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It was announced today that the UK has a new Prime Minister – again. This one didn’t even have to be elected by MPs or members of his own party. He was the only candidate to achieve the required 100+ backers and so he will be duly ‘crowned’. Rishi Sunak is Britain’s first Asian Prime Minister, and the youngest since 1812.
Response from Conservative colleagues
Unsurprisingly, many, in particular, his supporters are delighted. However, some may be just a little less so.
Jacob-Rees Mogg, having supported both Liz Truss and then Boris Johnson only moments ago, tweeted:
Simon Clarke, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, and an enthusiastic Boris Johnson supporter, who claims that “Teesside loves Boris” tweeted:
Labour’s reaction
Keir Starmer has again called for a General Election.
Angela Raynor tweeted:
Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central added:
Alex Cunningham MP said today:
“As a MP neighbouring Teesside, perhaps our area will benefit from this appointment and that Rishi Sunak will remember his commitment from the first leadership contest and “double down” on levelling up.
“Sadly his record doesn’t fill me with much hope. As a Chancellor he failed to grow the economy, get a grip on inflation, and presided over a startling increase in child poverty in Teesside and the North East – and he even went as far as opposing measures like rolling out free school meals over holidays which would have made some attempts to tackle this. Not only has he championed policies which have failed to address – and actively contributed to – widening inequalities, he has played a key role as a government minister in introducing many of them.
“Rishi Sunak has been crowned Prime Minister without uttering a word to the British public about how he will run the country or tackle the serious issues facing communities like mine in Stockton North, and without anyone beyond the small electorate of Tory MPs having the chance to vote. The Tories are treating the British public with contempt.
“Rishi Sunak has no mandate and no vision. He offers more of the same failed Tory dogma that has caused so much pain across our communities. We need a general election so the public get a say on the future of Britain – and the chance for a fresh start with Labour.”
Meanwhile a petition for a General Election now is climbing – with over 870,000 signatures so far.
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