New UK PM, Sunak promises unity, says he’s not daunted by challenges

New Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has delivered his first address outside 10 Downing Street on Tuesday, vowing to unite the UK with action and not words.

He said he has accepted an invitation from King Charles III to form a new government, while paying tribute to Liz Truss.

“It is only right to explain why I am standing here as your new prime minister. Right now our country is facing a profound economic crisis. The aftermath of Covid still lingers,” he said.

Sunak said Truss was not wrong to want to improve growth in this country, saying “it’s a noble aim,” stating that he admired her restlessness to create change, but that “some mistakes were made”.

“Not born of ill will or bad intentions, quite the opposite. But mistakes nonetheless.”

The new PM said he had been chosen as leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister to fix some of the mistakes made by his predecessor.

“That work begins immediately. I will unite our country not with words but with action. I will work day in and day out to deliver for you,” he said.

According to Sunak, his government would have integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level, saying that trust is earned and he would earn theirs.

The PM said he would always be grateful to Boris Johnson for his “incredible achievements” as prime minister, saying he would treasure Johnson’s warmth and generosity of spirt.

He added that he knew the mandate the Conservative Party earned in 2019 was not the sole property of one person, rather “it is a mandate that belongs to and unites all of us”.

Sunak highlighted the Conservative manifesto, and said he would deliver on its promises, including working for NHS, protecting borders and supporting the armed forces.

He stated that he understood how difficult this moment was after the costs of Covid and the Ukraine war.

“I fully appreciate how hard things are. I’m not daunted,” Sunak said, adding that he knew of the pressure of the high office and hopes he could live up to its demands.

The PM said he is ready to lead the country into the future and put the people’s needs above politics, adding that he would build a government that represents the best of his party.