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Britain’s next Prime Minister has been confirmed as Rishi Sunak. He will be take up the role by tomorrow – without winning even one vote or uttering a single word in public.
Voters, and even some Tory MPs, are demanding a general election now after his rival Penny Mordaunt crashed out of the Tory leadership race – and Boris Johnson withdrew last night.
Ms Mordaunt claimed she was close to the 100 backers she needed – but pulled out one minute before the close of nominations at 2pm today after a surge in support for her “unity” rival.
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Saying Mr Sunak had her “full support” she added: “It is clear that colleagues feel we need certainty today. They have taken this decision in good faith for the good of the country.”
With no other Tories nominated, Mr Sunak will be “crowned” Prime Minister by King Charles, likely in time for PMQs on Wednesday, Mirror UK reports.
He will carry out a Cabinet reshuffle which could jettison Johnson loyalists like Jacob Rees-Mogg, and publish a financial statement on Monday which could usher in a new era of austerity.
Mr Sunak, 42, is the first British Asian PM and the youngest PM in modern history. Previous record-holder David Cameron was 43 in 2010. Tory MPs roared and banged desks in Parliament’s oak-panelled Committee Room 14 as Mr Sunak was named leader.
1922 Committee chairman Graham Brady said “I can confirm we have received one…” before he was drowned out by exuberant MPs.
But it is the first time in post-war history that the UK party of government has changed its leader twice in a row without a general election.
And Mr Sunak has not done any television or radio interviews – or even filmed any campaign videos. He was silent after being beaten to the job by Liz Truss and before yesterday, he had not even sent a tweet since September 8, and that one was about the Queen.
Key questions he has failed to answer include whether he will slash spending on benefits, or take an axe to public services such as schools and hospitals to fill the massive black hole in the nation’s finances left by Liz Truss.
The multimillionaire – who with his wife is among the 300 richest people in Britain – has also been branded out-of-touch for using a £180 (€206) coffee mug and not knowing how to use a contactless card.
He will ask his Chancellor to announce a fiscal plan on Monday as questions dangle over the NHS winter crisis, energy bills support, defence spending, his Brexit approach and foreign aid.
Mr Sunak has not named who he would make Chancellor but he has won the backing of sitting Jeremy Hunt – who drew up tens of billions in cuts when he replaced sacked Kwasi Kwarteng.
In the summer leadership contest Mr Sunak had promised a 1p Income Tax cut in 2024, 91,000 civil service job cuts, more electric car charge points and to review all EU laws in 100 days.
But little is known about his plans this time round as the public finances have changed dramatically in the 44 days Liz Truss was Britain’s shortest-serving PM.
There are also questions over whether he would raise National Insurance – something he did in April, but which Liz Truss reversed a few weeks ago.
Source:Irish Mirror