How Sunak’s early starts could lead to governing with eyes shut

In a very different war on ‘woke’, the prime minister is determined not to sleep in, says Sean O’Grady

A lark, not an owl: Rishi Sunak gets to work early at No 10 (Simon Dawson/10 Downing Street)

A brisk, post-breakfast start to the latest cabinet reshuffle appears to confirm reports that Rishi Sunak is a bit of an early bird – so much so that he is driving his civil servants towards daybreak deadlines. Apparently, the prime minister has such an appetite for hard work, served up with a hefty side order of stats and spreadsheets, that he is up by 6am and his staff must be well prepared for interrogation at nine. In extreme cases, they have to rise at the same ungodly hour as Mr Sunak in order to ready themselves. “Weekends aren’t safe,” says one.

Mr Sunak is no party animal, and is said to rarely go out for dinner. His regime is notably more vigorous than that of Liz Truss (a late night karaoke fan), Boris Johnson (convivial, lazy), or David Cameron (of ‘‘chillaxing’’ fame) – though Theresa May did put the effort in. But austere habits have not always translated to success in 10 Downing Street. History suggests that you can be a competent premier without working yourself into the ground.

Is it true that Margaret Thatcher made do with four hours’ sleep?