Rishi Sunak calls for stability and unity as he wins contest to be PM
Rishi Sunak, who will become the next UK prime minister within hours, has issued a plea for unity in the face of a “profound economic challenge”.
He won the Tory leadership contest after rival Penny Mordaunt failed to secure enough backing from MPs.
In his first speech, Sunak said bringing his party and the UK together would be his “utmost priority”.
Sunak, 42, will be the UK’s first British Asian prime minister and the youngest in more than 200 years.
Sunak – a practicing Hindu – is expected to take office later this morning after being formally appointed by the King.
He replaces Liz Truss, following her resignation just 45 days into her tumultuous premiership last week.
After chairing her final cabinet meeting at 09:00 BST, the outgoing prime minister will make a statement outside No 10 before traveling to Buckingham Palace for her final audience with the King.
This will be followed by Sunak’s first audience with the monarch, during which he will be invited to form a government.
He will then travel to Downing Street to make a statement at about 11:35, before entering No 10.
President Joe Biden has said he plans to call Sunak to “offer his congratulations” after his meeting with the King, the White House Press Secretary said.
Sunak takes office as the third Conservative prime minister since the party won the last general election in 2019 – prompting Labour to lead calls for an early general election as a result.
In his speech on Monday – which took place behind closed doors – Sunak told Tory MPs this was going to be a tough period and ruled out an early general election, MP Simon Hoare said.
The former chancellor said the Conservative Party, trailing Labour in the polls by huge margins, was facing an “existential threat”, but could win the next election by uniting.
Three MPs in the room told PA Media news agency Sunak’s message to the party was “unite or die”, as they focus on delivering on the public’s priorities during a cost of living crisis.
Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who backed Liz Truss in the summer leadership contest, said it would be “really dangerous” for the party to continue internal rows.
Agencies