs.
Of course, this assumes that he actually desires to take such a vacation. Not everyone does. Margaret Thatcher was famously not fond of holidays, and Donald Trump vehemently expressed his opposition to vacations. Even Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, admitted that he only went on family beach vacations because he felt obliged to, and could only tolerate playing with his kids for a short time before longing for a crisis to attend to.
It’s not uncommon for successful leaders to feel this way. A long-term study from Harvard Business School found that CEOs of large companies worked on 70% of their vacation days, averaging over two hours of work each day. Given Sunak’s reputation as a workaholic and micromanager, it wouldn’t be surprising if he struggled to switch off during a family vacation.
If that’s the case, I would prefer it if he openly admitted it. Instead, we are presented with statements from his press secretary, stating that he believes in the importance of work-life balance and spending time with family, especially if one has young children. However, he may not necessarily be a good example of practicing what he preaches.
Like much else related to Rishi Sunak, it’s difficult to discern his true thoughts and beliefs. Nevertheless, I’m glad he is finally taking a vacation to California with his wife and daughters, and I hope they have a delightful time. Politicians’ vacations often don’t go smoothly, whether due to criticisms of being too posh or too dull, or being interrupted by events back home.
Hopefully, this year will be different for Sunak, not just for his own sake but also as an inspiration to others. In a workforce grappling with increasing burnout, his example of taking a well-deserved break is commendable, albeit overdue. Let’s hope that many more people follow suit.
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