Penny Mordaunt pulled out from the race to be Tory leader in the final minutes as she failed to get the needed 100 supporters to make it to the ballot.
In a post shared on her social media handles, she indicated that she was in full support of the processes of the Party that has led to the selection of Sunak as PM and declared her support for the incoming Prime Minister.
“These are unprecedented times. Despite the compressed timetable for the leadership contest, it is clear that colleagues feel we need certainty today. They have taken the decision in good faith for the good of the Country.
“Members should know that this proposition has been fairly and thoroughly tested by the agreed 1922 processes.
“As a result we have now chosen our new Prime Minister. The decision is an historic one and shows, once again, the diversity and talent of our Party. Rishi has my full support. “
Penny Mordaunt, MP
With no contender at the time of the deadline set by the 1922 Committee, the Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, emerged as leader of the Parliamentary Party.
He will address his colleagues in Parliament and later go to the Buckingham Palace where King Charles III will formally confer on him the Premiership. The incoming Prime Minister is expected to start appointing his cabinet members soon afterwards.
Sunak’s historic victory indicate that, the Parliamentary Party seemed very united in its decision as to who the next PM should be.
The Richmond (Yorks) MP, had the support of more than half of Conservative MPs. His competitor, Penny Mordaunt on the other hand, had only about 26 MPs declaring their support for her.
Sunak’s victory means he will be UK’s first Prime Minister of Indian descent and the youngest PM in modern British history. At age 42, Sunak is younger than David Cameroon and Tony Blair who both rose to the Premiership when they were 43years old.
How the News of Sunak’s Victory Was Received
In the Conservative fraternity, it was all joy because the Parliamentary Party believes Sunak will be the person to unite the Party once again.
They also have high hopes in his ability to turn around Britain’s economic fortunes which do not look good presently and in his ability to lead the Tories into fulfilling their 2019 manifesto promises.
“We need to get behind him and I will do whatever I can to help support him in making sure that he is in the best place possible in his role as prime minister but also in winning the next election.”
Therese Coffey, Deputy Prime Minister
“Rishi got the warmest reception I have seen any new leader gets. And there have been quite a few lately. Everyone understands the need for unity.”
Sajid Javid , MP
Some of Sunak’s long-time critics who did not support his Premiership bid, like Business Secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg, have congratulated him and pledged their support to him.
Jacob Rees-Mogg tweeted, “now is the time for party unity and I congratulate Rishi Sunak for his victory and will support his leadership.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss, has also congratulated Sunak. In her tweet, she said Sunak has her full support.
The opposition parties in UK’s Parliament have however indicated their displeasure in how Sunak emerged as Prime Minister.
The opposition Parties together with the Scottish National Party (SNP) had initially called for a general elections that will change the composition of Parliament all together. But the Conservatives, went on to select a leader who automatically is the next Prime Minister.
The concerns of the opposition parties now is that, due processes were not followed in selecting Sunak as Prime Minister and moreover, Sunak will be like the other Conservative PMs who couldn’t solve Britain’s problems.
“The Tories have crowned Rishi Sunak as prime minister without him saying a single word about how he would run the country and without anyone having the chance to vote.
“This is the same Rishi Sunak who as chancellor failed to grow the economy, failed to get a grip on inflation, and failed to help families with the Tory cost of living crisis.”
Angela Rayner, Deputy leader of the Labour party.
“The Conservative party has trashed the British economy, pushed local health services to the brink, and added hundreds of pounds to people’s monthly mortgage payments.
“Now Conservative MPs have installed another out-of-touch prime minister with no plan to repair the damage and without giving the British people a say.
Sir Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats
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