Rishi Sunak: The unelected PM who’s made history
Rishi Sunak has been appointed prime minister of the UK – the country’s third PM in a matter of months. But his appointment is significant – he’s the first PM of British Asian background, he’s the youngest PM in 200 years and he’s perhaps a return to more stable politics.
Gone are the characters Boris Johnson and Liz Truss created, Sunak’s appointment feels like a return to serious politics. His speech outside No10, after his audience with the King, felt more professional, more sensible and more stable than anything we’ve had over the past few years.
Sunak has far superior economic knowledge than his predecessors, and when he served as chancellor during the pandemic, he was seen as a safe pair of hands for the country’s money.
It’s the sort of stability the country needs, and whilst many believe there should be an early general election, it’s extremely unlikely it will happen. So with Sunak in power, Britain may see calmer waters once again.
Beyond the economy, there are many challenges facing the country – from the NHS to the cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine.
Sunak was without a doubt the best candidate for the job. But his appointment is still controversial.
Boris Johnson won the general election in 2019, he was ousted and replaced with Liz Truss – who was elected via a vote amongst Tory Party members. But Truss was out less than six weeks after she took office, and Sunak has become our newest PM in a matter of months.
He was not elected to power by either the country or by the party members. And whilst this doesn’t break any rules, there will be plenty of pressure on Sunak to call a general election.
But Sunak won’t be calling a general election – the Conservatives have awful poll results and Labour would easily win a general election if it was called today.
PM Rishi Sunak has a packed intray of mess he needs to sort out and little time to unite the party and change the public opinion on the Tory party – after a difficult few years.
UK national newspaper react to PM Rishi Sunak
Most of the national newspapers recognise the historic moment which is the appointment of the first British Asian PM. The papers also note he is the first practising Hindu and the youngest PM in 200 years.
The right-wing papers declare it as “historic” and discuss Sunaks intelligence and strength of character, picking up on Sunak’s comments that the party must “unite or die” – meaning the party will be destroyed by Labour in the next general election if they don’t come together and get behind the new PM.
Rishi Sunak is the right man
The Times says Sunak’s “absolute focus” is bringing the party together again. The paper quotes sources close to him as saying it will be a tough road ahead and unless the party faces difficult decisions together, then they are finished.
The Guardian also reports on comments from Sunak’s allies, who claim that he will reach across the whole Tory party – in stark contrast to Liz Truss or Boris Johnson, the paper adds.
The pro-Tory Daily Express declares the incoming PM as the right man for the job, due to his intellectual calibre, grasp of policy and strength of character”. The paper was a staunch Liz Truss supporter during the summer leadership race. They describe his comeback, after losing to Truss, as “extraordinary.” The paper’s headline notes his appointment to the top job is “historic.”
The Daily Telegraph says the new PM was left “devastated” by the summer defeat to Liz Truss – but now he can implement his policy agenda.
“A new dawn for Britain” claims the Daily Mail’s front page. The paper says Sunak is determined to avoid the errors made by Liz Truss and Boris Johnson. The pro-Tory paper describes his journey to No10 as “remarkable” and “inspirational”.
The Sun strikes a similar tone saying Sunak experienced a “meteoric rise” and thanks to his “rigour and work ethic.” The paper uses a doctored image of the new PM holding a lightsabre – a reference to his love for Star Wars with the headline: “The force is with you, Rishi.”
Yet another unelected PM
The left-wing media is calling for an early general election – pointing to the fact that no one voted for Rishi Sunak, not even the Tory Party members. The papers note Rishi Sunak’s wealth saying he is out of touch with the working people and that he will return the UK to austerity.
The Daily Mirror’s front page asks “who voted for you?” and notes that yet another Tory MP is taking office without being officially elected. The paper claims the new PM is “clueless about ordinary people” and “intent on eye-watering cuts.”
The i reports that grassroots Tories are angry they didn’t get to vote in the new PM as Penny Mordaunt conceded moments before the deadline passed. One former Tory party member reportedly said it was an “outrageous coup.”