First person of colour to be UK prime minister

Rishi Sunak’s become the first person of colour to serve as prime minister of the United Kingdom. Sunak, born in the UK, is of Indian descent and, at the age of 42, he's the youngest prime minister in over 200 years.

Before entering 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the PM, as the newest incumbent of the role, he addressed the people.

Rishi Sunak: "I've just been to Buckingham Palace and accepted his Majesty the King's invitation to form a government in his name. It is only right to explain why I'm standing here as your new Prime Minister. Right now, our country is facing a profound economic crisis."

As a practising Hindu, it was significant that Sunak’s confirmation as Conservative party leader came during Diwali, the festival of lights. Something visitors to one of London’s temples remarked upon.

Rachna Rao: "We're absolutely over the moon because obviously you know he's he's one of us and what's even more special about him becoming prime minister is that it's happened today on Diwali itself, which is an auspicious day. So we are all very very excited and very happy for him."

When Sunak was born, there were no Black or Asian members of parliament and even as late as 2001, when he graduated from university, there were no MPs of colour in the Conservative party, of which he's now the leader.

Niipa Patel: "I think it's a very proud and historic moment for the British Indian community to have Rishi Sunak as prime minister. It will hopefully inspire the younger generation, people of, from all ethnic backgrounds, that they are able to work hard and aspire to the highest office."

Sunak's the third person to hold the post of prime minister in 2022, after Liz Truss left office after just 50 days. He faces a host of challenges with the most immediate being the cost of living crisis.

For some celebrating Diwali, Sunak’s talents at addressing the UK’s current crisis outweigh any importance given to his Indian background.

"I don't think it, that really matters as long as we have somebody who is going to be make suring, make sure that everybody's looked after and the nation is looked after, you know, young, old, regardless of their backgrounds." Weniger anzeigen