As a result of the ongoing political crisis in the UK, PM Boris Johnson finally resigned as the leader of the Conservative party on Thursday, July 8, 2022, due to heavy pressure from his own party’s lawmakers as dozens of ministers quit his government.
With this step, he paved the way for the selection of a new Prime minister. However, Mr. Johnson, 58, would remain prime minister until a successor is elected. The leadership election will take place over the summer and the person who will emerge as winner will release Mr. Johnson by this October.
Meanwhile, one name has been making headlines since the political crisis started in the country and that is Rishi Sunak, who is the top contender for the post of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Who is Rishi Sunak?
Rishi Sunak is the Indian-origin British Politician and is a popular name is UK’s politics. He was chosen by Mr. Johnson was the Chancellor of the Exchequer and served on the post from 2020 till his resignation in 2022 due to the ongoing political crisis.
Mr. Sunak was born on May 12, 1980 in Southampton, Southern England to Indian parents- Yashvir and Usha Suank, who had immigrated from East Africa. Sunak’s roots are in Punjab state of India, where his grandparents were born, who later emigrated to East Africa with their children during the 1960s.
Mr. Sunak attended Stroud School in Romsey, Hampshire and Winchester College, which was an boys’ independent boarding school. He read philosophy, politics and economics at LincoLn College, Oxford in 2001 and gained an MBA from Stanford University in 2006.
He is married to Akshara Murthy, who is the daughter of Indian billionaire and founder of Infosys- N.R. Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy, who is an educator, author, philanthropist as well as the chairperson of Infosys Foundation.
A strong Contender for the PM of UK
Mr. Sunak, a Member of the Conservative Party, has been a MP for Richmond (York) since 2015. The 42-year old Indian-origin British politician resigned from his post of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, as he expressed the loss of confidence in Mr Johnson’s leadership amidst the spate of scandals.
He was one of the prominent leaders of Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party and is believed to be the top contender for the post of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. If it happens, he will be the first Indian origin man to be the Prime Minister of the UK.
The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously.
I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.
My letter to the Prime Minister below. pic.twitter.com/vZ1APB1ik1
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) July 5, 2022
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