Rishi Sunak on Tuesday was appointed as the 57th prime minister of the United Kingdom after King Charles III invited him to form a government, the BBC reported. Sunak was elected as the leader of the Conservative Party on Monday.
Soon after his appointment, several ministers in former Prime Minister Liz Truss’ Cabinet resigned from their positions.
Among those to step down from their position were Justice Secretary Brandon Lewis, Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith, Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena, Welsh Secretary Robert Buckland and Tory Party Chairman Jake Berry. Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg also tendered his resignation, according to the BBC.
Downing Street announced that Alok Sharma will remain in his role as COP26 President but will no longer be a Cabinet minister, reported The Guardian.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who had resigned last week, was re-instated to her position. MP Dominic Raab was made deputy prime minister, lord chancellor, and secretary of state for justice.
Prior to the reshuffle, Sunak delivered a speech from outside his official residence at 10 Downing Street in London. He said he had been elected to “fix the mistakes” made by his predecessor Truss, reported The Guardian.
“Right now, our country is facing a profound economic crisis,” Sunak said. “The aftermath of Covid still lingers and the war in Ukraine has destabilised markets the world over.”
Sunak added that he is ready to lead Britain and put the need of the public above politics.
“Together we can achieve incredible things,” Sunak said, according to The Guardian. “We will create a future worthy of the sacrifices so many have made and fill tomorrow and every day thereafter with hope.”
Sunak’s appointment came after the ruling Conservative Party was forced to conduct another leadership contest following the resignation of Truss on October 20.
Truss was criticised for her handling of the country’s economy and a rebellion within her own outfit about her authority. She remained in office for only 45 days.
Sunak is the first British Asian to become the prime minister of the United Kingdom and the second person to be appointed to the post in less than two months. At 42, he is also the youngest British prime minister ever.
Sunak, born to Indian immigrants, garnered the support of 193 MPs, while his Conservative Party rival Penny Mordaunt got the backing of only 26 MPs before she announced her withdrawal on Monday.
Each candidate required the support of at least 100 MPs to remain in the contest.
Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, said it was clear that Sunak had “no mandate” and renewed calls for a general election, according to The Guardian.
“The Tories have crowned Rishi Sunak as prime minister without him saying a single word about how he would run the country and without anyone having the chance to vote,” she added.
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