Indians world over rejoiced as Rishi Sunak assumed charge of Britain as its first Indian-origin Prime Minister on Tuesday. During his maiden speech as PM, he promised to ‘fix the mistakes’ of his predecessor and focus on the needs of the country rather than on politics. The 42-year-old investment banker-turned-politician is the youngest British prime minister in 210 years. Sunak is also Britain’s first Hindu Prime Minister. Sunak asserted that he is “not daunted” by the high office he has accepted and hopes to live up to its demands.
“I admired her restlessness to create change. But some mistakes were made. Not borne of ill will or bad intentions. Quite the opposite in fact, but mistakes nonetheless,” he said about his predecessor Liz Truss. “And I have been elected as leader of my party, and your prime minister in part, to fix them. And that work begins immediately,” Sunak said as he sought to bring stability to the UK after months of political and economic turmoil.
“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. Sunak, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s son-in-law, warned of “difficult decisions to come” and pointed to his record as chancellor of the exchequer during the pandemic to promise that he will bring that “same compassion” to the challenges ahead.
“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.
After taking charge, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak began putting his top team in place with key Cabinet appointments and decided to keep the new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, in place for economic stability. In another move aimed at continuity, James Cleverly will stay in his post as Foreign Secretary despite not being a Sunak loyalist.
“It is going to be tough. But protecting the vulnerable – and people’s jobs, mortgages and bills – will be at the front of our minds as we work to restore stability, confidence and long-term growth,” Hunt tweeted soon after. Another close ally, Dominic Raab, who served as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary in the Boris Johnson-led Cabinet returns to the twin posts under Sunak. Raab, who had been the chief cheerleader for Sunak during his latest run for Tory leadership, was widely tipped for a Cabinet return.
