Rishi Sunak enters race to replace Liz Truss as UK PM
Former British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak on Sunday announced that he will seek to replace the departing Liz Truss as prime minister.
'The United Kingdom is a great country but we face a profound economic crisis. That's why I am standing to be Leader of the Conservative Party and your next Premier_' Sunak wrote on Twitter.
'I want to fix our economy_ unite our Party and deliver for our country_' Rishi added.
On his tenure as chancellor of the exchequer_ he said he helped 'to steer our economy through the toughest of times' and added: 'The challenges we face now are even greater. But the opportunities- if we make the right choice- are phenomenal.'
Vowing that there will be 'integrity_ professionalism and accountability at every level of the government' under his leadership_ Rishi Sunak said: 'I am asking you for the opportunity to help fix our problems. To lead our party and country forward towards the next General Election_ confident in our record_ firm in our convictions and ready to lead again.'
On Thursday_ announcing her resignation_ Truss became the shortest-serving Prime Minister in British history_ with just 44 days in office.
Her resignation came after her government's economic plans crashed the economy_ sparked chaos in financial markets_ and decimated discipline and unity within the ruling Conservative Party.
Facing off against Truss in a debate this August before she became Prime Minister_ Sunak argued against her plans to cut taxes for the rich.
'Scrapping the health and social care levy_ as she wants to do_ is worth £1_700 ($1_922) to her on her salary. For someone working really hard on the national living wage_ it's worth just over a quid a week. And for someone who's a pensioner_ without any earnings_ it's worth zero_' he said.
Rishi Sunak said people on fixed incomes such as pensioners and those on low incomes need more direct financial support so as not to 'leave millions of incredibly vulnerable people at the risk of real destitution.'
'If we don t provide direct support to millions of vulnerable pensioners_ it will be a moral failure of this party_ and the country will never ever forgive us_' he argued.
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