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Rishi Sunak Makes History As First Asian UK Prime Minister

Fridah Wangechi | 1 year ago
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. PHOTO: BBC
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. PHOTO: BBC

Rishi Sunak has become the UK's first British Asian prime minister after his only remaining rival pulled out of the premier contest to succeed Liz Truss who resigned after 45 days in office.

Sunak achieved a landslide win after almost 200 Conservative Members of Parliament backed his rise to the position, trouncing Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt failed to garner enough support.

Mordaunt withdrew from the contest minutes before the result was announced, lauding the house for their contribution to diversify leadership in the country.

"This decision is an historic one and shows, once again, the diversity and talent of our party. Rishi has my full support."she stated on her Twitter account.

This hence makes Sunak the youngest MP to assume office at the age of 42.

The new prime minister is expected to take office in the next few days after being appointed by King Charles III.

His predecessor, Liz Truss, was brought down after just six weeks in office owing to an economic programme that failed tax-cutting budget that rocked financial markets , forcing her to step down after just 45 days in office after a revolt within her own party.

Sunak will be the fourth consecutive prime minister - after Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Ms Truss - to rise to power without a general election.

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