Unite or die: Rishi Sunak to fellow Tories amid economic challenges

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 Oct 2022 08:16

Privately schooled, hugely wealthy, and privileged Tory banker Rishi Sunak tells his counterparts in his party to "unite or die" amid the challenge of inflation and the energy crisis lying ahead.

Rishi Sunak tells Tories to ‘unite or die’ as he prepares to become PM

Rishi Sunak warned his Tory counterparts it was time to "unite or die” as he readies himself to become the first person of color to assume the position of the UK's prime minister.

With his victory partly anticipated by his allies, Sunak told Tory MPs he would "put an end to the Conservative psychodrama" and "prioritize policies not personalities."

Following weeks of havoc within the Tory leadership and the British press, particularly in light of Boris Johnson's irresponsible handling of sexual misconduct cases and Liz Truss' desolate mini-budget, Sunak won the contest to replace Liz Truss yesterday, with a cabinet reshuffle scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

He is now set on becoming the third Conservative Prime Minister in less than two months and the fifth in six years.

He is also the first to be of the Hindu faith and the youngest in more than 200 years.

Sunak is aware that the challenges that lie ahead are not easy ones: decision-making on taxation and public expenditures are more than likely to cause the party to collapse.

He did however reaffirm yesterday his commitments to a net zero policy on the climate, support to Ukraine, and a policy of "leveling up" - meaning investing more in infrastructure.

His first speech was held in private with Tory members, though he still hasn't made any pledges with regard to the defense budget or other spending commitments.

He was criticized by Labor peers over his "submarine approach" - meaning he did not lay a clear plan ahead of his mandate.

Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, said, "The Tories have crowned Rishi Sunak as prime minister without him saying a single word about how he would run the country and without anyone having the chance to vote."

According to Penny Mordaunt, who secured 90 votes out of the required 100 from conservative MPs, she is expecting to be assigned an important position in office, possibly that of foreign secretary.

Boris Johnson who had flown back from holidays in the Dominican Republic two days ago to attend the contest was blamed by Mordaunt’s supporters for backing Sunak - despite that he himself had secured 102 votes.

As for Jeremy Hunt, he may or may not remain as Chancellor although Sunnak hasn't made any commitments yet.

Sunak is set to become Prime Minister before noon on Tuesday.

He is about to enter a phase in the history of the UK where prospects for real development are steep due to the current free fall state of the British economy.

Just as he got elected, Sunak said the UK would "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."