Prime minister of england

Rishi Sunak is about to become the UK’s first prime minister of colour and the first Hindu prime minister, both milestones in Britain’s evolution as a multicultural and multi-faith society. Although there has been a marked increase in politicians of colour being appointed to senior cabinet roles, including the key posts of chancellor, home secretary and foreign secretary, the UK has never had a black or brown prime minister before. It was “an historic moment” that “simply would not have been possible even a decade or two ago,” said Sunder Katwala of the British Future thinktank, which focuses on identity and race. “It shows that public service in the highest office in Britain can be open to those of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. This will be a source of pride to many British Asians – including many who do not share Rishi Sunak’s Conservative politics.” Sunak is a practising Hindu, although he has rarely talked publicly about his faith. He was Two years ago, when Sunak was chancellor, he lit candles to mark Diwali on the doorstep of No 11 Downing Street at a time when Covid restrictions remained in force. 01:39 Rishi Sunak greeted with applause at Conservative HQ – video “It was one of my proudest moments that I was able to do that on the steps of Downing Street. It was one of my proudest moments of the job that I had for the last two years,” His faith “gives me strength, it gives me purpose. It’s part of who I am,” he said. After the 2017 general election, he swore hi...

The previous holder of this record, George Canning, lasted 119 days in the early 19th century; Truss announced her resignation after 44 days. A leadership contest is now underway to decide the next head of the ruling Conservative Party, who will by default become the next prime minister, and will conclude in the next week. The opposition Labour Party called for an immediate national election. "I recognize that given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party," she said Thursday in a brief, unrepentant speech outside No. 10 Downing St. "I have therefore spoken to his majesty the king to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party." She ended the statement by saying: "I will remain as prime minister until a successor is chosen." Attention is already turning to what happens next. There are even calls for her predecessor, Boris Johnson, to stage a dramatic return, just months after resigning under pressure from his own party and the public in the wake of a wave of scandals. Rishi Sunak, Johnson's former finance minister who pointed out the folly of Truss' economic plans, is one favorite to replace her. He came second to Truss in the race to succeed Johnson. There is also support in the party for Penny Mordaunt, an experienced figure who earlier this week stood in for Truss in Parliament and assured lawmakers the prime minister was not hiding under a desk. But with no clear successor waiting in the wings, ...

Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers her resignation speech as her husband, Hugh O'Leary, stands nearby at Downing Street in London on Thursday. Truss has been prime minister for just 44 days. Rob Pinney/Getty Images LONDON — The United Kingdom used to be synonymous with stable, dependable, if sometimes dull, governance. But the Truss is the fourth prime minister to resign since the Brexit vote of 2016. That's the fastest turnover in a century. No. 10 Downing Street has effectively become a revolving door. What's the matter with Britain? Analysts here say it is a story of polarization, populism, a flawed political system and poor leadership that has at times put party and personal ambition above the good of the country. A miscalculation of historic proportions It begins with former Prime Minister David Cameron who Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne deliver a speech on the potential economic impact to the U.K. of leaving the EU, at a B&Q Store Support Office, on May 23, 2016, in Chandler's Ford, England. Daniel Leal-Olivas/WPA Pool/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Daniel Leal-Olivas/WPA Pool/Getty Images Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne deliver a speech on the potential economic impact to the U.K. of leaving the EU, at a B&Q Store Support Office, on May 23, 2016, in Chandler's Ford, England. Daniel Leal-Olivas/WPA Pool/Getty Images It was a miscalculation of historic proportions. The Br...