Britain: Rishi Sunak becomes new British PM – Politics

Former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak has been sworn in as the new Prime Minister of England. He announced on Monday that his only rival, Benny Mordant, had withdrawn his candidacy in the party’s race to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss. Acting Minister for Parliamentary Affairs tweeted that Sunak has full support.

This clears the way for 42-year-old Sunak. Born in Southampton, the son of Indian immigrants, Sunak became the first British leader from an ethnic minority background in Britain. “Rishi Sunak has been elected leader of the Conservative Party,” confirmed Graham Brady, head of the parliamentary committee in London.

The Tories are seeking a new leadership for the second time in months after Prime Minister Truss stepped down after an unprecedented six weeks under pressure from his party. In the aftermath, former prime minister Boris Johnson was quick to talk of a comeback, but surprisingly pulled out on Sunday evening.

Sunak presented himself as a candidate who could unify the party

Sunak presented himself as a candidate who could unify the party. Most recently, trade minister Kemi Badenoch and former home secretary Suella Braverman, two leading politicians on the far right of the party, have backed him. Against Truss in the party’s internal election campaign against Truss in the summer, he warned of the financial chaos caused by his economic policies during his short tenure.

However, experts point out that Sunak does not have the support of the entire party and faction. Many members blame him for triggering the fall of the popular Johnson by resigning as Treasury Secretary. Additionally, critics point to the wealth of perhaps the richest British MP. The former investment banker is married to the daughter of the Infosys founder, who owns a hundred million pound stake in the Indian IT firm.