The new Conservative Party leader, Rishi Sunak, was named British Prime Minister by King Charles III on Tuesday, following the resignation of Liz Truss.
The monarch invited Sunak to form a new government as leader of the parliamentary majority party, and in Downing Street he delivered his maiden speech as the new head of the British government.
Rishi Sunak stated that he accepted King Charles III’s invitation to form a government and began his speech stress that the country is facing a “deep economic crisis”, referring to the still lingering effects of the covid-19 pandemic and the effects of the war in Ukraine on the markets.
He praised his predecessor by saying that Liz Truss rightly wanted to improve the growth of the country. “It’s a noble goal. And I admired the zeal to bring about change. But mistakes were made,” he admitted. He said he was elected prime minister in part to “correct” these mistakes. A work that starts “immediately”, he emphasized.
“I will unite our country, not with words, but with deeds,” Sunak pledged, also ensuring that economic stability is a priority for the new government and that, he warned, “will make difficult decisions”.
Recalling his experience as finance minister during the covid-19 pandemic in formulating policies to support families and businesses, Sunak said he will “apply the same compassion to the challenges we face today”.
He was determined not to leave “the next generation, your children and grandchildren, with a debt we were too weak to pay on our own.”
He acknowledged that the country is going through a “difficult time” and that he will work day in and day out for the British people. He promised a government with “integrity, professionalism and accountability at all levels”. “I know I have to work to restore confidence after everything that has happened,” Sunak said. “I’m not afraid.”
“I understand the high position I have accepted and I hope to meet the demands. But when the opportunity to serve presents itself, you cannot question the opportunity, only the will,” he said.
“Trust is earned and I will earn yours,” he promised the British.
The new prime minister’s priorities also include “a stronger national health service, better schools, safer streets”, as well as border control, environmental protection, support for the armed forces and growing the economy with “the chances of Brexit”.
Sunak also referred to Boris Johnson when he thanked the former prime minister’s “incredible achievements”, but claimed he had the legitimacy to lead the British government.
“The mandate my party won in 2019 is not the exclusive property of any person,” he argued.
“I am here for you, ready to lead our country into the future. Put the country’s needs above politics, reach out and build a government that represents the best traditions of my party,” he assured.
He also expressed his determination to “create a future worthy of the sacrifices so many have made and fill with hope tomorrow and every day after.”
The King received the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP at Buckingham Palace today.
His Majesty asked him to form a new government. mr. Sunak accepted His Majesty’s offer and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. pic.twitter.com/UnT3jMS8so
– The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 25, 2022
Earlier, after chairing a meeting of the Council of Ministers at 9:00 am, his predecessor made a farewell statement outside the official residence in Downing Street.
“It was an honor to be Prime Minister” of the United Kingdom, began with Liz Truss.
During the brief statement, he said his reign, which lasted just 44 days, “acted urgently and decisively alongside families and businesses”. “We’ve helped millions of households with their energy bills and thousands of companies avoid bankruptcies”illustrated.
“We are regaining our energy independence so that we are never again subject to global market fluctuations or malevolent foreign powers,” Truss said.
The outgoing head of government defended the need for a bold policy to solve the country’s problems.
“From my time as Prime Minister, I was more convinced than ever that we have to be brave and face the challenges,” she said.
He reaffirmed that the UK cannot be a low-growth country” and that it is necessary to “take advantage of the freedoms” that Brexit brings to “do things differently”. will yield”.
Liz Truss also argued that the UK should continue to support Ukraine “more than ever”.
He decided to wish his speech “all success” to his successor Rishi Sunak. “I believe in the UK, I believe in the British people and I believe better days will come.”
Truss will be received by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, where he will formally resign as Prime Minister.
The main names of the new government should be known on Tuesday
Now the formation of the new Executive follows, with the most important names to be announced next Tuesday. Sunak has chosen to unify the party as a priority, so he will face pressure to elect representatives from the different currents of the “Tories.”
The main focus will be on Jeremy Hunt and whether he stays on as Treasury Secretary, given the important role he has played in calming the financial markets in recent days.
Another curiosity is the fate of Penny Mordaunt, Sunak’s only declared opponent in this election who ultimately failed to gain enough support.
Mordaunt was formerly Secretary of Defense and currently holds the position of Leader of the House of Commons, a government post equivalent to Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs.
Sunak, 42, of Indian immigrant descent, becomes Britain’s third prime minister in seven weeks, after Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, and the youngest since 1783.
The former Chancellor of the Exchequer was the only candidate for Conservative Party leadership to receive the requisite support from at least 100 of the 357 Conservative MPs.
In a statement at party headquarters in London on Monday, he said he took responsibility with “humility and honour” and promised “stability and unity” at a time when the UK faces “a major economic challenge”.
News updated at 13:02
Source: DN
