42 year old British MP Rishi Sunak is set to become Britain’s first Prime Minister of Asian descent and the youngest in more than 200 years.
Sunak is the first Prime Minister of Britain with Indian heritage.
His parents came to the UK from east Africa and are both of Indian origin.
Mr Sunak was born in Southampton in 1980, where his father was a GP and his mother ran a pharmacy.
His appointment as party leader marks a swift and impressive rise for Mr Sunak who has only been in electoral politics for seven years, having first been elected as an MP in 2015.
Prior to his life in politics, he worked for investment bank Goldman Sachs and at two hedge funds.
He was made Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) in February 2020 under Boris Johnson.
Mr Sunak, an economist, is thought to be one of the richest politicians in the UK having married Akshata Murthy, the daughter of Indian billionaire Narayana Murthy.
The Sunday Times Rich List estimates the couple’s fortune to be worth about US $825 million.
Many have speculated that his wealth will lead to a further disconnect between the party and the public.
The Conservatives won the 2019 General election by a landslide victory.
However, since that victory, the party’s public favour has been undermined by chaos and scandal.
The Government, led at the time by Boris Johnson, was accused of being disconnected from the public as a result of the COVID rules and support measures put in place.
The scandals ranged from lockdown parties (which saw Mr Sunak fined for his participation) to Government campaigns which helped businesses to stay afloat but was linked to a spike in infections.
Sunak now becomes the party’s 3rd leader and therefore the country’s 3rd Prime Minister in 2 months.
Some argue that he is just another rich politician, however, supporters say he has solid financial policies which should see the economy rebound and he has the experience to back it up.
There is also the belief that having experienced life as a child of immigrants, he has a perspective never before seen at Downing Street, regarding decisions and their impact on wider society.
Nonetheless, it is undeniable that Sunak has now made history as the country’s first British Asian leader.
The question remains however, will his appointment be remembered for his achievements or as part of a wider narrative of the period when the Conservative party fell apart?
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