LONDON: Rishi Sunak became Britain's third prime minister in two months on Tuesday and pledged to lead the country out of a profound economic crisis and rebuild trust in politics.
Sunak quickly reappointed Jeremy Hunt as his finance minister in a move designed to calm markets that had balked at his predecessor's debt-fuelled economic plans.
The former hedge fund boss said he would unite the country and was expected to name a cabinet drawn from all wings of the party to end infighting and abrupt policy changes that have horrified investors and alarmed international allies.
Speaking outside his official Downing Street residence, Sunak praised the ambition of his predecessor Liz Truss to reignite economic growth but acknowledged mistakes had been made.
"I have been elected as leader of my party and your prime minister, in part to fix them," said Sunak, who broke with the tradition of standing beside his family and cheering political supporters.
"I understand, too, that I have work to do to restore trust, after all that has happened. All I can say is that I am not daunted. I know the high office I have accepted and I hope to live up to its demands."
Sunak said difficult decisions lay ahead as he looks to cut public spending. Hunt, who Truss appointed to calm markets roiled by her dash for growth, has been preparing a new budget alongside borrowing and growth forecasts due out on Monday, and repeated his warning on Tuesday that "it is going to be tough".
The new prime minister also restored Dominic Raab to the post of deputy prime minister, a role he lost in Truss's 44 days in office, but reappointed James Cleverly as foreign minister and Ben Wallace at defence.
Penny Mordaunt, who ended her bid to win a leadership contest against Sunak on Monday, also retained her position as leader of the House of Commons, a role that organises the government's business in the lower house of parliament.
Sources had said she wanted to become foreign minister.
With his new appointments, Sunak was seen to be drawing ministers from across the Conservative Party while leaving others in post - a move that should ease concerns that Sunak might appoint loyalists rather than try to unify the party.
TOUGH DECISIONS
Sunak, one of the richest men in parliament, is expected to slash spending to plug an estimated 40 billion pound ($45 billion) hole in the public finances created by an economic slowdown, higher borrowing costs and an energy support scheme.
He will now need to review all spending, including on politically sensitive areas such as health, education, defence, welfare and pensions. But with his party's popularity in freefall, he will face growing calls for an election if he ditches too many of the promises that the Conservatives win election in 2019.
Economists and investors have welcomed Sunak's appointment - Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said the adults had taken charge again - but they warn he has few options to fix the country's finances when millions are battling a cost of living crunch.
Sunak, who ran the Treasury during the COVID-19 pandemic, promised to put economic stability and confidence at the heart of the agenda. "This will mean difficult decisions to come," he said, shortly after he accepted King Charles's request to form a government.
Sunak also vowed to put the public's need above politics, in recognition of the growing anger at Britain's political class and the ideological battles that have raged ever since the historic 2016 vote to leave the European Union.
Workers heading towards London's financial district said Sunak, at 42 Britain's youngest prime minister for more than 200 years and its first leader of colour, appeared to be the best of a bad bunch.
"I think he was competent, and that's really what we should hope for at the moment," said management consultant, James Eastbook, 43.
With two prime ministers appointed in two months without a popular vote, some called for a general election now but others hoped Sunak would stay until the next scheduled election, due by January 2025.
POLITICAL MACHINATIONS
Sunak, a Goldman Sachs analyst who only entered parliament in 2015, faces a challenge ending the factional infighting that has brought his party low. Many Conservatives remain angry with him for quitting as finance minister in July and triggering a wider rebellion that ended Boris Johnson's premiership.
Others question how a multi millionaire can lead the country when millions of people are struggling with surging food and energy bills.
"I think this decision sinks us as a party for the next election," one Conservative lawmaker told Reuters.
Historian and political biographer Anthony Seldon said Sunak would also be constrained by the mistakes of his immediate predecessor.
"There is no leeway on him being anything other than extraordinarily conservative and cautious," he told Reuters.
Many politicians and officials abroad, having watched as a country once seen as a pillar of economic and political stability descended into brutal infighting, welcomed Sunak's appointment.
Sunak, a Hindu, also becomes Britain's first prime minister of Indian origin.
U.S. President Joe Biden described it as a "groundbreaking milestone", while leaders from India and elsewhere welcomed the news. Sunak's billionaire father-in-law, N.R. Narayana Murthy, said he would serve the United Kingdom well.
"We are proud of him and we wish him success," the founder of software giant Infosys said in a statement.
Reuters
Wed Oct 26 2022
King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace, London, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become PM and form a new government, October 25, 2022. - Aaron Chown/PA Wire Aaron Chown/via REUTERS
Menyamar pegawai NSRC: ABM dan AIBIM gesa orang ramai hati-hati
Persatuan Bank-Bank dalam Malaysia (ABM) dan Persatuan Institusi Perbankan dan Kewangan Islam Malaysia (AIBIM) menggesa orang ramai supaya lebih berhati-hati.
Malaysia yakin capai 50 peratus tahap sara diri sektor daging 2030 - Mohamad Sabu
Negara yakin capai sasaran 50 peratus tahap sara diri (SSL) bagi sektor daging lembu menjelang 2030, kata Menteri Pertanian dan Keterjaminan Makanan Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
UUM diiktiraf universiti awam nombor satu di Malaysia
Pengiktirafan yang diumumkan itu membolehkan UUM berada di tangga ke-71 terbaik dunia berbanding tangga ke-95 pada tahun lalu.
Bekas Pegawai tinggi Pertubuhan Peladang didakwa rasuah
Seorang pegawai hal ehwal ekonomi Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Sesyen Ayer Keroh kerana didawka menerima suiapan dan membuat tuntutan palsu RM64,550 sejak empat tahun lalu.
Bakal jemaah terkandas, kerajaan, TH cari jalan penyelesaian terbaik
Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Hal Ehwal Agama) dan Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) masih dalam proses mencari jalan terbaik bagi membantu menyelesaikan isu melibatkan sekumpulan bakal jemaah Malaysia terkandas.
'Geng Bala' perdagang manusia untuk seks tumpas
Sindiket pemerdagangan manusia untuk eksploitasi seks tumpas dengan penahanan lapan individu termasuk ketua sindiket dalam enam serbuan berasingan di sekitar kawasan Johor Bahru dan Kulai.
Pengguna ChatGPT percuma boleh guna GPTs, GPT Store
Pengguna percuma juga boleh memuat naik dokumen dan meminta ChatGPT untuk merumuskannya.
Anwar terus guna platform dunia selar sikap prejudis kuasa besar
Anwar berkata sikap prejudis kuasa besar dunia jelas kelihatan, kerana cenderung menyokong sesuatu yang dilihat selari dengan agenda mereka.
Ahli perniagaan bergelar 'Datuk' mengaku tidak bersalah guna dokumen palsu
Seorang ahli peniagaan bergelar 'Datuk' mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah Majistret atas pertuduhan menggunakan dokumen yang dipalsukan pada Jun tahun lepas.
AWANI Ringkas: Pergaduhan Piala Belia, FAM ambil tindakan
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Keadaan di Gaza semakin tidak boleh diterima, kata PM Britain kepada Netanyahu
UK tuntut Israel segera lakukan siasatan bebas dan menyeluruh susulan kematian tujuh pekerja bantuan di Gaza.
Rishi Sunak bertemu Raja Charles III selepas pengumuman kanser
Rishi Sunak, melawat Raja Charles III di Istana Buckingham buat kali pertama sejak baginda disahkan menghidap kanser baru-baru ini.
UK bakal kenakan sekatan baharu ke atas Houthi
Perdana Menteri Rishi Sunak berkata, ia merancang untuk membuat pengumuman sekatan itu dalam masa beberapa hari lagi.
Britain dakwa serangan ke atas Houthi tiada kaitan konflik di Gaza - PM Rishi Sunak
Serangan itu adalah tindakan mempertahankan diri dan disasarkan dengan berhati-hati, kata Rishi Sunak.
UK meterai perjanjian keselamatan baharu dengan Ukraine
Perjanjian ini diumumkan selepas pertemuan dengan Presiden Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy di Kiev.
Braverman sifatkan Sunak sebagai gagal, lemah
Beliau menuduh Sunak mengingkari janji untuk melakukan "apa sahaja yang diperlukan" bagi menghentikan bot dan penghijrahan haram.
PM UK ke Israel untuk bertemu Netanyahu dan Herzog
Rishi Sunak juga akan mendesak pembukaan laluan bagi membolehkan bantuan kemanusiaan masuk ke Gaza secepat mungkin.
PM UK Rishi Sunak umum pelan pembaharuan sistem pendidikan Britain
Kerajaan Britain bakal memperkenalkan "Advanced British Standard" yang menggabungkan A-level dan T-level.
Setiausaha Pertahanan UK Ben Wallace letak jawatan
Setiausaha Pertahanan Ben Wallace menghantar surat peletakan jawatan kepada Perdana Menteri Rishi Sunak selepas empat tahun memegang jawatan itu.
Britain: Rishi Sunak umum hukum penjara seumur hidup bagi pembunuh kejam
Pesalah berbahaya yang melakukan pembunuhan paling kejam akan berdepan dengan hukuman penjara seumur hidup tanpa peluang dibebaskan.