Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister of the UK on 25 October 2022, having been selected by Tory MPs.
Educated at Winchester College and Oxford University, Rishi Sunak was elected Conservative MP for Richmond (Yorks) in May 2015.
The previous posts he has held in the UK Government are as follows:
- Chancellor of the Exchequer from 13 February 2020 to 5 July 2022.
- Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 24 July 2019 to 13 February 2020
- Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government from 9 January 2018 to 24 July 2019.
In his first speech as Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak paid tribute to his predecessor Liz Truss but admitted that ‘some mistakes had been made.’ He also praised her predecessor, Boris Johnson and his ‘incredible achievements’.
PM Sunak then pledged to fulfill the Tory manifesto of 2019:
- A stronger NHS.
- Better schools.
- Safer streets.
- Control of our borders.
- Protecting our environment.
- Supporting our armed forces.
- Levelling up and building an economy that embraces the opportunities of Brexit, where businesses invest, innovate, and create jobs.
And he concluded:
“Together we can achieve incredible things. We will create a future worthy of the sacrifices so many have made and fill tomorrow, and everyday thereafter with hope.”
What has been the reaction from Scottish politicians to his appointment?
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Emma Roddick said:
“Folk across the Highlands & Islands have already paid the highest price for reckless Tory leadership.
“The Conservative Party and its shambolic leadership are an utter embarrassment to this country and Scotland is now faced with a 10th Tory Prime Minister that it has not voted for.
“The Tory government are yet to show a glimmer of hope for the people of Scotland. Households across the Highlands & Islands have borne the brunt of its cruel policies for far too long and enough is simply enough.
“A General Election is the most likely solution for the problem’s Scotland faces in the short-term and the public must be given the option to go to the polls, but it is clear that the Union is not working for Scotland.
“The Union is not fit for purpose and hasn’t been for a long time. The system is rigged against Scotland, and against progressive politics. Only with the full powers of Independence will Scotland be able to reach its full potential. We can and must do better.”
Douglas Ross MSP, MP, is head of the Tories in Scotland. He said:
“With Rishi Sunak as our new Prime Minister, it’s time to get to work to deliver for Scotland and the whole United Kingdom.”
Alister Jack is the Secretary of State for Scotland. He hasn’t said anything yet
Anas Sarwar is leader of the Labour Party in Scotland. He said:
“They may have changed the person at the top, but the rot runs deeper than that. The Tories have no mandate.”
Alex Cole Hamilton, MSP, is the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland. He said:
“Rishi Sunak is the third chaotic Conservative Prime Minister in three months. Conservative MPs have installed another out-of-touch Prime Minister with no plan to repair the damage and without giving the British people a say. “We need a General Election now.”
So what happens next?
Now Prime Minister Sunak is selecting his Cabinet, rewarding some and getting rid of others. Although there are calls for a General Election, that is extremely unlikely given the polling data and the disaster that the Tories would face.