Rishi Sunak’s meteoric rise to UK PM – the inside story
In recent years, Rishi Sunak went from being a junior banker in the City to a budget deliverer and eventually to the Chancellor, which was one of the most remarkable Tory triumphs ever. Nevertheless, his occupation to Number Ten has resulted in amazement among many – because he is still thought by some as more of a political tyro. Besides, he is not seen as ambitious as Boris Johnson or Dominic Raab are known for their great ambitions. So how did it happen?
With Boris not there. Sunak appeared ready for a cabinet job, didn’t he? Who is this wife of Rishi Sunak MP, Akshata? The politician is the offspring of an ex-professor of Oxford economics and a doctor by profession. He was a young man who was already involved in money matters at Goldman Sachs because of his family’s business background – although he was definitely under age! But it was not long before that; after spending ten years with the firm, San Francisco-headquartered One Asia Investment Partners made him their head of European office. With “Akshata” as one of its divisions, he then created his own family enterprise. This is a doctor specializing in childbirth and women’s health from Tamil Nadu whose affluent family owns some high-priced assets in India.
It also shows that Sunak has been quite unusual for a Conservative who is rich and powerful (we may assume). Where both went to school at the same time at Oxford University, where they later married in India before settling down in London; he met Akshata Rao, his partner. His father-in-law, Dr Ananth Krishna Rao is a finance expert from Bangalore. So Usha Rao-Monari became Minister for Women and Equalities who had to leave her Visiting Fellowship at St John’s College which she held until 2012. There are no children or descendants from other marriages; Rishi grew up as an only son with little connection to politics.
He belongs to the British Conservative Party and represents them as their Member of Parliament since 2015 when he entered into it. Prior to that period when he joined politics, he worked as an executive financier with McKinsey & Co.. On Tuesday evening Downing Street announced that interim stewardship will now be taken over by Mr Sunak following PM Theresa May’s decision to step down after months of political chaos during Brexit negotiations between UK and EU members states. It will therefore be his task to lead the Tories in the UK general elections scheduled for later this year.
Who is Sunak? The child of a previous Oxford economics teacher, Rishi Sunak had a head-start in finance at Goldman Sachs – even though he was hardly old enough to drink! But it did not last long; after ten years with the company, Sunak became head of European office for San Francisco-based investment firm One Asia Investment Partners. He then went on to set up his own family business called “Akshata”. This is an obstetrician and gynecologist whose wealthy Tamil Nadu family owns some valuable properties in India.
A different view is that Rishi Sunak has always been compared to his former boss, George Osborne – a fellow well-to-do Conservative politician who grew up to be a prominent Chancellor of the Exchequer. They are both acknowledged for their ‘financial acumen’ and ‘economic smarts’. Equally, the two of them managed not to be caught in any major personal scandals.
Sunak’s journey into politics. He rose to prominence as a young Conservative Party politician when he became Vice Chairman Communities and Local Government in 2015 at the age of 34. He was also a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to chancellor Sajid Javid among other responsibilities including membership on the Treasury Select Committee. When Javid resigned as chancellor last month, Sunak was seen as being in prime position to succeed him – and quickly took over the role in Number 11. Following Boris Johnson’s sweeping election victory in December, his government announced an emergency Budget.
Sunak got into politics after getting elected as Member of Parliament for Richmond upon Thames constituency in 2015 since it was then held by his wife which is strongly conservative. In Parliament over three years, Sunak has been an advocate for various causes including increased investment into public services and housing. Nonetheless, Sunak owes most part of his political rise to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who appointed him Chief Secretary of the Treasury – second only to Chancellor within British government economic portfolios.
The Englishman is known for being a hardliner Brexit supporter and recently collaborated with PM Boris Johnson on how Britain would exit from EU. Last year he was one among three MPs who voted against former PM Theresa May’s contentious Brexit deal and had condemned her “soft” approach towards leaving Europe before that time. For now though, as interim stewardship at Number 10 Downing Street he will be central figure in all key Brexit negotiations with European Union expectedly delivering a “hard” Brexit taking Britain out of Europe’s Customs Union. As Johnson officially takes over from May next week, Sunak is destined to take on a bigger role as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Some industry leaders have backed him despite his reputation as an uncompromising politician, arguing that he will fight for the best deal possible for Brexit. There are also questions on whether he has enough experience in governing and if he will be able to lead the country through its most difficult period since World War II. But Sunak is regarded as someone with great potential who could easily become one of Britain’s longest-serving Prime Ministers.
For example, no one would believe that Rishi Sunak – a young British-Indian politician is a potential future prime minister in Great Britain only several years ago. However, after emerging as an outsider candidate this week to replace Theresa May, it is not out of the question that he could climb up the ladder quickly and emerge within twelve months or so as Britain’s political leader.
Most of the competing Conservative Party leaders view Sunak as a rigid obstructionist, and notable commentators have called him among other things, a man with fire in his belly and more than enough ambition. Nonetheless, he’s also been hailed by many for having backed Brexit and numerous conservative causes, some people are optimistic that he is the right person who will ensure Britain exits from Europe entirely.
Although three years ago Sunak was not a politician by profession unlike most others aiming for power in Parliament, he has grown into a household name within that short period. As an MP, he took up Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s tough stance on exiting EU while championing enhanced public expenditure, affordable housing and more resources for healthcare. While May retires this month after being replaced by Johnson as prime minister later this month, Sunak currently serves as Chancellor but will move to Number 10 Downing Street.
Sunak is described as someone who believes in conservative ideals; however, his pragmatic approach makes it possible for him to negotiate with Labour and Tories alike. After all, it could be his flexibility that finally convinces those against Brexit when he takes up the second most influential economic position in British government. However, it will also test his commitment to conservatism whilst uniting the United Kingdom during its most turbulent moment since the Second World War.
In spite of everything however there are those who see potential in Sunak going beyond Johnson’s tenure or becoming one of the longest serving Prime Ministers in UK history. His thirst for power cannot be quenched and yet he remains surrounded by political associates who leave no doubt about their unwavering support for him; consequently there is nothing which can be said will prevent this ambitious young man from reaching any heights whatsoever. Even his critics are forced to admit they were wrong at last because Sunak is poised to remain on stage of British politics until kingdom come!
