RISHI Sunak will become Britain’s first Prime Minister (PM) of colour today (Oct 25) after he won the race to lead the Conservative Party and is probably not only the best Diwali gift for India and the Indian diaspora worldwide but probably provides much food for thought to Malaysia’s very own forthcoming 15th General Election (GE15) this Nov 19.
Well, let the spotlight fall on Sunak first as we await responses and feedback from our politicians if a similar pendatang dream can come true for Malaysia – whose political system is often said to be a mirror image of its former colonial master – ushers in the Malaysian Centennial in 35 years’ time come 2057.
One of the wealthiest politicians in Westminster, Sunak at only 42 is not only the country’s youngest leader in modern times – and its third in less than two months – his appointment is another first for Britain as he will become Britain’s first PM of Indian origin.
But breaking record and re-setting history is just not good enough for Sunak as he inherits an administration in turmoil – replacing his predecessor Liz Truss who only lasted 44 days – and having to helm one of the most turbulent eras in British political history.
His family migrated to Britain in the 1960s, a period when many people from Britain’s former colonies moved to the country to help it rebuild after World War Two.
Sunak attended Oxford University and Stanford University where he met his wife Akshata Murthy whose father is Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy, founder of outsourcing giant Infosys Ltd.
Among the many messages of support, he received “warmest congratulations” from Indian leader Narendra Modi.
In India, several political leaders across party lines, took to Twitter to congratulate Sunak, according to the Hindustan Times.
Former Union minister and veteran Congress leader P. Chidambaram said there is a lesson to be learned by India and the parties that practise majoritarianism.
“First Kamala Harris, now Rishi Sunak. The people of the US and the UK have embraced the non-majority citizens of their countries and elected them to high office in government. I think there is a lesson to learn by India and the parties that practise majoritarianism,” Chidambaram tweeted.
Congratulating Sunak, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha said “history comes full circle”.
“Today, as India celebrates Diwali in its 75th year as an independent nation, the UK gets an Indian-origin Prime Minister. History comes full circle. Congratulations, @RishiSunak and Happy Diwali!” Chadha tweeted.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Priti Gandhi tweeted: “So it’s confirmed. On Diwali day, @RishiSunak to make history as Britain’s first Indian origin, Hindu Prime Minister. Who would have imagined the tables would turn in just 75 years!!” – Oct 25, 2022
Main pic credit: Reuters
