Rishi Sunak (born 12 May 1980) is a British politician serving as the Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since 25 October 2022. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Richmond (Yorks) since 2015. Sunak previously held the positions of Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2020 to 2022 and Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 2019 to 2020.
Early Life and Education
Sunak was born in Southampton, Hampshire, to Indian parents who had emigrated from East Africa. His father, Yashvir Sunak, was a general practitioner, and his mother, Usha Sunak, was a pharmacist who ran a local pharmacy. Sunak attended Winchester College, a prestigious independent school, and later studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Oxford University. He earned an MBA from Stanford University as a Fulbright Scholar.
Business Career
Before entering politics, Sunak worked for investment bank Goldman Sachs and later joined hedge fund management firm The Children's Investment Fund Management, where he became a partner. He then moved to another hedge fund firm, Theleme Partners, which he co-founded in 2010. Sunak also worked for his family's business, making significant contributions to its expansion.
Political Career
Early Political Career
Sunak was selected as the Conservative candidate for Richmond (Yorks) in 2014, succeeding former Conservative leader William Hague. He won the seat in the 2015 general election with a significant majority. He was re-elected in 2017 and 2019, maintaining a strong hold on the constituency.
Ministerial Positions
In 2018, Sunak was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government. His rise continued when he was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury in July 2019 by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In February 2020, following Sajid Javid's resignation, Sunak was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer.
As Chancellor, Sunak played a pivotal role in the government's economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, introducing measures such as the furlough scheme, which aimed to protect jobs during lockdowns. His policies received mixed reviews, with praise for their scale and speed but criticism from some quarters regarding their long-term economic impact.
Prime Minister
After the resignation of Liz Truss in October 2022, Sunak was elected unopposed as the Leader of the Conservative Party and subsequently became Prime Minister. His premiership has focused on stabilizing the economy, navigating post-Brexit challenges, and addressing the cost of living crisis. Sunak's government has also dealt with international issues, including the ongoing response to the war in Ukraine and relations with the European Union.
Personal Life
Sunak is married to Akshata Murthy, the daughter of Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys. The couple has two daughters. Sunak is known for his significant wealth, partly derived from his marriage, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in British politics.
Sunak's interests include technology, education, and healthcare, areas he has frequently emphasized in his political career. He is also a known cricket enthusiast and has often spoken about his love for the sport.
Recognition and Influence
Rishi Sunak's tenure as Chancellor and Prime Minister has made him a prominent figure in British politics. He has been praised for his communication skills and ability to manage crises, though his policies and leadership style continue to be subjects of public debate.
Related Questions
1. Who is Rishi Sunak?
Rishi Sunak is a British politician serving as the Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since October 2022. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Richmond (Yorks) since 2015.
2. What positions has Rishi Sunak held in the UK government?
Rishi Sunak has held several key positions, including: Prime Minister (since 2022) Leader of the Conservative Party (since 2022) Chancellor of the Exchequer (2020-2022) Chief Secretary to the Treasury (2019-2020) Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government (2018-2019)
3. When and where was Rishi Sunak born?
Rishi Sunak was born on 12 May 1980 in Southampton, Hampshire, England.
4. What is Rishi Sunak's educational background?
Rishi Sunak attended Winchester College, an independent school, and later studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Oxford University. He also earned an MBA from Stanford University as a Fulbright Scholar.
5. What did Rishi Sunak do before entering politics?
Before his political career, Rishi Sunak worked for investment bank Goldman Sachs and hedge fund management firms, including The Children's Investment Fund Management and Theleme Partners, which he co-founded in 2010.
6. Who is Rishi Sunak married to?
Rishi Sunak is married to Akshata Murthy, the daughter of Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys. They have two daughters together.
7. What are some notable policies Rishi Sunak introduced as Chancellor of the Exchequer?
As Chancellor, Rishi Sunak introduced several significant measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the furlough scheme aimed at protecting jobs during lockdowns.
