Rishi Sunak has become the UK’s first ever Hindu Prime Minister, less than a week after the resignation of Liz Truss.
The 41-year-old Conservative MP was appointed in an effective “coronation” after his only rival in the leadership contest, Penny Mordant, did not make the final ballot. On Sunday, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson – who appeared to be heading for a dramatic comeback – pulled out of the leadership contest.
Sunak, born in the UK city of Southampton to parents of Indian descent who came to Britain in the 1960s, becomes the third British Prime Minister in less than three months.
Johnson was forced to step down after a series of scandals, and Liz Truss became Prime Minister on September 6 after beating Sunak in a leadership contest. But she was forced out after only 44 days, following market backlash to her mini budget.
Sunak is also believed to be the richest ever Prime Minister. His wife, Akshata Murty, is the daughter of Indian tycoon Narayana Murthy, the billionaire co-founder of the information technology group Infosys.
Sunak is likely to remain Prime Minister until at least late 2024 by which time he is legally bound to call a general election. However, opposition parties are pressing him to call one immediately, claiming he does not have a mandate to govern from the British public.
Latest polls show that if an election were held today, the ruling Conservatives would be wiped out and the Labour Party – led by Sir Keir Starmer – put in power.
Follow us on
