London: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, known for his thorough and evidence-based approach, is encountering difficulties in boosting the Conservative Party's popularity ahead of the upcoming general elections. Despite his efforts, Sunak's political instincts have been questioned, highlighting a contrast with former leaders like Tony Blair and Boris Johnson.
Sunak’s campaign, which began with the announcement of the July 4 election date, has been marred by several missteps. One notable incident involved the suspension of candidates involved in a betting scandal, a move that came a week after Labour Party leader Keir Starmer called for it. Additionally, Sunak faced backlash for leaving the 80-year D-Day commemorations in northern France early, an action seen as disrespectful to veterans and detrimental to the U.K.'s international image. Leaders such as President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron attended the event, alongside Starmer, who is currently favored to replace Sunak.
Since assuming office in October 2022, Sunak has struggled to improve the Conservative Party's standing, which has suffered due to the actions of his predecessors. Boris Johnson resigned after misleading Parliament about breaching COVID-19 lockdown rules, and Liz Truss's brief leadership saw unfunded tax cuts that destabilized financial markets.
Opinion polls indicate that the Conservatives might lose power for the first time in 14 years. Rob Ford, a political scientist at the University of Manchester, commented, "The Conservatives needed to boost Sunak's approval ratings, but his error-prone campaign has failed to make a positive impact."
Sunak’s political experience is limited, having entered Parliament in 2015. He became Prime Minister after an uncontested leadership battle, positioning himself as a stable alternative following Truss's controversial tenure. Sunak, the first leader of color and the youngest Prime Minister in over 200 years, quickly rose within the Conservative ranks, becoming Treasury chief just before the pandemic.
Sunak’s tenure as Treasury chief earned him praise for implementing a COVID-19 job retention scheme that protected millions of jobs. However, it also led to the highest tax burden since the 1940s, conflicting with his preference for low taxes and small government, inspired by former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Throughout his 20 months as Prime Minister, Sunak has faced internal divisions within the Conservative Party. Some members urge tougher immigration policies and tax cuts, while others advocate for centrist policies that historically secure electoral victories in Britain.
Sunak’s background includes a privileged education at Winchester College and Oxford University, followed by an MBA from Stanford University. His career as a hedge fund manager at Goldman Sachs in the U.S. preceded his entry into politics. Sunak is married to Akshata Murty, daughter of the billionaire founder of Indian tech giant Infosys, and they have two daughters. The couple is among the wealthiest residents of No. 10 Downing Street, with an estimated fortune of £651 million ($815 million), surpassing even King Charles III. This wealth has led to criticisms from Starmer, who argues that Sunak is out of touch with the struggles of ordinary people.
Sunak was elected to Parliament for the Conservative stronghold of Richmond in Yorkshire in 2015 and supported Brexit in the 2016 referendum. Following the unexpected victory of the "leave" campaign, Sunak's political career rapidly advanced, culminating in his current role as Prime Minister.
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