After Boris Johnson withdrew from the race for the Conservative Party leadership to succeed Liz Truss, who resigned last week following an economic upheaval, Rishi Sunak is now the front-runner to become Britain’s next prime minister.
Sunak, who held the position of Chancellor under Johnson, has become the front-runner in the contest for the Tory leadership after receiving the support of around 150 conservative MPs.
Penny Mordaunt, the lone other contender, is said to have less than 30 MPs on her side.
To enter the race, a candidate must receive nominations from at least 100 MPs.
Johnson had to return quickly from his Caribbean vacation in order to enter the race to succeed Truss, who took over in September when he was forced to resign, with the support of 100 legislators.
Sunak first achieved wider recognition when, at the age of 39, he was appointed finance minister by Johnson just as the COVID-19 pandemic reached the UK and created a furlough scheme to aid millions of people through numerous lockdowns.
Sunak stated in a statement on Sunday, “I served as your chancellor, helping to steer our economy through the toughest of times.” “The difficulties we currently face are far more severe. The opportunities, though, are phenomenal if we make the right choice”.
Sunak would become the country’s first prime minister of Indian descent if elected.
