Rishi takes charge of UK, looks to focus on economy
Just-appointed as 57th British PM, Indian-origin Rishi Sunak says he has been elected to fix ‘mistakes’ made by his predecessor; The 42-yr-old devout Hindu formally took charge as Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister after an audience with King Charles III on Tuesday
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Youngest British PM in 210 yrs
- Sunak has been chosen as leader of Conservative Party and PM of UK
- He's investment banker-turned politician
- Says as Chancellor he did everything he could to protect people and businesses
London: Newly-appointed British Prime Minster Rishi Sunak said on Tuesday that he has been elected to fix some of the 'mistakes' made by his predecessor as he promised to place 'economic stability and confidence' at the heart of his government's agenda. The 42-year-old devout Hindu formally took charge as Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister after an audience with King Charles III on Tuesday, a day after he was elected the new leader of the Conservative Party in a historic leadership run.
The investment banker-turned politician is the youngest British Prime Minister in 210 years. Speaking outside 10, Downing Street here - the Prime Minister's official residence, Sunak said he would confront the 'profound economic crisis' with compassion and lead a government of 'integrity, professionalism and accountability.'
Sunak said that he has been chosen as leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister to 'fix the mistakes' made by his predecessor Liz Truss. "That work begins immediately," he added. He said that during his time as Chancellor he did everything he could "to protect people and businesses" through schemes such as furlough.
"I will bring the same compassion to the challenges we face today," he said, 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," Sunak said. "I will work day in and day out to deliver for you." "Together we can achieve incredible things," he said.
Rishi Sunak became Britain's third Prime Minister of the year on Tuesday and now must turn his attention to taming an economic crisis that has left the country's finances in a precarious state and millions of Britons struggling to afford food and energy bills.
I will bring the same compasssion to the challenges we face today. I'll 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. I will work day in and day out to deliver for you. That work begins immediately
- Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of UK
