Rishi Sunak appointed prime minister of the United Kingdom by King Charles III

Image by Aaron Chown/PA

Rishi Sunak, met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace this morning to be officially appointed as the UK’s 57^th prime minister, replacing Liz Truss who resigned last week.

Sunak was welcomed at the palace by Sir Clive Alderton, principal private secretary to the king and queen consort, the monarch’s equerry, Lt Col Jonny Thompson, and Sir Edward Young, joint principal private secretary to the king, according to PA Media.

After his meeting with King Charles, Sunak went to his new residence, No 10 Downing Street, to give his first speech as the prime minister.

He began his speech by saying that he had accepted the King’s invitation to form the government and admitted that the country is dealing with an economic crisis. 

He said that Liz Truss had a “noble aim” to want economic growth for the country but things went wrong under her leadership and that he was there to “fix” the mistakes that were made. 

Admitting that he will have to make some “difficult decisions”, he went on to add, “But you saw me during Covid doing everything I could to protect people and businesses with schemes like furlough.

“There are always limits more so now than ever. But I promise you this I will bring that same compassion to the challenges we face today.

“The government I lead will not leave the next generation, your children and grandchildren, with a debt to settle that we were too weak to pay ourselves.

“I will unite our country not with words, but with action.

“I will work day in and day out to deliver for you.

“This government will have integrity, professionalism, and accountability at every level.”

He adds, “A stronger NHS, better schools, safer streets, control of our borders, protecting our environment, supporting our armed forces levelling up and building an economy that embraces the opportunities of Brexit, where businesses invest, innovate and create jobs.

“I understand how difficult this moment is.

“After the billions of pounds it cost us to combat Covid, after all the dislocation that caused in the midst of a terrible war that must be seen successfully to its conclusions, I fully appreciate how hard things are.

“And I understand too, that I have work to do to restore trust after all, that has happened.

“All I can say is that I am not daunted.

“I know the high office I have accepted and I hope to live up to its demands.

“But when the opportunity to serve comes along, you cannot question the moment, only your willingness.

“So I stand here before you ready to lead our country into the future. To put your needs above politics, to reach out and build a government that represents the very best traditions of my party.

“Together we can achieve incredible things. We will create a future worthy of the sacrifices so many have made and fill tomorrow and every day thereafter with hope. Thank you.”