Rishi Sunak will be Britain’s next Prime Minister, after winning the race to become the leader of the Conservative Party.
The former Treasury Chief will take over from Liz Truss who quit last week after 45 tumultuous days in office. Truss’ policy proposals around tax cuts and spending shook the government’s credibility and cost her the confidence of even her initial backers.
Sunak has prevailed in a chaotic Conservative Party leadership race which saw his remaining rival for the position, Penny Mordaunt, withdrawing on Monday.
The former chancellor and son of Indian immigrants will be Britain’s third leader in seven weeks, and the first prime minister of colour in the country’s history.
“There is no doubt we face profound economic challenges. We now need stability and unity, and I will make it my utmost priority to bring my party and country together,’’ he said in his first public comments.
After Truss tenders her resignation to King Charles, Sunak, a Hindu, will officially become the prime minister. The king will then appoint him in the coming days.
