Who is Britain's new prime minister Rishi Sunak? Former finance chief becomes new leader

Abigail Adcox

Misty Severi

October 24, 11:40 AM October 24, 11:40 AM

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak won the leadership competition to be the next British prime minister Monday, following the resignation of Prime Minister Liz Truss last week.

Sunak, 42, was a prominent figure in former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Cabinet until his resignation and steered the country's economy through the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Sunak first attempted to become the prime minister over the summer after Boris Johnson resigned from the position but was defeated by Truss. He announced his second bid after Truss's resignation on Thursday.

As Britain's former financial chief, Sunak had cast himself as the candidate who can best address the country's economic crisis, with a background in finance and economics and as the parliamentary private secretary at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

LAWMAKERS UNITE AROUND NEW PRIME MINISTER AS RISHI SUNAK SECURES WIN

"The United Kingdom is a great country but we face a profound economic crisis," Sunak tweeted Sunday. "That’s why I am standing to be Leader of the Conservative Party and your next Prime Minister. I want to fix our economy, unite our Party and deliver for our country."

Sunak, who is of Indian descent, will be the country's first Hindu prime minister and first person of color to hold the country's highest elected station.

Sunak said he would focus on tampering inflation rates before cutting taxes over the summer, arguing that it would increase the public debt and be worse for people in the long run if not addressed.

"It’s not moral to ask our children to pick up the tab for the bills that we’re not prepared to pay,” Sunak said in a debate against Truss.

Sunak also accused Truss of telling "fairy tales," referring to the potential fallout of her proposed tax cuts. Truss did end up revealing a mini-budget on her ideas for the economy, but did not propose a way to finance the plan, causing economic uncertainty and worsening the economic crisis.

Sunak has been accused of taking a softened stance on China. However, the former chancellor of the exchequer said that the Chinese Communist Party represented the "largest threat to Britain and the world’s security and prosperity this century" back in July.

To tackle Chinese cyber threats, Sunak has proposed building a new international alliance of "free nations" to share best practices in technology security.

Sunak was first elected as the Conservative member of Parliament for Richmond in May 2015. In February 2020, Sunak was appointed as chancellor of the exchequer. As chancellor, Sunak rolled out a number of aid packages for businesses and residents to help them financially through the pandemic. Earlier this year, he unveiled a plan worth 15 billion euros that was aimed at providing relief to households struggling with the rising cost of living in the country.

He served in the role until July 5, 2022, when he resigned, signaling he had lost confidence in Johnson's ability to lead the party. Prior to his time in politics, Sunak spent years working in finance and "co-founded an investment firm working with companies in multiple geographies," according to his biography on the U.K. government's website.

Sunak will meet with Truss and King Charles III later this week for the official exchange of power, where Truss will officially resign and Sunak will become the new leader. He is expected to give his first address as the new prime minister shortly after the meeting.

UK prime minister: Sunak leads race, Johnson yet to declare

Associated Press

October 23, 01:03 PM October 23, 01:03 PM

LONDON — Former British Treasury chief Rishi Sunak was the front-runner Sunday in the Conservative Party's race to replace Liz Truss as prime minister. Sunak garnered the public support of over 100 Tory lawmakers to forge ahead of his two main rivals: former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and ex-Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt.

But widespread uncertainty remained after British media reported that Sunak held late-night talks with Johnson on Saturday. Speculation mounted that the pair could strike a deal to unite the fractured governing party after it was left reeling from Truss's rapid downfall following Johnson's ouster.

The Conservative Party hastily ordered a contest that aims to finalize nominations Monday and install a new prime minister — its third this year — within a week.

Sunak, 42, was runner-up after Truss in this summer's Tory leadership race to replace Johnson after he was forced out by a string of ethics scandals. On Sunday, he confirmed he was running again in the latest leadership contest.

Sunak has the backing of at least 124 Conservative lawmakers, according to unofficial tallies compiled by British news organizations. That's well ahead of the 100 nominations required to qualify.

"There will be integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level of the government I lead and I will work day in and day out to get the job done," Sunak said in a statement.

Johnson, who has not yet declared if he is running, has public support from about 50 lawmakers so far, while Mordaunt had support from about 23, according to the unofficial tallies.

U.K. Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg told the BBC on Sunday that he spoke with Johnson and "clearly he's going to stand" after flying back to London Saturday from a vacation in the Dominican Republic.

Mordaunt and Johnson — if he confirms he is running — have until Monday afternoon to garner 100 nominations. If all three meet the threshold, lawmakers will vote to knock out one and then hold an indicative vote on the final two.

The party's 172,000 members would then get to decide between the two finalists in an online vote. The new leader is due to be selected by Friday.

A possible return to power for Johnson, 58, who officially quit only in early September, has deeply divided the Conservatives and alarmed many others. Supporters say he is a vote winner and has enough support from lawmakers, but many critics warn that another Johnson government would be catastrophic for the party and the country.

Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker, a former backer of Johnson and an influential politician within the Conservative Party, warned a Johnson comeback would be a "guaranteed disaster." Baker noted that Johnson still faces an investigation into whether he lied to Parliament while in office about breaking his government's own coronavirus restrictions during parties at Downing Street.

If found guilty, Johnson could be suspended as a lawmaker.

"This isn't the time for Boris and his style," Baker told Sky News on Sunday. "What we can't do is have him as prime minister in circumstances where he's bound to implode, taking down the whole government ... and we just can't do that again."

But Johnson won the backing of several senior Conservatives, including Nadhim Zahawi, another former Treasury chief.

"He was contrite and honest about his mistakes. He'd learned from those mistakes how he could run No 10 and the country better," Zahawi said.

Truss quit Thursday after a turbulent 45 days, conceding that she could not deliver on her botched tax-cutting economic package, which she was forced to abandon after it sparked fury within her party and weeks of turmoil in financial markets.

Sunak, who was Treasury chief from 2020 until this summer, steered Britain's slumping economy through the coronavirus pandemic. He quit in July in protest of Johnson's leadership.

In the summer contest to replace Johnson, Sunak called promises by Truss and other rivals to immediately slash taxes reckless "fairy tales" and argued that climbing inflation must be controlled first.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE

Tory voters backed Truss over Sunak, but he was proved right when Truss's unfunded tax-cutting package triggered chaos in the markets in September.

Dozens among Britain's 357 Conservative lawmakers have not yet publicly declared whom they are backing to replace Truss.

SEE IT: Social media trolls Liz Truss following resignation

Jenny Goldsberry

October 20, 11:12 AM October 20, 11:12 AM

Social media erupted at the news that U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned Thursday.

Truss was the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter Thursday morning. A hashtag calling for a general election across the country, #GeneralElectionNow, was also subsequently trending online.

At least five members of Parliament, including Nadia Whittome, Sarah Olney, John McDonnell, Ian Blackford, and Caroline Lucas, took to Twitter to call for a general election following Truss's resignation. Instead, Graham Brady, the chairman of the committee of Conservative lawmakers, will oversee the process of electing a new leader, which the country hopes to do over the next week. Party members are expected to vote between a short list of two candidates selected by Conservative lawmakers by the end of the month.

LIZ TRUSS QUITS: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS JUST SIX WEEKS AFTER TAKING OVER AS LEADER

"It’s over. Liz Truss is resigning and will become shortest-serving Prime Minister in British history," television host Piers Morgan tweeted. "What an absolute shambles."

"I’ve had pimples that lasted longer than Liz Truss as Prime Minister," television commentator Anna Navarro-Cardenas tweeted.

"The beauty of having Liz Truss as PM is that we no longer have to wonder what a Sarah Palin presidency would have looked like," comedian Reginald D. Hunter wrote.

"If only Biden, Kamala and Pelosi would do what Liz Truss did today ..." radio host Tim Young tweeted.

"Liz Truss for Celebrity Big Brother," drag queen Tia Kofi wrote, referring to a reality television series based in the United Kingdom.

Many more Twitter users brought attention to the fact that Truss did not outlast a head of lettuce that local newspaper the Daily Star had set out on a livestream to measure Truss's tenure as prime minister.

"Hearing that Liz Truss’s ousting is part of a Romainer plot," author Kit Yates captioned a picture of a head of lettuce at the prime minister's podium. "Hail Caesar?"

Still, other politicians across the world showed their support for the former PM.

"[Liz Truss] thanks for the help!" Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko tweeted. "You are a real friend of Ukraine! Ukrainians will not forget you!"

President Joe Biden shared a similar sentiment, thanking Truss "for her partnership on a range of issues including holding Russia accountable for its war against Ukraine. We will continue our close cooperation with the U.K. government as we work together to meet the global challenges our nations face."

Truss was in office for 44 days as former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's successor.

Liz Truss quits: British prime minister resigns just six weeks after taking over as leader

Cami Mondeaux

October 20, 08:37 AM October 20, 09:00 AM

U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss has announced she will resign from her position following weeks of turbulence inside her office, just over a month after being elected in September.

Truss was expected to face challenges when she took office to replace Boris Johnson, who resigned in July following a string of scandals. Upon being elected, Truss faced a slew of obstacles, including soaring inflation and an energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Truss was chosen by the ruling Conservative Party, automatically winning the election that was determined by lawmakers inside the House of Commons rather than the country’s voters. Truss was unpopular among U.K. residents leading up to the election, with that sentiment only increasing after she announced plans to scrap an increase in the corporation tax.

Corporation tax in the United Kingdom was initially set to increase from 19% to 25% under Johnson before Truss scrapped the plan on Sept. 23. Truss later reversed course and decided to go forth with the original plan for the tax.

Truss is now as unpopular as former Prime Minister John Major was after Black Wednesday, when Britain crashed out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, according to polling expert Sir John Curtice. She is also now more unpopular than Johnson was when his "partygate" scandal was at its height in early January.

This story is developing and will be updated.

Trump crowns King Charles III and Liz Truss with favourable critiques

Misty Severi

Oct 04, 10:02 PM October 04, 10:02 PM

Former President Donald Trump showered King Charles III and British Primary Minister Liz Truss with large praise.

In an interview released Tuesday, Trump said he realized Charles "pretty effectively" simply because he used time with the royal through his visits to the United Kingdom even though he was the president, expressing he believes Charles will not be much too outspoken when it will come to politics.

'SINGLE-HANDEDLY Changed THE WORLD': PRINCESS DIANA BULIMIA LETTER ON Exhibit IN LAS VEGAS

"I consider he’ll in all probability retain it the place it’s politically a minor bit since he feels incredibly solid about issues, and not everyone agrees with that," Trump told GB News. "I consider he’ll almost certainly not go over certain elements of what he believes 100%."

Charles, who became king right after the demise of his mom, Queen Elizabeth II, was vocal about a vast array of matters as the Prince of Wales, which includes local weather change and alternative medication. In distinction, the queen steered apparent of publicly commenting on politics.

"Possibly complicated when you are the king — you want to have 100% of the folks adore you like [they did the] queen," Trump explained. "Everybody liked her, ideal? She didn’t have that kind of an agenda. I feel Charles is likely to do very well. I believe he’s bought a good way about him."

The previous president also praised Truss, the new key minister, proclaiming he was astonished at the hits she received around her economic policies.

"I like some of the points she's carried out. She seems very pleasant," Trump mentioned. "I minimize taxes considerably and we did much more organization. She's finished that, and she's taken some hits from it, which surprises me. It could be that at the conclude of the yr, there will be larger revenues. It really is going to be quite interesting. What she did was pretty inverse to what some persons believed, but that would not necessarily mean that they ended up proper. I have a experience that she will be suitable."

Truss unveiled her "mini-spending budget" previous month but backtracked on her system to increase government borrowing to fund tax cuts for the wealthy in excess of the weekend. In the wake of her mini-budget, the pound dropped to its least expensive stage from the U.S. dollar before recovering.

Though Trump praised Britain's latest leaders, he experienced much less favorable assessments of Truss's predecessor, previous Boris Johnson, who was less than good tension to resign immediately after Conservative lawmakers and workers customers filed their resignations about the "Partygate" scandal.

"Boris was a close friend of mine — probably he even now is — but I have not spoken to him in a even though," Trump stated. "The trouble Boris has is he went liberal all of a unexpected, and I believe that is insane. He's a good guy but a thing took place to him. He improved. He went for windmills all over the spot, and he went a tiny bit wokier than I feel he is, and I assume eventually that is the thing that obtained him out."

Labour leader congratulates Truss with swipe at Conservatives

Misty Severi

September 05, 10:28 AM September 05, 10:28 AM

When British Labour Leader Keir Starmer congratulated Liz Truss on her electoral earn to come to be the next British prime minister Monday, he took a swipe at the Conservative Celebration.

"I might like to congratulate our next Prime Minister Liz Truss as she prepares for workplace," the Labour chief tweeted. "But soon after 12 years of the Tories all we have to display for it is small wages, high costs, and a Tory value of dwelling disaster. Only Labour can produce the clean start our region needs."

LIZ TRUSS TO Swap BORIS JOHNSON AS BRITISH Prime MINISTER

In a movie on social media, posted hours ahead of Truss was introduced as the up coming primary minister, Starmer claimed that "very little is performing any more," and he argued that neither applicant in the race seemed to know how to resolve the troubles facing the British individuals.

“There’s a standard sense that absolutely nothing is definitely doing the job any more. And neither of the candidates to be prime minister experienced any answer to those people issues," Starmer stated. “They argued that the British people today are not functioning tricky more than enough. How insulting is that? Their arguments all summer season have been alien, so out of contact with what so quite a few persons have been likely by way of. In the Labour Occasion, we know whose aspect we’re on. And if I were likely into Downing Street this week, I’d have obvious commonsense priorities.”

Truss defeated former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak in the key minister election on Monday and will choose more than for Primary Minister Boris Johnson, who introduced his resignation as party leader in July.

"I have been proud to provide as chief of the Conservative Bash for the previous 3 decades, successful the most important the greater part for many years, obtaining Brexit completed, overseeing the swiftest vaccine rollout in Europe and providing important assistance to Ukraine," Johnson tweeted on Monday. "Congratulations to [Truss] on her decisive acquire. I know she has the appropriate strategy to tackle the charge of dwelling crisis, unite our celebration and go on the fantastic perform of uniting and leveling up our country. Now is the time for all Conservatives to get driving her 100 for each cent."

The formal trade of electrical power will arise Tuesday, when Johnson and Truss meet up with Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Johnson will resign to the queen initially, who will then question Truss to kind a new federal government.

Liz Truss to switch Boris Johnson as British prime minister

Misty Severi

September 05, 08:02 AM September 05, 08:29 AM

Liz Truss wsick come to be the new British primary minister right after she defeated previous Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak in a management contest for the Conservative Party.

Her earn will convey an conclusion to Boris Johnson's scandal-plagued premiership.

WHO IS LIZ TRUSS? BRITISH Prime MINISTER HOPEFUL VOWING TO Build Publish-BREXIT Financial system.

Truss, who emerged as the front-runner in the race after narrowly securing the second slot nominated by the Conservative customers of Parliament in July, will stage into the new position Tuesday. She secured the new placement with 57% of the vote, as opposed to Sunak's 43%.

In her victory speech, Truss thanked Sunak and honored Johnson's achievements as primary minister, which includes his achievements during the pandemic and support in combating Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

“Boris: You got Brexit finished, you crushed Jeremy Corbyn, you rolled out the vaccine, and you stood up to Vladimir Putin. You are admired from Kyiv to Carlisle," Truss claimed. "I know that our beliefs resonate with the British men and women. I campaigned as a Conservative, and I will govern as a Conservative."

The new chief has ties with the United States that day again to the 1990s, when she oversaw a ship refurbishment task in Norfolk, Virginia, all through her time as an economist at Shell. Much more not too long ago, Truss served as Johnson's international secretary, the equal of the U.S.'s secretary of point out. Via her function, she has deepened relations with Antony Blinken, whom she labored with intently in the latest months to introduce sanctions in opposition to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

“I want us all to function collectively to resolve our dissimilarities and to be focused on the threats that we facial area,” Truss mentioned in a speech at the Atlantic Council. “Our top goal, working with all our allies, is to make the entire world safe and sound for flexibility and democracy.”

A common floor in between the United Kingdom and the U.S. has been its heavy sanctions towards Russia. The U.K. underneath Johnson's management has been one of Ukraine's best allies. Truss has furthermore been a powerful advocate and ally for the U.S. when it will come to confronting China. Regardless of her perform with Blinken, Truss will be envisioned to improve her ties with President Joe Biden and his administration in get to manage the strong relationship with the U.S., in accordance to Politico.

Truss was elected as the Conservative member of Parliament for southwestern Norfolk in 2010. In 2019, she was elected as minister for gals and equalities, and in 2021, she was picked as international secretary. Through her election marketing campaign, Truss billed economic system, stability, and the environment as "major difficulties" that she would tackle.

Johnson and the new key minister are now predicted to fly to Scotland Tuesday for the exchange of energy. In an unprecedented break from custom, the queen is anticipated to settle for Johnson's resignation from her palace in Balmoral, exactly where she will then talk to Truss to form a new governing administration. Johnson resigned as the Conservative Get together chief previous thirty day period immediately after a tumultuous career as the primary minister, which involved breaking COVID-19 protocols throughout lockdown and concluded in a mass exodus of his personnel.