Rishi Sunak takes charge as UK\'s first Indian-origin PM after meeting King Charles
London, Oct. 25: Rishi Sunak on Tuesday took charge as Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister, the first person of colour in the chair and the first Hindu to the post, promosing to put the crisis-hit country's needs “above politics” and “fix the mistakes” made by his predecessor, a day after he was elected the leader of the Conservative Party in a historic leadership run.
The 42-year-old investment banker-turned politician, the youngest British prime minister in 210 years, said he was “not daunted by the high office he has accepted” and hoped to live up to its demands. He is the third UK Prime Minister this year after Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.
Sunak, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's son-in-law, warned of “difficult decisions to come.”
As he made his first prime ministerial address on the steps of 10 Downing Street, his offiical residence, he was not joined by his wife Akshata Murty and daughters Krishna and Anoushka as was expected.
Sunak describes himself as a proud Hindu. His victory on Diwali has resonated among the Indian diaspora groups across the UK, who have hailed it as a historic moment in British social history.
Sunak, a Goldman Sachs analyst who only entered parliament in 2015, faces a challenge ending the factional infighting that has brought his party low. Many Conservatives remain angry with him for quitting as finance minister in July and triggering a wider rebellion that ended Johnson's premiership.
In his first address after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, Sunak pointed out he was taking over at a time when the UK was facing a “profound economic crisis” as it dealt with the aftermath of Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“I will unite our country not with words but with action. I will work day in and day out to deliver for you,” Sunak, the second prime minister in as many months and the third this year.
“I stand here before you ready to lead our country into the future, to put your needs above politics, to reach out and build a government that represents the very best traditions of my party. Together we can achieve incredible things. We will create a future worthy of the sacrifices so many have made and fill tomorrow and every day thereafter with hope,” he said.
On a somewhat defiant note to address the Opposition clamour for a general election, he stressed that the mandate the Conservative Party won in 2019 was not the sole property of one person — with reference to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson — but “a mandate that belongs to and unites all of us”.
Earlier in the day, outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss chaired her final Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street before making her way to Buckingham Palace to formally tender her resignation to the 73-year-old monarch.
Sunak then arrived at the palace for his meeting with the King, who then invited him to form a government as the UK's 57th Prime Minister and the third in just seven weeks.
“The King received in Audience The Right Honourable Rishi Sunak MP today and requested him to form a new Administration. Mr Sunak accepted His Majesty's offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, the palace statement said.
Labour leader and the leader of the opposition Keir Starmer congratulated Sunak, but hinted at the need for a general election.
In a readout of a shadow cabinet meeting, Starmer said Sunak “has only ever fought one leadership election battle his entire life and 'got thrashed' by Truss. “And no wonder he doesn't want to fight a general election,” he said.
He then went in for meetings with officials at 10 Downing Street to start finalising his Cabinet, starting with the key roles of Chancellor, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary.
