Rishi Sunak to be the next UK Prime Minister

Penny Mordaunt has dropped out of the race

Rishi Sunak's deal was formally signed-off mid-morning on Friday
Author: Chris MaskeryPublished 24th Oct 2022
Last updated 24th Oct 2022

Rishi Sunak is going to be the next Prime Minister of the UK after Penny Mordaunt dropped out of the race.

That decision leaves only one candidate, Rishi Sunak, which means the competition doesn't need to go to a vote

Candidates had until 2pm to achieve the minimum 100 backers needed, in a statement posted online two minutes before the deadline, Ms Mordaunt said her opponent now has her “full support”.

Boris Johnson withdrew from the race on Sunday, he said there was a “very good chance” he could have been back in No 10 by the end of the week if he had stood but admitted he could not unite the Conservative party.

Rishi Sunak

The former chancellor won the support of Conservative MPs to succeed Liz Truss as Tory leader on Monday and will enter Downing Street less than two months after he lost the last race.

Mr Sunak will be the UK’s first Hindu prime minister, the first of Asian heritage, and the youngest for more than 200 years at the age of 42.

The next Prime Minister confirmed

Sir Graham Brady, who as chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservatives was overseeing the contest, said he received only one valid nomination form.

“Rishi Sunak is therefore elected the next leader of the Conservative Party,” he added.

Rishi Sunak - our next Prime Minister

Rishi Sunak and his wife

Rishi Sunak is MP for Richmond in Yorkshire. He was born in Southampton to parents of Indian descent and is married to Akshata Murty (pictured) daughter of Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy, they have two daughters together.

Rishi Sunak as Chancellor

Sunak was elected as an MP in 2015, becoming Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2019. Boris Johnson made him Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2020.

Rishi Sunak during Covid

Sunak became a key member of the government during Covid, often appearing at press conferences and introducing the furlough scheme during the pandemic.

Rishi Sunak in the cabinet

Sunak remained Chancellor until resigning in July 2022, shortly before Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced he was stepping down.

Rishi Sunak leadership bid

After Boris stepped down, Sunak was one of many MPs who put themselves forward to become the new leader of the tory party. Despite getting to the final two candidates, party members voted for Liz Truss who became Prime Minister.

Rishi Sunak King Charles

When Liz Truss resigned after only 45 days as PM Rishi Sunak stood again. After Boris Johnson ruled himself out of the leadership contest race, and Penny Mordaunt withdrew her candidacy, Sunak was announced as the new Conservative leader on 24 October and was appointed by King Charles III the next day.

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