The former Chancellor of Exchequer, Rishi Sunak has become the UK’s first Hindu Prime Minister of colour today.
He’s also the youngest PM since 1812. He was named as the next leader of the ruling Conservative Party during Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.
Sunak was announced leader of the Conservative Party at 2pm BST yesterday on 24 October 2022 when Graham Brady announced the results of the selection process. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2020 to 2022 and Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 2019 to 2020. He has been a Member of Parliament for Richmond (Yorks) and a member of the Conservative Party since 2015.
Although there has been a marked increase in politicians of colour being appointed to senior cabinet roles, including the key posts of chancellor, home secretary and foreign secretary, the UK has never had a black or brown prime minister before.
BACKGROUND & FAMILY BACKGROUND
Sunak’s parents are of Indian descent. His father, Yashvir, was born in Kenya and his mother, Usha, in Tanzania. They migrated to the UK in the 1960s. Sunak studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford’s Lincoln College, and later gained an MBA from California’s Stanford University.
Many experts believe that Sunak’s appointment shows how far ethnic minority representation has come in politics in the UK. Despite the majority of ethnic minorities favouring the Labour party, ethnic minority representation in the Conservative party has increased significantly since David Cameron modernised the party, encouraging ethnic minority candidates to join
Rishi Sunak will meet King Charles and address the nation from Downing Street as he becomes prime minister tomorrow morning. He promised to bring “stability and unity” to the United Kingdom after being crowned as the new Conservative party leader: “The United Kingdom is a great country. But there is no doubt we face a profound economic challenge. We now need stability, and unity, and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together.”
INDIAN CONNECTIONS
He is married to Akshata Murty, the daughter of N R Narayana Murthy, the Indian billionaire businessman who founded Infosys. Sunak and Murty are the 222nd richest people in Britain, with a combined fortune of £730m as of 2022.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reported to have sent his “warmest congratulations” to Rishi Sunak following the news of his victory in the Tory leadership contest.
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