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Rishi Sunak, Former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer - and now UK PM

Good God, what's next! He should resign with immediate effect, and his chances of getting in to number 10 have virtually gone in to thin air.
 
Funny part is that for BoJo, a weakened sunak staying in office is the best political outcome.

With massive public spending on covid, no chancellor can open the purse strings in the near future while also holding taxes down. Sunak resigning will make his admin look bad and his allies constantly brief that number 10 wants to spend more but the treasury is the bad guy
 
According to Sunday Time, Sunak was considering resigning from his post. Pity he didn't follow through with this thought.
 
Markhor said:
So now you are speaking for all British Indians and are representing their interests. Let British Indians decide where their interests lie.

The issue is nothing to do with Sunak's Indian connections but a clear conflict of interest - how can a Finance Minister be in charge of reviewing the non-domicile tax laws when his own family stands to benefit from them ?

Although I accept there's political motivations - I wouldn't be surprised if someone from Boris's camp leaked this given the antipathy between the PM and Sunak - it's a bad look when utility bills are skyrocketing, inflation is soaring and people are struggling to make ends meet.
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That would be true for 100s of decisions finance ministers take in different countries. Their families will also benefit from those decisions. Does that amount to conflict of interest? If yes then how can they avoid that conflict of interest.
 
cricketjoshila said:
Whatever tax benefits she took are as per law and as per agreements between India and UK.
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Sunak's wife and her non DOM status has absolutely nothing to do with her being an Indian national. This is purely voluntary, if you can get away with it. There are plenty of wealthy UK citizens who claim non DOM status to reduce their foreign earnings taxes.
In fact, after 15 years of living here, if she's still living here by then, she'll lose her non DOM status anyway regardless of what passport she holds.

So stop bleating about agreements between India and the UK. Being non DOM status has nothing to do with it.

The problem is simply that she is Sunak's wife. who is evading UK taxes, albeit perfectly legally using legal tax loopholes. Sunak is the Chancellor and sets UK taxes. In fact one if his recent decisions was to leave the non DOM tax loophole in place when other's in the Treasury Department wanted the loophole closed. So there's a conflict of interest straight away. Was Sunak's decision affected by his wife's (and thus his family's, and by inference, his) non DOM status saving £millions in taxes every year?
 
cricketjoshila said:
Both of you do realise that there is double tax avoidance treaty between India and UK so that entities and individuals are not taxed twice.

But Akshata will now have to pay taxes twice on her income, because her husband is a politician. Is it fair on her?
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Under the double taxation agreement dividend income from a company based in India to someone who is resident (not necessarily a citizen of) the UK can be taxed in the UK or India.
 
The Liberal Democrats have reported Rishi Sunak to a parliamentary watchdog over investments they say he failed to declare before entering cabinet.

Mr Sunak reported after becoming chief secretary to the Treasury in 2019 that he had investments in a blind trust - a set-up in which details of assets are kept from their owner, commonly to avoid conflicts of interest.

But the Liberal Democrats pointed out that he had not declared these investments under the MPs' register of financial interests during the previous four years in parliament, including his time as a housing minister from 2018 to 2019.

The party has now written to Kathryn Stone, the standards commissioner, asking for an "urgent investigation" into whether he broke rules stating that MPs must declare any relevant financial interest that "might reasonably thought by others to influence his or her actions or words as a member".

The move will add pressure to the chancellor, who is facing calls to resign after he was fined by the Met Police over rule-breaking parties in lockdown.

The Lib Dems have also called for the chancellor to be transparent about the blind trust by revealing how much money it contains, how much income he receives from it, how much tax he pays on that income and what arrangements are in place to ensure it is "blind".

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: "Sunak's continual failure to declare the details of his investments is a kick in the teeth to the millions of people who are paying the price for his unfair tax rises - now, these new revelations suggest he's broken the rules of the House of Commons.

"The British public deserve to know whether, when he was a backbench MP, Sunak's substantial investments influenced his actions in Parliament in any way.

"But, because he didn't declare his interests back then, we have no idea whether they did. That's why we need an urgent investigation into whether he broke the rules."

It comes as Mr Sunak already faces pressure over the revelation that Akshata Murty, his Indian-born multimillionaire wife, held "non-dom" status, allowing her to avoid paying UK tax on worldwide income.

The chancellor, who previously lived and worked in the United States, has also faced scrutiny over his green card status, disclosing last week that he held the US permanent residency document until last autumn, a year and a half after moving into Number 11.

Labour has accused him of hypocrisy over his household financial affairs at a time when the government has been hiking taxes for millions of workers.

Tory backbench MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has told Sky News the situation "doesn't look very good".

If started, an investigation by the standards commissioner would be the third Whitehall inquiry to be launched since Mr Sunak's private arrangements began to become the focus of major political interest last week.

Civil servants are already conducting an inquiry into who leaked details of Ms Murty's tax affairs.

Boris Johnson has asked the independent adviser on ministers' interests, Lord Geidt, to investigate Mr Sunak's financial affairs - at the chancellor's request.

Who is Rishi Sunak's wife and why are her family so wealthy?

The chancellor has asked Lord Geidt to determine whether all his interests were "properly declared", though he has maintained that he "always followed the rules" and said he hopes that the review will provide "further clarity".

Mr Sunak has bristled at questions over his wife's financial affairs, describing them as "smears".

Ms Murty has now said she will pay UK tax on all her worldwide earnings.

Armed forces minister James Heappey told Sky's Kay Burley on Monday that there was "a sort of unease... that in 2022 that is still something that she felt compelled to do to support her husband, but she never did anything wrong by being non-dom.

"She is an Indian national, and she pays her taxes elsewhere. She's changed that out of loyalty to Rishi. I think that's very admirable."

SKY
 
<b>London Evening Standard: Rishi Sunak cleared of breaching ministerial code by PM’s standards adviser</b>

<I>The Chancellor was investigated over his wife’s non-domiciled tax status and him having held a US permanent resident card.</I>

Rishi Sunak has been cleared of breaching the ministerial code by the Prime Minister’s standards advisor Lord Geidt.

Mr Sunak referred himself to Lord Geidt after it was revealed his wife Akshata Murthy held non-domiciled tax status which exempted her from paying UK tax on overseas earnings.

He also asked the standards adviser to review whether his possession of a US green card constituted a conflict of interest.

After reviewing the evidence, Lord Geidt concluded there had been no conflict of interest in relation to his wife’s tax status.

Lord Geidt found two instances where Ms Murty’s tax status “could have given rise to a conflict of interest” for the Chancellor but found in the first instance, the issue was properly declared, and in the second Mr Sunak assured a Treasury change in policy for some non-dom individuals, did not affect his wife.

In relation to Mr Sunak’s green card, Lord Geidt added: “While having initially been declared, on appointment to ministerial office at HM.

“Treasury the fact of the Card was not repeated in the declaration. The Chancellor has explained that this was based on his previous understanding of the relevance of the Card.”

He added: “He also discussed the matter with the relevant authorities in the United States and, as a result of those discussions, decided that it would be appropriate at that point to relinquish the Card.”

Lord Geidt said he asked the Treasury to search for any policy that would have affected holders of the card and Mr Sunak’s department responded with "no such evidence".

He was also satisfied there is no conflict of interest over Mr Sunak’s blind investment trust after the Chancellor assured he does not have "live knowledge" of the contents.

In conclusion, he said: “I advise that the requirements of the Ministerial Code have been adhered to by the Chancellor, and that he has been assiduous in meeting his obligations and in engaging with this investigation.

“In reaching these judgements, I am confined to the question of conflicts of interest and the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

“My role does not touch on any wider question of the merits of such interests or arrangements.”

Earlier this month, the Prime Minister agreed to launch the investigation amid intense pressure on Mr Sunak over his family’s financial interests.

While the Chancellor has now relinquished his green card, his wife also agreed to pay UK taxes on overseas income earlier this month.

Ms Murty, who is an Indian citizen, is reported to hold a 0.91 per cent stake in Infosys and has received £11.6 million in dividends from the Indian firm in the past year.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/...x-non-dom-cleared-lord-geidt-b996723.html?amp
 
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to bow to pressure to impose a windfall tax on energy companies when he sets out the government's latest plan to tackle the cost of living crisis later.

Although not confirmed, Treasury sources have also not denied reports that he will scrap the requirement to repay the £200 discount on energy bills, and could increase the level of the grant.

Details are expected to be revealed in the Commons in the morning and are anticipated to target those who are suffering the most.

The announcement comes a day after Sue Gray's much-anticipated report on lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street was published, prompting critics to accuse the government of bringing forward the measures to distract from the fallout.

A windfall tax on oil and gas companies, which have benefited from global price rises, is widely expected to fund the measures.

Options that have been discussed include a further increase to the warm homes discount to help low-income households cope with rising energy bills.

Other measures discussed include increasing the winter fuel allowance, a further council tax cut or a VAT cut.

Calls for help for the most vulnerable were renewed this week after it was announced that the energy price cap is set to increase by a further £830 to £2,800 in October.

On Wednesday afternoon, a Treasury spokeswoman said: "We understand that people are struggling with rising prices, which is why we've provided £22bn of support to date.

"The chancellor was clear that as the situation evolves, so will our response, with the most vulnerable being his number one priority."

Labour has been calling for a windfall tax on oil and gas giants for the past few months but the government has so far resisted those calls.

Mr Sunak told the Commons last week that the government does "not believe that windfall taxes are the simple and easy answer to every problem".

"However, we are pragmatic, and we want to see our energy companies, which have made extraordinary profits at a time of acutely elevated prices, investing those profits back into British jobs, growth and energy security," he added.

"I have made it clear and said repeatedly that, if that does not happen soon and at significant scale, no option is off the table."

Offshore Energies UK, which represents the offshore oil and gas industry, warned a windfall tax would mean higher prices and do long-term damage to the industry.

Deirdre Michie, its chief executive, said: "This is an industry that thinks and plans long-term, so sudden new costs, like this proposed tax, will disrupt planning and investment and, above all, undermine investor confidence."

Ms Michie said the industry is already the UK's most highly taxed, paying 40% on offshore profits, and operators would send the Treasury £7.8bn this financial year.

She said that was equivalent to £279 a household and a windfall tax would mean a decline in production in years ahead.

Ms Michie said the industry is "actually very proud to pay our taxes", but warned "the problem is when new taxes are imposed suddenly and without consultation".

https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-su...ng-crisis-plan-after-sue-gray-report-12621498
 
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £15bn package of cost of living support including a £400 discount on energy bills for all and a £650 one-off payment to the poorest eight million households.

The measures will be partly funded by a temporary levy on oil and gas companies which are enjoying bumper profits, as a result of soaring prices, that is expected to raise £5bn over the next year.

It comes after inflation soared to a 40-year high, with energy bills set to climb by a further £800 in the autumn, and the Bank of England warning of "apocalyptic" food price rises as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Announcing the policy in the House of Commons, Mr Sunak acknowledged that people were struggling.

He said: "We will get through this, we have the tools and the determination we need to combat and reduce inflation. We will make sure the most vulnerable and least well off get the support they need at this time of difficulty

"We know that households are being hit hard right now. We will provide significant support to the British people."

The cost of living package includes:

• Temporary targeted energy profits levy of 25% on profits of oil and gas firms. Phased out when prices return to normal.
• £650 one-off payment to eight million of the lowest-income households
• Eight million pensioners who get winter fuel payment to also get a £300 payment
• £150 extra payment for people on disability benefits
• Energy bill rebate scheme to double to £400 and will not have to be repaid
• Extra £500m for household support fund delivered by local councils, increasing it to a total £1.5bn

Ministers had been resistant to Labour proposals for a windfall tax but with inflation soaring to 9% and the Bank of England's warnings of worse to come, pressure to act has intensified.

Mr Sunak's levy on the oil and gas firms - taking effect from today - is not just a one-off as it will only be phased out "if oil and gas prices return to historically more levels" and could be in place to the end of December 2025 - when a "sunset clause" will end the tax.

It faced criticism from the CBI - which suggested the tax could discourage investment - as well as the Tory backbenches, where MP Richard Drax accused the chancellor of "throwing red meat to socialists".

Rachel Reeves, Labour's shadow chancellor, attacked the government for not acting sooner and said the chancellor had been "dragged kicking and screaming" into performing a U-turn. He said the Conservatives' measures were only being announced "because they needed a new headline".

Mr Sunak's announcement comes a day after Sue Gray's damning report into lockdown parties in Downing Street, laying bare details of drunken parties, fighting and karaoke in the heart of government at a time when COVID-19 restrictions were in place.

It builds on a package worth around £22bn announced in February offering £200 off energy bills for all and £150 off most households' council tax bills.

But that policy would have seen the £200 energy discount paid back by consumers over five years. Mr Sunak's latest announcement scraps that requirement and adds £200 to bring the total rebate due in October to £400.

That discount represents about half of the £800 increase in energy bills that Ofgem forecasts will result when it next adjusts its price cap.

The £650 targeted payment for the poorest households will go to those eligible for universal credit, tax credits, pension credit and other benefits and will be sent as two lump sums directly into their bank accounts - the first from July, the second in the autumn.

Mr Sunak said that taken together the latest measures and those announced earlier in the year added up to £37bn of support, or 1.5% of GDP, which he said was higher than or similar to measures taken in France, Germany, Japan and Italy.

Three-quarters of the support will go to vulnerable people, he said.

The chancellor said the energy profits levy - which he was at pains not to describe as a windfall tax as proposed by Labour - was being wielded at a time when the oil and gas sector was making "extraordinary profits".

It will not apply to the electricity generation sector, where some companies have also seen profits boosted by high gas prices, though the government "will urgently evaluate the scale of these extraordinary profits and the appropriate steps to take", Mr Sunak said.

Ed Conway walks through the details of the chancellor's cost of living plans.
The tax will also be offset by a big increase in the amount of tax relief that energy companies can claim against investments.

But CBI chief economist Rain Newton-Smith said: "Despite the investment incentive, the open-ended nature of the energy profits levy - and the potential to bring electricity generation into scope - will be damaging to investment needed for energy security and net zero ambitions."

The prime minister's chief of staff Steve Barclay earlier brushed off the suggestion that the launch of the cost of living policy was designed to deflect attention from the partygate scandal, during an interview on Sky News.

He pointed instead to a forecast earlier this week by regulator Ofgem that an increase in its price cap was expected to see the typical annual energy bill rise to £2,800 this autumn.

Surging energy costs have already pushed inflation to 9%, its highest level since the early 1980s, and the Bank of England has warned it could top 10% later in the year and that a recession looms.

The Bank's governor Andrew Bailey has also warned of "apocalyptic" food price rises as the war in Ukraine hits wheat and cooking oil supplies.

Mr Sunak said that the country could combat and reduce inflation over time through Bank of England action, reforms in areas such as energy and visas and "responsible" fiscal policy - offering support where necessary but only through "timely, temporary and targeted" measures.

His cost of living package comes two weeks after Boris Johnson hinted at an announcement - which was swiftly followed by a Treasury denial that there would be an emergency budget.

SKY
 
Good announcements from Sunak.

Labour policies fully aped.
 
Same old story.

Labour supports/suggests a motion
Tories oppose it
Then Tories can oppose it some more
Then the pressure becomes too much or they need another headline to get out of some controversy
They adopt the labour motion after continuously opposing it
 
Robert said:
And timed to obviate the Sue Gray findings.
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Yes.

The evidence suggests that this help was already being planned, but also that it was originally due to be rolled out after the Jubilee bank holiday weekend.

Like you say, the measures were fast-tracked in order to control the news cycle.

But the help is still welcome.
 
Chancellor Rishi Sunak and health secretary Sajid Javid have resigned from Boris Johnson's government.

The chancellor said: "The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning."

In his letter to the PM, Mr Javid said: "It is with enormous regret that I must tell you that I can no longer, in good conscience, continue serving in this government. I am instinctively a team player but the British people also rightly expect integrity from their government.

The tone you set as a leader, and the values you represent, reflect on your colleagues, your party and ultimately the country.

"Conservatives at their best are seen as hard-headed decision-makers, guided by strong values. We may not have always been popular, but we have been competent in acting in the national interest.

"Sadly, in the current circumstances, the public are concluding that we are now neither.

"The vote of confidence last month showed that a large number of our colleagues agree. It was a moment for humility, grip and new direction. I regret to say, however, that it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership - and you have therefore lost my confidence too."

The pair's resignations came minutes after Mr Johnson gave an interview admitting he should not have appointed MP Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip in February after claims the MP groped two men last week.

SKY
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. <br><br>I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.<br><br>My letter to the Prime Minister below. <a href="https://t.co/vZ1APB1ik1">pic.twitter.com/vZ1APB1ik1</a></p>— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) <a href="https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1544368323625947137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Feel for sunak in a way. He obviously made mistakes, but he also did good things, don't forget his introduction was in a pandemic, a universal inflation, the war in Ukraine. The poor guy inherited a poison chalice of a position as the chancellor in these times.
 
Manunited18 said:
Feel for sunak in a way. He obviously made mistakes, but he also did good things, don't forget his introduction was in a pandemic, a universal inflation, the war in Ukraine. The poor guy inherited a poison chalice of a position as the chancellor in these times.
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Any Chancellor would have implented what Rishi did during the pandemic. Folk were quick judge him as some sort of saviour.

He should go back to banking and stay away from politics.
 
No reason to feel sorry for Sunak. He was planning to resign anyway after the tax avoidance fiasco with his wife's millions.

He was never fit for the job.
 
Zahawi declines to rule out running as leader

Asked if he will run as leader when there's a vacancy, the new chancellor again sidesteps the question and perhaps tellingly declines to rule out a bid for the top job - while again referencing former New Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, who he appears keen to make a theme of his interview this morning .

"There's no vacancy," he says.

"People are egging us on to turn on each other, people like Alastair Campbell..."

Told the odds are relatively narrow on him succeeding his current boss in Downing Street, he opts once more to simultaneously deflect while offering the kind of response one might reasonably expect a leadership candidate to give.

"I will be working very hard to make sure that this team continues to deliver," he says.

"The prime minister is focused on delivery, delivery, delivery."
 
What are the immediate challenges Zahawi will face?

The cost of living is one of the first things the new chancellor will have to grapple with as he moves into No 11 Downing Street.

There are growing fears the UK could fall into a recession, defined as the economy getting smaller for two consecutive three-month periods, with higher prices causing households and businesses rein in spending.

Here are some of the main issues Zahawi will face:

Inflation: The rate at which prices rise is currently running at a 40-year high of 9.1% and is set to rise past 11% in the autumn
Energy bills: A typical household energy bill is now heading above £3,000 a year this winter, £200 higher than previously predicted. Bills rose by an unprecedented £700 in April
Fuel prices: The cost of petrol and diesel has soared following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the cost of a litre of petrol rising by 17p in June alone. Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak introduced a 5p a litre cut to fuel duty but there are calls for more action
Food costs: The war in Ukraine is also impacting on some food supplies globally, such as wheat and sunflower oil. Supermarkets in the UK say they are trying to keep a lid on price rises, but latest official figures show people are cutting back on shopping as the cost of living bites into budgets
 
Indian-Origin Leader Rishi Sunak In Race For Next UK PM: 5 Facts On Him

If it happens, he will be first Indian origin man to be British PM.


Rishi Sunak, whose resignation as Chancellor of the exchequer triggered an avalanche of resignations against Boris Johnson, is believed to be a contender for next UK Prime Minister. If it happens, he will be first Indian origin man to be British PM.

Rishi Sunak, 42, was picked by Boris Johnson and appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer -- his first full cabinet position -- in February 2020.

He's seen by the bookmakers Ladbrokes as joint favorite alongside former Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt. He became hugely popular during the pandemic after crafting a massive package worth tens of billions of pounds to help businesses and workers.

Nicknamed "Dishy" Rishi, he found himself on the backfoot over his wife's non-dom tax status, his US green card, and the perception of him being too slow to react to Britain's cost-of-living crisis.

A teetotaller, he was also fined for defying the Covid lockdown and participating in a Downing Street gathering.

Rishi Sunak's grandparents came from Punjab. He has two daughters with Akshata Murty, the daughter of Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy. They met while students in California.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/5-p...sis-updates-3135900#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll
 
I think Sunak made it clear in his resignation that he's not looking to be minister again. He wont last 6 months before they ask him to leave as well, Sunak's team knows that.
 
shortbread said:
I think Sunak made it clear in his resignation that he's not looking to be minister again. He wont last 6 months before they ask him to leave as well, Sunak's team knows that.
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He wont overlook a once in a life time opportunity at bragging rights, people like him and his predecessor only care for their own perception rather then doing good for the country, it’s more about bragging rights
 
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shaz619 said:
He wont overlook a once in a life time opportunity at bragging rights, people like him and his predecessor only care for their own perception rather then doing good for the country, it’s more about bragging rights
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The hints lie in the news cycle. Each and everyone of them have dirty linen to hide, so when it comes out in the public it's evident they have a mark on their back. In March Sunak knew what's coming for him as his popularity climbed, first the lockdown fines, then his wife's tax status. Considering the inherent legalised corruption rife in Westminster (MPs lapping up monthly payments from corporations in the name of paper board positions etc..) either should have been non events.... but the press did their job. Sunak will not be PM and by now I don't think he wants it either.... poisoned chalice et al. Unlike the rest in this circus he's got lucrative options elsewhere and he knows where the exchequer is headed.

In the same news cycle a lot of praises for Lizz Truss who infact did faff all. Including an impromptu visit to Sergei Lavrov, which for her was simply another photo op and served no other purpose. All of which was plastered all over the front pages.

I'll be placing four figures on Truss with the bookies!
 
Ben Wallace is apparently leading polls amongst Tory members.
 
Sunak has had a rough year, he looks tired and he seems to have lost the youthful spark that he used to have about him. He doesn’t want to become PM imo, don’t think he will run. I can even see him choosing to not rerun for his seat next time and leaving politics altogether in the next couple of years.
 
James said:
Sunak has had a rough year, he looks tired and he seems to have lost the youthful spark that he used to have about him. He doesn’t want to become PM imo, don’t think he will run. I can even see him choosing to not rerun for his seat next time and leaving politics altogether in the next couple of years.
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Would serve him better.
 
Tax avoidance.
Green card affair.
Undeclared assets.

Those who thought Boris is a liar, Sunak is a snake on a bad day, and Medusa on a good day.
 
Would be a fool to become one, should go back to Banking, isn’t tough enough to be a politician.

Better to become rich and control the politicians that can do one’s bidding.
 
shortbread said:
The hints lie in the news cycle. Each and everyone of them have dirty linen to hide, so when it comes out in the public it's evident they have a mark on their back. In March Sunak knew what's coming for him as his popularity climbed, first the lockdown fines, then his wife's tax status. Considering the inherent legalised corruption rife in Westminster (MPs lapping up monthly payments from corporations in the name of paper board positions etc..) either should have been non events.... but the press did their job. Sunak will not be PM and by now I don't think he wants it either.... poisoned chalice et al. Unlike the rest in this circus he's got lucrative options elsewhere and he knows where the exchequer is headed.

In the same news cycle a lot of praises for Lizz Truss who infact did faff all. Including an impromptu visit to Sergei Lavrov, which for her was simply another photo op and served no other purpose. All of which was plastered all over the front pages.

I'll be placing four figures on Truss with the bookies!
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He’s guilty by association, RE wife’s tax status. When you put it the way you have, I can see him hiding away from politics before the waters get muddier. Hard to feel sympathy for a bloke who directly or indirectly enjoys the fruits of the common man’s labour.
 
Rishi Sunak has announced he is standing to be the next prime minister after Boris Johnson's resignation yesterday.

The former chancellor resigned from his ministerial post on Tuesday evening, just moments after Sajid Javid quit as health secretary.

It came as Mr Johnson faced further questions about his handling of the row over disgraced MP Chris Pincher, which ultimately led to him agreeing to step aside on Thursday.

In his resignation letter to Mr Johnson, Mr Sunak said "the public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously", adding: "I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning."

Announcing his bid, Mr Sunak said: "Let's restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country."

SKY
 
Just what the UK needs, another supporter of the rich.

We need a leader who understands how ordinary folk are struggling.

This chap will be another disaster.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m standing to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister.<br><br>Let’s restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ready4Rishi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ready4Rishi</a><br><br>Sign up 👉 <a href="https://t.co/KKucZTV7N1">https://t.co/KKucZTV7N1</a> <a href="https://t.co/LldqjLRSgF">pic.twitter.com/LldqjLRSgF</a></p>— Ready For Rishi (@RishiSunak) <a href="https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1545426650032111616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Did not even think that he would be standing. Shows how much I know, lol.

Launch video is a bit cringe.
 
A few more MPs are throwing their support behind Rishi Sunak.

Former Tory Party co-chairman Oliver Dowden - who resigned in June following two by-election losses for the party to Labour and the Liberal Democrats - says Sunak is the "best person to lead our country and unquestionably the best person to beat Labour".

Liam Fox - a senior Tory and former defence secretary - says Sunak's "experience, integrity and vision" is what makes the former chancellor the best candidate.

MP Mel Stride, who chairs the Commons Treasury Committee, has also pledged his support.

"Only Rishi has the proven track record as an economic heavyweight to deliver," Stride says.
 
Seems that Rishi has the early momentum with MPs.
 
James said:
Seems that Rishi has the early momentum with MPs.
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Yep. His authority and backing amongst his peers in the party showed the other evening when his resignation caused the Domino effect, even now theirs big figures who are backing him.
 
If he becomes the PM I can see average Indians facing more racism and UK moving even more to the right.

Hopefully he gets thrashed.
 
JaDed said:
If he becomes the PM I can see average Indians facing more racism and UK moving even more to the right.

Hopefully he gets thrashed.
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No they will be fine. Sunak doesnt come across as Indian, he speaks in a posh accent. The racists who attack minorities are too stupid , they attack those who sound foreign rather than how they look.

However the Tory party does have a large racist folllowing, this may lead to his downfall before the next GE.

Imo if he becomes PM, they are setting him up for some sort of major disaster. I would guess the winter, when the economy will seriously suffer. He can blamed as he was chancellor, should have knew better etc.
 
hoshiarpurexpress said:
Also, Infosys getting all UK govt. contracts cannot be ruled out.:sarf
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For what? To say infy will get Uk contracts is a very low street level knowledge inference. Narayan Murthy and entire family combined owns less than 1% stake in infosys, and they have far larger AUMs in other assets (startups, public listed companies globally, real estate) managed by their family offices. Infy doing well or not doesn't impact them much.
 
KingKhanWC said:
No they will be fine. Sunak doesnt come across as Indian, he speaks in a posh accent. The racists who attack minorities are too stupid , they attack those who sound foreign rather than how they look.

However the Tory party does have a large racist folllowing, this may lead to his downfall before the next GE.

Imo if he becomes PM, they are setting him up for some sort of major disaster. I would guess the winter, when the economy will seriously suffer. He can blamed as he was chancellor, should have knew better etc.
Click to expand...

This is 100% true.

Anyone from the Tories standing up now is a lame duck and a patsy. If Tories truly want the current setup of Boris gone then they'd go for a vote of no confidence.

They probably won't as they would be beaten in the GE if it was held now
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">☕️ After his shock resignation last night, Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murthy brings out a round of tea for journalists waiting for him to show his face. <a href="https://t.co/Yt8ldN2aX9">pic.twitter.com/Yt8ldN2aX9</a></p>— ITV News Calendar (@itvcalendar) <a href="https://twitter.com/itvcalendar/status/1544714052177387520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

==

Akshata Murty, wife of former UK minister Rishi Sunak and the daughter of Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy, is at the centre of a row at a time when her husband has launched a bid to the Prime Minister's post following the unceremonious exit of Boris Johnson. The reason: her crockery choices.

A viral video shows Ms Murty walking up to the journalists waiting outside their home and serving them tea and biscuits.

Hawk-eyed Twitter users were quick to claim that the cups are from a brand named Emma Lacy and cost 38 pounds each.

A user asked if Ms Murty was trying to copy Mr Johnson's gesture of serving tea to journalists.

"Can't believe Rishi Sunak spends £38 on mugs, Akshata Murty millionaire trying to copy Bo Jo for? Say what you want about walking tumble weed on legs but at least he had real mugs," a user tweeted.

Another accused her of being "tone deaf" and said the cost of the mug could feed a family for 2 days. "Tone deaf!!! The price of that mug could feed a family for 2 days!! I would've dropped it," the user tweeted.

Hike in taxes and a soaring cost of living was one of the key factors behind public discontent against the Boris Johnson-led government. Mr Sunak, then UK Chancellor, had come under criticism over the rise in taxes. The Opposition had also targeted him over the non-domicile tax status of Ms Murty.

Ms Murty, 42, who is still an Indian citizen, has a net worth of about $1.2 billion owing to her stake in Infosys Ltd., founded by her father Narayana Murty, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

NDTV
 
son in law of billionaires, dodgy tax dealings, not a great record as chancellor, tories will be shooting themselves in the foot by electing him, will be easy prey for the left in an election.
 
If Rishi was Pakistani more of you would be rooting for him.
 
James said:
Seems that Rishi has the early momentum with MPs.
Click to expand...

Yes but the members ultimately make the choice once the MPs whittle down the choices.

I suspect many of the wealthier Tory members won't be too pleased that Sunak oversaw the highest UK tax burden in decades...
 
Markhor said:
Yes but the members ultimately make the choice once the MPs whittle down the choices.

I suspect many of the wealthier Tory members won't be too pleased that Sunak oversaw the highest UK tax burden in decades...
Click to expand...

Highest UK tax burden in decades? sounds like the Labour party doesn’t it :yk2
 
topspin said:
If Rishi was Pakistani more of you would be rooting for him.
Click to expand...

I think both are elite backed clowns but If I had to choose I'd choose Rishi not Sajid.

I have a feeling Liss Truss might have a good chance as she may be rewarded for her very pro-Ukraine warmongering.
 
shaz619 said:
Highest UK tax burden in decades? sounds like the Labour party doesn’t it :yk2
Click to expand...

Indeed that's why many Tories are disgruntled as they feel Boris/Sunak strayed too far away from conservatism.

Javid and Hunt are pledging now to slash Corporation Tax to 15% so it doesn't seem the budget black hole is of any concern to them.

British public must understand there's no such thing as a free lunch. We want world class public services but low levels of personal tax. Something has to give.
 
The West is a consumer drive market; the more disposable income an individual has the better the economy. This is economics 101.

Ergo, lower VAT, lower income tax, abolish any NI hikes, reduce fuel duty and forget about paying off the national debt.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rishi Sunak, on camera, saying his friends are Aristocrats and members of the upper class, “not working class”. <br><br>He would be a Prime Minister for the few not the many.<a href="https://t.co/UvLLPFt8JG">pic.twitter.com/UvLLPFt8JG</a></p>— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidLammy/status/1545781532727644161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
MenInG said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rishi Sunak, on camera, saying his friends are Aristocrats and members of the upper class, “not working class”. <br><br>He would be a Prime Minister for the few not the many.<a href="https://t.co/UvLLPFt8JG">pic.twitter.com/UvLLPFt8JG</a></p>— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidLammy/status/1545781532727644161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Click to expand...

He will be a disaster as a PM
 
Technics 1210 said:
The West is a consumer drive market; the more disposable income an individual has the better the economy. This is economics 101.

Ergo, lower VAT, lower income tax, abolish any NI hikes, reduce fuel duty and forget about paying off the national debt.
Click to expand...

I’m inclined to agree.

We need lower taxes.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
What if Rishi was Nigerian? Would you even care?
Click to expand...

Yes I would because I support him as he's the most competent Tory. Heads and shoulders above his peers. I hope he'll be the next PM. I imagine you probably don't want to see him reach the top for non-political reasons shall we say.
 
KingKhanWC said:
I think both are elite backed clowns but If I had to choose I'd choose Rishi not Sajid.

I have a feeling Liss Truss might have a good chance as she may be rewarded for her very pro-Ukraine warmongering.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Truss is thick af. She won't get the support she needs from her peers to be the new leader.
 
topspin said:
Agreed.

Truss is thick af. She won't get the support she needs from her peers to be the new leader.
Click to expand...

And yet she studied PPE at Oxford, then worked in senior management at Shell. She co-authored that book which is the modern Tory Bible.

She’s not thick, she just has that inane look on her face, and is ideologically wedded to laissez-faire to the point of dismissing contrary evidence, a bit like religious fundies.
 
James said:
I’m inclined to agree.

We need lower taxes.
Click to expand...

We'd all love lower taxes in the long run, but to call for unfunded tax cuts now and turbocharge already high consumer demand while supply chains are struggling to cope will fuel the inflation spiral, and high inflation disproportionately hits the poor.

To think the tax burden is not going to increase given the ever increasing demands on social care, pensions and NHS with a growing elderly population is an economic delusion, unless we choose to dismantle the welfare state as we know it.

The alternative is a return to austerity which would be disasterous as communities have already suffered enough through council budget cuts, pay freezes etc.

However it appears the Tories have found the "magic money tree" they accused Corbyn of conjuring. I wonder if MSM will ask these Tory contenders how they'll fund their pledges or is that restricted to Labour candidates.
 
Last edited:
topspin said:
Yes I would because I support him as he's the most competent Tory. Heads and shoulders above his peers. I hope he'll be the next PM. I imagine you probably don't want to see him reach the top for non-political reasons shall we say.
Click to expand...

His wife was claiming non-domicile status so she wouldn't have to pay tax in this country. So yes, I think I have pretty good reason for not trusting this slitherer to be leader of Britain.
 
British Bangladeshis have a closer affiliation with Indians; it’s a no brainer as to why.

Sunak might attract the Bangladeshi vote, Super Rich vote, upper-class vote, but he is far from attracting the vote of the common man.

If Sunak is PM, it’s the end of the Tories.
 
LOL at people saying Rishi is better than Javid. Javid is way more competent and holds greater sway among the real conservatives, not this 2019 batch which is really UKIP.
 
Also don't forget, this man wrote off 12billion of tax payers money on covid fraud, yet he heaped all the cost of it on the working class.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
His wife was claiming non-domicile status so she wouldn't have to pay tax in this country. So yes, I think I have pretty good reason for not trusting this slitherer to be leader of Britain.
Click to expand...

Did she break any fiscal laws? As a CFA investment professional I can tell you she didn't.

Would we do the same if we were in her shoes? Yes.

The loophole is there to be exploited. Don't hate the player, hate the game.
 
Last edited:
Manunited18 said:
Also don't forget, this man wrote off 12billion of tax payers money on covid fraud, yet he heaped all the cost of it on the working class.
Click to expand...

That’s not all, he forgot to hedge UK’s sovereign debt when he announced the Furlough scheme, which means UK is paying even more in interest payments.

Completely incompetent, fraudulent, and disastrous individual.
 
topspin said:
Did she break any fiscal laws? As a CFA investment professional I can tell you she didn't.

Would we do the same if we were in her shoes? Yes.

The loophole is there to be exploited. Don't hate the player, hate the game.
Click to expand...

Try telling that to the British working class mate. They don't watch Bollywood films every weekend to hold any afinity to Indians.
 
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