Rishi Sunak appointed UK’s finance minister

Rishi Sunak appointed UK’s finance minister
Rishi Sunak
The 39-year-old, who is son-in-law of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, replaces his boss Sajid Javid in a surprise shake-up of Johnson’s cabinet

The promotion of Rishi Sunak as the UK’s chancellor of the exchequer, equivalent to finance minister, is a reflection of the increasing importance of Indian-origin politicians in the changing landscape of British politics.

Sunak, till now better known as the son-in-law of Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, replaced Sajid javid, a Pakistani-origin longstanding member of the Conservative party. While Sunak’s appointment will now make a section of the British press devote columns in chronicling the insatiable power struggle afflicting the Tory party, the Indian diaspora has much reason to celebrate.

Sunak first became MP in 2015 from the leafy and posh Richmond constituency, and following his reelection in 2019, was described as a rising star in British politics. That description got much traction when he supported Boris Johnson in the Tory leadership battle and got elected the third time to Parliament in the December 2019 election. He kept his appointment as the chief secretary to the Treasury in July 2019, effectively working under Javid.

It was widely expected that Sunak would get a promotion in the latest cabinet rejig, but his appointment as the chancellor of the exchequer as come as a surprise to most. Sunak, a Brexiteer, appeared in the 2019 election campaign on behalf of the Conservative party in the prestigious TV debates on BBC and ITV. His rise thus is a testament to his importance to both the Tory party and the Boris Johnson government. In Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson has got a dependable ally who also subscribes to the ‘One Nation’ values that Johnson espouses. In an article for The Times, Sunak identified the ‘One Nation’ as crucial to “inspire the country and revitalise our party”.

While entering the Treasury, Sunak told reporters that he was “delighted” with the appointment although he has his task cut out with the budget just four weeks away. Javid quit amidst row with the PM after he refused to sack his aides due to differences between the prime minister’s office and the Treasury. The fact that a fellow Asian-origin leader has replaced Javid, who was the first minister home secretary and chancellor of the exchequer of non-british heritage home will also serve to allay any talks of Downing Street sidelining a prominent Asian face.

Sunak was born in Southampton to Dr Yashvir, a general practitioner and Usha, a pharmacist originally hailing from Punjab, but had moved to the UK from East Africa where they were based. His rise follows a trajectory not unknown to those who are aware of the well-educated and professional stock of Indian-origin families which have excelled in different walks of life. However, Sunak’s rise in politics has not followed the template of some of the older generation Indian-origin parliamentarians like Keith Vaz or Virendra Sharma who rose high on the back of highlighting race issues or the problems of immigrants who constituted a large chunk of the population in their Parliamentary constituencies. Richmond is considered a Tory-supporting area and hence Sunak’s choice as a Tory candidate as well as his success in elections with increased majority mark herald a new permutation in British politics.

His parents were popular in the community due to their profession, and now Sunak will have to replicate that at a much higher platform and under intense glare. Along with fellow cabinet colleagues Priti Patel, Alok Sharma, and Suella Braverman Boris Johnson’s cabinet is easliy the most desi one, giving one more reason to British Indians to enjoy chicken tikka with more relish

Lord Rami Ranger told Mirror: "Getting promoted to the No. 2 position in the government at such a young age speaks volume about his abilities to run the fifth largest economy of the world."

He is very intelligent and a hardworking member of the Cabinet. He is not only a credit to the United Kingdom but also to India where his roots are. Getting promoted to the No2 position in the Govt at such a young age speaks volumes about his abilities to run the fifth largest economy of the world.

Other PIOs in cabinet

Prime Minister Johnson has rewarded talent in the reshuffle, simply because post-Brexit, he will need a team capable of growing the economy and able to forge trade links with rest of the world and in particular with the Commonwealth countries.

Besides, Johnson’s new team is now led by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary, Priti Patel and Business Secretary Alok Sharma, Indian descendants making Mother India proud.”
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