Three days after helping to spark the wave of resignations that forced the resignation of the prime minister, the former finance minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, has declared his candidacy to succeed Boris Johnson.
The latest in a string of scandals that have gravely damaged public trust led to a widespread uprising in Johnson’s Conservative Party, which led to his resignation as prime minister on Thursday.
In addition to the already challenging combination of skyrocketing prices, slowing economy, and industrial unrest, Johnson’s impending resignation has also increased political instability. The Ukraine war and the UK’s ongoing struggle to adjust to life after Brexit serve as further obstacles.
“Someone needs to seize this opportunity and act wisely. That’s why I’m running to be your prime minister and the next leader of the Conservative Party, Sunak stated in a video shared on Twitter.
Do we tell ourselves soothing fairy tales that might make us feel better in the present but will leave our children worse off later, or do we address this situation with honesty, seriousness, and commitment, he asked.
I’m standing to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister.
Let’s restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country. #Ready4Rishi
Sign up 👉 https://t.co/KKucZTV7N1 pic.twitter.com/LldqjLRSgF
— Ready For Rishi (@RishiSunak) July 8, 2022
Johnson decided to resign after a series of events that started when Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid left the cabinet on Tuesday, minutes apart.
According to detractors, Sunak’s budget from the previous year undercut his claim that he was in favour of lower taxes by putting the UK on track for its highest tax burden since the 1950s.
Sunak handled around 400 billion pounds ($481 billion) in economic assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing a significant increase in unemployment but allowing state borrowing to reach a record high for peacetime in the face of a historically low GDP.
After raising income taxes in April to pay for increasing health and social care spending and announcing plans to dramatically increase company tax in 2023, Sunak’s standing with Conservative lawmakers later suffered.
Attorney General Suella Braverman and Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat have both made official announcements of their candidacies.