Rishi Sunak will officially become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on the 25th. (Source: Visual China)
On October 24, local time, the British Prime Minister's Office issued a message briefly introducing the procedures for the handover of the British Prime Minister. The current Prime Minister Elizabeth Truss will deliver a speech in Downing Street on the morning of the 25th local time, and then go to Buckingham Palace to meet with King Charles III of the United Kingdom.
After that, the new leader of Britain's ruling Conservative Party, Rishi Sunak, will travel to Buckingham Palace to meet with Charles III, and after accepting the appointment of Charles III, Sunak will officially become the British Prime Minister. He will also give a brief speech upon his return to Downing Street.
Sunak became Britain's first Indian prime minister, the fifth prime minister since the 2016 Brexit referendum and the third prime minister this year.
Descendants of Indian immigrants
When running for party leader, Sunak tirelessly told his family story. He said his family experiences fit the image of the Conservative Party very well, and it was all stories of ideals and struggles.
On October 24, in London, England, Rishi Sunak left the headquarters of the Conservative Party. Xinhua News Agency
Sunak comes from a self-made family of Indian immigrants. After World War II, many immigrants from former British colonies went to Britain to help rebuild.
Sunak's father was a doctor in Southampton and his mother ran a local pharmacy. Growing up in a relatively well-off family, Sunak attended Winchester College, a top private school, which also made him surrounded by celebrities.
A video shows the young Sunak bluntly speaking to the camera that he "has aristocratic and upper-class friends, but no friends from the working class".
"Sunak is smarter, a top student at Oxford University, and a professional politician." Tian Dewen, deputy director and researcher of the Institute of Russian and Eurasia of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that Johnson, Truss and Sunak all graduated from Oxford University, which can be described as one of the cradles of British politicians.
It is reported that from the first Prime Minister recognized in British history to Sunak in 2022, there are 79 prime ministers, of which 26 graduated from Oxford University.
After graduating from Oxford University, Sunak joined Goldman Sachs as an analyst.
Three years later, he joined a hedge fund management firm and became a partner in 2006.
On October 24, in London, England, Rishi Sunak left the headquarters of the Conservative Party. Xinhua News Agency
During this time, he attended Stanford University Graduate School of Business and received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 2006.
There he met his wife, Akshata Murti. Murthy is the daughter of one of the founders of Indian software giant Infosys Ltd. Sunak is also nicknamed the son-in-law of "Bill Gates of India".
The couple tied the knot in 2009 and have two daughters. Sunak once quipped that he "listened to the advice of his two young daughters, who are experts in my family" on climate change.
A rising star
After graduating, Sunak worked in the fund business in investment banking. Coupled with Murty's family background, Sunak can be described as a rich family. The couple's fortune is estimated to be close to £700 million.
But around 2015, Sunak's career began to turn to politics, arguably a late start.
Source: Reuters
In 2015, Sunak was elected MP in the Richmond constituency of Yorkshire. Shortly thereafter, the first major battle of Sunak's political career took place over Brexit. He believes that Brexit will be "freer, fairer and more prosperous".
In recent years, as the Conservative Party has promoted its diversity proposition, Sunak has ushered in more opportunities.
In early 2018, then-Prime Minister Theresa May gave Sunak his first government job, making him a junior minister and handling local government affairs.
In early 2020, Sunak's support for Johnson was rewarded as Chancellor of the Exchequer under then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The 39-year-old Sunak has become the "number two" in the political arena, attracting widespread attention.
Despite the aura of being the "youngest financial minister", Sunak faces a severe test. At the time, the coronavirus pandemic was raging in the UK, economic activity had come to a significant standstill, and Sunak had to quickly draft a huge financial support plan.
At the time, Sunak's approval ratings soared when he promised to help people weather the effects of the pandemic "at all costs" and launched a £330 billion government loan scheme. In addition, Sunak has also launched people-friendly relief activities such as "eating and helping".
It has been commented that, in general, it is easier for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to receive praise and support when allocating funds and spending money. But Sunak is credited more for his rejection of obscure jargon, plain language and seeming determination to solve the economic crisis.
At that time, in the eyes of many people, Sunak seemed to be at the helm, and he was once regarded as a potential "successor" to Johnson.
However, the UK economy has not been able to "clear up" consistently. Subtly, as the effects of massive economic bailouts become apparent, Sunak may now need to pay for the two-year-old plan with a sound fiscal plan.
As Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sunak is also seen as one of Johnson's "right hand men". But since the beginning of this year, the "partygate" scandal involving Johnson and government officials has continued to ferment, and Sunak has also been affected, and his "drunk-not-free" image has been broken.
Sunak Source: Reuters
In July, Sunak's resignation was the trigger for Johnson's downfall, a "betrayal" that also caused Sunak to be criticized.
Later, in the party leadership election triggered by Johnson's resignation, Sunak criticized his opponent Truss's promise of tax cuts as a "fantasy economy" and promised that he would make curbing inflation a priority. At first, Sunak came far ahead, highlighting his popularity among Conservative MPs, the party's elite. But in the minds of the Conservative grassroots members, Sunak lost to Truss.
As Sunak moves closer to the public eye, his image as an elite billionaire becomes increasingly prominent. The civil servant was once photographed wearing a suit worth about 30,000 yuan and using a coffee cup worth about 1,500 yuan...
At a time when the British economy is weak and the people are financially strapped for money, this scene is a bit dazzling. In addition, Murthy was previously accused of underpaying taxes in the UK, and Sunak held a US green card until last year.
First Prime Minister of Indian origin
Since his defeat in the party leadership election in September, Sunak has kept a low profile. But subtly, in just over a month, he once again ushered in the opportunity to occupy 10 Downing Street.
On the 24th, members of the British Conservative Party greeted the new party leader Sunak (center) outside the headquarters.
Plans couldn't keep up with the change, and Truss was forced to resign after only 45 days in office. The economic chaos under Truss seems to indicate that Sunak's previous views on the economic situation in the UK are correct, which has also become a major advantage of Sunak's campaign.
Against this backdrop, Sunak once again challenged himself. "I'm going to fix our economy, unite our party, and serve our country," he said. ”
After Johnson withdrew from the party leadership race, Sunak won the election with ease.
Conservative MP Gavin Williamson said Sunak's talent, integrity and humility were necessary for the party to move towards stability.
Right now, Sunak is walking to the center of the stage as a man at the helm. Sunak's appointment as party leader also meant that a Western party, traditionally represented by white men, would be represented by a dark-skinned Indian.
However, given the current precarious situation of the Conservative Party and the series of challenges facing the UK in domestic and foreign affairs, it remains to be seen whether the 42-year-old Sunak can rise to the top of the party and the position of prime minister.
Jill Rutter, a senior fellow at the Institute of Government in London, said the set of challenges would require a very skilled politician to solve. "The really interesting question is, is Sunak's skills good enough?"
Modi tweeted "warm congratulations"
Indian Prime Minister Modi "warmly congratulated" Sunak on his election on Twitter on the 24th.
Modi tweeted, "As you become Prime Minister, I look forward to our close cooperation on global issues to implement the 2030 Roadmap." In addition, Modi sent Diwali wishes to Indians in the UK, saying "we are transforming our historical ties into modern partnerships." ”
The news that Sunak is about to become British prime minister has excited many Indians. British Reuters reported on the 24th that Sunak, a devout Hindu, was photographed lighting candles outside 11 Downing Street to celebrate Diwali. Now as Hindus around the world celebrate the holiday, many Indians are excited about Sunak's election. Some Indian people said on social media that India recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule, and Sunak became the British prime minister in this year of special significance. Some Indians hope that Sunak's inauguration as prime minister will bring India-Britain ties closer.
Biden: It's "groundbreaking"
On the 24th local time, US President Biden praised Sunak as "a groundbreaking milestone" at the White House event to commemorate Diwali in Indian history.
According to reports, Biden and Vice President Harris attended the White House event to commemorate Diwali on the same day. In his speech, Biden mentioned Sunak, who is of Indian descent.
"Diwali reminds each of us that we have the power and power to dispel darkness and bring light to the world," Biden said. It's a choice, and we make that choice every day. This is true in our lives and in the lives of this country, especially in a democracy. Whether it is the American family, the Indian family commemorating the 75th anniversary of India's independence, and including the British ... Just today we received news that Rishi Sunak will become the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. ”
"I think Sunak will be officially appointed tomorrow after meeting with Charles III," Biden added, "It's pretty amazing, it's a groundbreaking milestone, it's important."
White House press secretary Jean-Pierre said Biden would speak with Sunak in the coming days. She said that as is customary, the president of the United States waits until the incoming British prime minister meets with the monarch and is formally invited to form a new government.
"But President Biden looks forward to speaking with Sunak in the days ahead," Jean-Pierre said, underscoring the U.S. commitment to continuing to work closely with the UK.
Popular Newspaper and Peninsula News are synthesized from Xinhua News Agency, Shangguan News, The Paper, Observer Network, Daily Economic News, Global Network, etc