Rishi Sunak: Things you need to know about the first Indian-origin UK PM

Rishi Sunak, a former British chancellor, will take office as the prime minister of the United Kingdom. Here is everything you need to know about the third PM Britain has seen in a span of seven weeks: 

He succeeded after competing a second time this year

In September, he lost to Liz Truss; nevertheless, six weeks later, she resigned. Sunak quickly and early gained the backing of his fellow MPs in the most recent leadership race. Long before the deadline, he received the 100 nominations he needed, including those from MPs who had previously supported Truss or Boris Johnson.

Also read: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates new UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

He “predicted” financial troubles under Truss

During the previous leadership contest, he battled with the former PM, calling her plan to borrow money during an inflation crisis a “fairytale” that would destabilise the economy.

He is an immigrant’s son

His parents, who are both of Indian descent, immigrated to the UK from east Africa. In Southampton, where his mother was a pharmacist, and his father a general practitioner. Sunak was born in 1980. He will soon become the country’s first Asian prime minister.

He has only served as a member of parliament for seven years

Sunak was initially elected as an MP in 2015, representing Richmond in North Yorkshire. He advanced fast, becoming finance minister — or chancellor — under Boris Johnson in February 2020.

Also read: Rishi Sunak next UK PM: 3 other Indian-origin world leaders

He oversaw the Covid support funds

The financial assistance during lockdowns, including furlough payouts and the restaurant “Eat Out to Help Out” programme, was the brainchild of Sunak, Johnson’s chancellor.

Considered to be one of the wealthiest MPs

Akshata Murthy, the wealthy businessman Narayana Murthy’s daughter, is his wife. Sunak has had positions at two hedge funds as well as the investment bank Goldman Sachs. The couple’s fortune is valued at approximately £730 million, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

He was in hot water because of his wife’s tax deals

Over the summer, it came to light that Akshata Murthy did not legally pay any UK taxes on significant foreign revenues. Despite Sunak’s defence that it was “awful” to pursue his wife because of his political position, she eventually decided to begin paying more taxes. We also learned that, while serving as the chancellor of the UK, Sunak held a temporary green card from the US that allowed him to reside there permanently.

Also read: Rishi Sunak new UK PM: A tale of many firsts

He ran an anti-regulation and pro-Brexit campaign

One of his longtime favourite concepts is the concept of “free ports,” which are locations close to ports or airports where items can be imported and exported without paying taxes in order to promote trade.

He was keen to become a Jedi

He admitted to a gathering of schoolchildren in 2016 that his primary life goal was to become a Jedi Knight. The Empire Strikes Back is his favourite Star Wars movie.