Rishi Sunak was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on September 5, 2023, following the resignation of Boris Johnson. Sunak is a member of the Conservative Party and has served as Chancellor of the Exchequer since 2020. He is the first person of Indian origin to hold the office of Prime Minister.
Sunak was born in Southampton to Indian parents who had emigrated from East Africa. He studied philosophy, politics, and economics at Oxford University, and then went on to work as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. In 2009, he co-founded an investment firm called Theleme Partners.
Sunak entered politics in 2015, when he was elected as the Conservative MP for Richmond (Yorks). He was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government in 2018, and then Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2019. In 2020, he was promoted to Chancellor of the Exchequer.
As Chancellor, Sunak was responsible for overseeing the UK’s economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He introduced a number of measures to support businesses and individuals, including the furlough scheme and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. However, he has also been criticized for his handling of the economy, particularly the rising cost of living.
Sunak is a popular figure among Conservative Party members. He is seen as a competent and experienced politician, and he is also popular with the general public. However, he faces a number of challenges as Prime Minister, including the ongoing cost of living crisis, the war in Ukraine, and the divisions within the Conservative Party.
Only time will tell whether Sunak will be able to succeed as Prime Minister. However, he is a talented politician with a strong track record, and he will be given the opportunity to prove himself.
Here are some of the key challenges that Rishi Sunak faces as Prime Minister:
- The ongoing cost of living crisis: The UK is facing a significant cost of living crisis, with inflation at a 40-year high. Sunak will need to take steps to address this crisis, such as providing financial support to low-income households.
- The war in Ukraine: The war in Ukraine is having a significant impact on the UK economy, with energy prices rising and businesses facing uncertainty. Sunak will need to manage the UK’s response to the war, while also ensuring that the economy continues to grow.
- The divisions within the Conservative Party: The Conservative Party is deeply divided, and Sunak will need to unite the party if he is to be successful. He will also need to win the support of the public, who are increasingly disillusioned with the government.
Rishi Sunak is a talented politician with a strong track record. However, he faces a number of challenges as Prime Minister. Only time will tell whether he will be able to succeed.