Rishi Sunak became Britain’s third prime minister in two months on Tuesday (October 25, 2022) and began assembling his top team with important Cabinet appointments to steer the country out of a deep economic catastrophe. Sunak reappointed Indian-origin Suella Braverman as interior minister less than a week after she quit for violating government rules.
Braverman, 42, resigned a day before former Prime Minister Liz Truss after violating email security rules, expressing worries about Truss’s government’s direction in her resignation letter.
Sunak, a Hindu and Britain’s first prime minister of Indian heritage, also reappointed Jeremy Hunt as finance minister, in an effort to reassure investors that had been alarmed by his predecessor’s debt-fueled economic plans.
He also reinstated Dominic Raab as deputy prime minister, a position he had lost during Truss’ 44 days in government, and reappointed James Cleverly as foreign minister and Ben Wallace as defence minister.
Penny Mordaunt, who lost her leadership attempt to Sunak on Monday, retained her job as leader of the House of Commons, which organises the government’s activity in the lower house of parliament.
Thérèse Coffey was named Environment Secretary, and Steve Barclay was named Health Secretary. Sunak’s Education Secretary has been named Gillian Keegan.
Mark Harper has been named Transport Secretary, and Michelle Donelan has been reappointed Culture Secretary.
Kemi Badenoch was re-appointed as International Trade Secretary and Women and Equalities Minister.
Sunak was regarded as appointing ministers from across the Conservative Party while retaining others in place, which should allay concerns that he would choose loyalists rather than try to unite the party.
Will unite the UK through action rather than words says Sunak Rishi
Sunak appeared outside his official Downing Street house earlier on Tuesday, shortly after accepting King Charles’ request to form a cabinet, and lauded his predecessor Liz Truss’ determination to reinvigorate economic growth while admitting mistakes had been made.
“I have been elected as leader of my party and your prime minister, in part to fix them,” he added.
Sunak also pledged to prioritise the demands of the public before political considerations, recognising the growing resentment of Britain’s political class and the ideological fights that have raged since the historic 2016 Brexit decision.
“I understand, too, that I have work to do to restore trust, after all that has happened. All I can say is that I am not daunted. I know the high office I have accepted and I hope to live up to its demands,” he said.
“I will unite our country, not with words, but with action… I will work day in and day out to deliver for you,” he added.