Rishi Sunak: what we know so far

After an accelerated leadership content, the Conservative Party has yet another new leader, the former Chancellor, Rishi Sunak.

Thanks to the majority the Conservatives secured in the 2019 General Election, Mr Sunak now becomes the UK’s new Prime Minister.

Despite rumours of a return from a certain Boris Johnson, in the end, it is the man who he blames for securing his demise who wins the crown.

Some Christians may look at the fact Mr Sunak is a Hindu and find it concerning. But is it any worse or better than a cultural Christian like Mr Johnson?

What kind of situation is Rishi Sunak entering?

Rishi Sunak takes on the role of prime minister at a time of huge uncertainty for our nation. We’ve witnessed economic turmoil, with rising living costs and mortgages going up as well.

Inflation hit more than 10% last month, the highest it has been for decades. Interest rates have had to rise, and this means people paying more for their mortgages.

On top of that, our politics has been divided and fractious for years. The Brexit debates pushed parliament to near breaking point. Party discipline for the Tories seems a dim and distant memory – how different from the 2015 election where MP after MP repeated the slogan: ‘long term economic plan’.

Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has transformed the Labour Party into a government in waiting. Reports that he was arranging lessons for the shadow cabinet on how to govern well are no surprise and represent common sense.

So, what does Mr Sunak think on some key issues for Christians?

Looking at his voting record, it’s remarkable how often he abstained or was absent. For example, he abstained or was absent when Westminster voted to impose same-sex marriage on Northern Ireland. He was also absent (or abstained) for the 2019 vote on liberalising Northern Ireland’s abortion law. He also wasn’t there when assisted suicide legislation was voted down in 2015.

On the current transgender debates, it’s possible to pick up more of where Mr Sunak could go. When he launched his leadership bid in the summer, a source close to him was quoted in the Mail on Sunday saying he would: 'reverse recent trends to erase women via the use of clumsy, gender-neutral language’.

During a Mumsnet debate in April, he said that while trans people should be ‘respected’, it was his view that biology is fundamental.

Even today, there were reports that he would urge schools to be more careful how certain topics, like LGBTQ+ issues, are taught.

What else do we know?

On the war in Ukraine, you can expect Sunak to stick to current UK policy of supporting Ukrainian efforts to defeat the Russian invasion.

On economic matters, I wouldn’t be surprised if he keeps Jeremy Hunt as Chancellor and retains the new policies Hunt announced only last week. Don’t expect any quick tax cuts because Sunak has said he will never get taxes down in a way that puts inflation up.

He has so far stuck to the net-zero target for 2050 and wants to make the UK energy independent by 2045.

On immigration he has said he would cap the number of refugees Britain would take each year and do ‘whatever it takes’ to make the government’s controversial Rwands programme for asylum seekers work.

My other instinct is that Sunak will look to avoid the mistake Liz Truss made when she appointed a cabinet of largely loyalist ministers.

Instead, expect to see a Cabinet with individuals from the different wings of the Tory party as Mr Sunak attempts to heal party divisions.

Read 5 ways you can pray for Rishi Sunak here