Is the Conservative Party ready for Rishi Sunak? | UK PM race

Rishi Sunak pledged to work "night and day" for the “best country in the world” when the election campaign to take over from Boris Johnson as the Conservative Party leader and the new British Prime Minister entered its final stage last Wednesday.

The former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, is not just running for the Prime Minister but also for history as a win would make him the country’s first India-origin and non-white resident of 10 Downing Street.

42-year-old Sunak became finance minister in early 2020, quickly winning plaudits for spearheading government support to people and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

But he saw opinion turn against him this year, after it emerged that his wife did not pay UK tax.

Grandson of Indian immigrants, Sunak is married to Infosys founder Narayan Murthy’s daughter, Akshata.

Critics have also used his private wealth, expensive clothes and houses to portray him as ‘out of touch’ with the ordinary public.
If one looks at his poll campaign, the former finance minister focused on rising inflation and tax cuts.

Sunak received both flak and favour for his agendas with some lauding his rise as a leader and others accusing him of bringing about Boris Johnson's exit. He was one of the first ministers to resign from the Johnson's cabinet.

As someone who swore on 'Bhagavad Gita' on being elected as the Member of Parliament, Sunak is often seen endorsing his Hindu faith in his campaign speeches.

His visits to the temples, gau puja at a public gathering also made him a talking point. The scrutiny of the former Chancellor has been a mix of critique, commentary and chivalry.

Also watch: Will the Conservative Party vote for Liz Truss as leader? | UK PM race

His campaign agendas focused on the urgency of getting a grip on inflation and countered 47-year-old Truss’ claims that tax cuts are the answer to address the cost-of-living crisis crippling the UK economy.