‘Serious, realistic’: Rishi Sunak’s first speech as Prime Minister

Rishi Sunak used his first speech as prime minister to admit his predecessor Liz Truss “made some mistakes”. Part of his job, he says, is to “fix them.”

Speaking outside Room 10, who was asked by King Charles to form a government at Buckingham Palace the new PM warned that there were “Difficult decisions ahead” as he sought to put the economy on a solid footing. He also signaled the possibility reducing government spending and raising taxes after promising he would not “leave the next generation, your children and grandchildren, a debt that we are too weak to pay ourselves.”

Outlining his priorities, he listed “a stronger NHS, better schools, safer streets, controlling our borders, protecting our environment, supporting our armed forces, raising standards and building an economy that embraces the opportunities of Brexit, where businesses invest, innovate and create jobs places”.

And as a counter to the claims that his appointment means a general election he argued that the mandate won by the Conservatives in 2019 did not belong to an individual but to the entire party.

“However, this will not stop calls for a general election. And this will not stop criticism of the Conservative Party for the economy,” he said BBCNick Eardley, adding that never before has a prime minister sought to “draw the line under the reign of his predecessor” so quickly.

“Generous in Victory”

TelegraphTony Diver wrote that Sunak “did everything he could to be magnanimous in victory”.

“When the new prime minister takes office, there was no usual carnival atmosphere at the house 10. Mr. Sunak spoke without a crowd of MPs and aides behind him, and he did not smile as he waved at the camera before heading inside.

“The message was clear: difficult decisions (and budget cuts) await us. Now is not the time to celebrate. But now I’m finally in charge.”

By Liz Bates, Political Correspondent Sky Newsagreed that the lack of fanfare was a deliberate decision “to reflect the seriousness of the issues facing the country as he takes over as No 10”.

She added: “His leadership style was also clear – he will ‘work day and night’ to restore the trust of voters and put integrity at the heart of his governance.” Bates concluded that it was “a competent speech that will reassure his colleagues and convince many voters that he understands the task before him.”

Great oratory, it wasn’t

ITV News also drew attention to the lack of supporters in Downing Street to welcome the new Prime Minister. Political editor Robert Peston said Sunak “doesn’t underestimate the scale of the challenges he faces”, and he also highlighted the new prime minister’s emphasis on rebuilding confidence.

U SpectatorIn the afternoon newsletter, Isabelle Hardman wrote that “the theme of the address was to fix problems”, which was “very much to the point”.

“Given the scale of what happened and the cleanup that Sunak has to do, it’s understandable that he didn’t offer any additional promises. But it also sets up his new government not to campaign for victory, but to try to stop the situation from getting worse – for the Conservative Party and for the country,” she said.

“This speech was not remembered for a long time,” he wrote GuardianAndrei Varabei. “But the tone was welcoming (serious, realistic),” conveying a sense of “sincerity” and “politeness.”

It wasn’t great oratory, Sparrow said, “but it shows not only that Sunak is serious about unifying the party, but that he has some of the personal skills needed to do it.” he added.

The Daily Mailwho actively supported Liz Truss during the summer Tory leadership campaign, said Sunak had “plunged a knife” into his predecessor during a “grim” speech, but also sought to refute “taunts that he is too rich to identify with the struggle of ordinary people”, stressing , that he understands how difficult everything is.