PM Rishi Sunak speech – ‘I am not daunted’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has given his speech outside No10 saying he has accepted an invitation from King Charles III to form a new government.
“It is only right to explain why I am standing here as your new prime minister,” he says.
“Right now our country is facing a profound economic crisis.
“The aftermath of Covid still lingers.”
On Liz Truss
Sunak pays tribute to Truss, saying she was not wrong to want to improve growth in this country, saying “it’s a noble aim”.
He says he admired her restlessness to create change – but “some mistakes were made”.
“Not born of ill will or bad intentions, quite the opposite. But mistakes nonetheless.”
He adds that he has been chosen to fix some mistakes that had been made by his predecessor. “That work begins immediately.”
I will unite our country
PM Rishi Sunak said that when he was chancellor he did everything he could “to protect people and businesses” through schemes such as furlough.
“I will bring the same compasssion to the challenges we face today,” he says, adding that he will not leave the next generation with a “debt to settle that we were too weak to pay ourselves”.
“I will unite our country not with words but with action,” says Sunak.
“I will work day in and day out to deliver for you.”
He says his government will have integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level.
“Trust is earned and I will earn yours,” he says.