London: Ever since Boris Johnson started facing the heat for a number of scandals, and calls got louder for his resignation as British Prime Minister, the name of Rishi Sunak has been doing the rounds as his successor.
After Johnson finally announced he would step down from the hot seat, albeit unwillingly, on Thursday, political analysts considered the 42-year-old Sunak to be the frontrunner among four or five possible candidates.
On Friday, Sunak joined the ‘race’ formally to be the next Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Not only is Sunak of Indian origin – he was born to Indian parents Yashvir and Usha Sunak – he is the son-in-law of Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy, and hence the added interest on British MP in this country.
“I’m standing to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister. Let’s restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country,” Sunak tweeted this evening with the hashtag #Ready4Rishi.
He shared a nearly three-minute video along with his post, encapsulating his life — how his parents struggled to establish themselves, got married and how the UK gave ‘millions the chance of a better future’.
I’m standing to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister.
Let’s restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country. #Ready4Rishi
Sign up 👉 https://t.co/KKucZTV7N1 pic.twitter.com/LldqjLRSgF
— Ready For Rishi (@RishiSunak) July 8, 2022
“Someone has to grip this moment and make the right decisions. That’s why I am standing to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister,” he stated.
After becoming an MP in 2015 from Richmond, Yorkshire, Sunak rose through party ranks swiftly.
He made history in 2020 when he was appointed to the most important UK Cabinet post — Chancellor of the Exchequer.
His popularity, however, took a massive hit following the ‘Partygate’ scandal whereby Johnson, his ministers and aides were caught breaching COVID-19 rules and organizing lockdown parties at government offices, including 10 Downing Street.
Sunak was even fined by the London Police.
It was the beginning of the end for Johnson.
Once Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid resigned, Johnson’s fate was virtually sealed.
The duo, once trusted aides of the PM, cited Johnson’s handling of ethics scandals — including the sexual misconduct case involving former MP and deputy chief whip for Conservative Party Chris Pincher — as reasons for them stepping down.
