Rishi Sunak Speech In Full As He Admits Economy Is In ‘Crisis’ And Hints At Cuts

Rishi Sunak struck a sober tone as he became the 57th Prime Minister in British history – admitting his predecessor made mistakes and saying the UK is in a “profound economic crisis”.

In a bleak outlook Mr Sunak – who has been charged with dealing with the mess left by Liz Truss and Boris Johnson – said there would be “difficult decisions” to come.

The new Prime Minister, making his first address after being appointed by the King at Buckingham Palace this morning, promised to deliver on the party’s 2019 manifesto.

In a pointed reference to Boris Johnson, who remains a divisive figure in Tory circles, Mr Sunak said: “I will always be grateful to Boris Johnson for his incredible achievements as Prime Minister, and I treasure his warmth and generosity of spirit.

“And I know he would agree that the mandate my party earned in 2019 is not the sole property of any one individual it is a mandate that belongs to and unites all of us.

“And the heart of that mandate is our manifesto. I will deliver on its promise.”

Mr Sunak – who was announced as PM yesterday without a single vote being cast – faces growing calls to call a General Election, but yesterday made it clear he has no intention of doing so.

Referencing the chaos that has preceded him, the new Prime Minister said: “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.”

RISHI SUNAK’S SPEECH IN FULL

I have 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 am standing here as your new Prime Minister.

Right now our country is facing a profound economic crisis.

The aftermath of Covid still lingers. Putin’s war in Ukraine has destabilised energy markets and supply chains the world over.

I want to pay tribute to my predecessor Liz Truss She was not wrong to want to improve growth in this country – it is a noble aim.
And I admired her restlessness to create change.

But some mistakes were made.

Not borne of ill will or bad intentions. Quite the opposite, in fact. But mistakes nonetheless. And I have been elected as leader of my party, and your Prime Minister, in part, to fix them.

And that work begins immediately. I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government’s agenda.

This will mean difficult decisions to come.

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. Trust is earned. And I will earn yours.

I will always be grateful to Boris Johnson for his incredible achievements as Prime Minister, and I treasure his warmth and generosity of spirit.

And I know he would agree that the mandate my party earned in 2019 is not the sole property of any one individual it is a mandate that belongs to and unites all of us.

And the heart of that mandate is our manifesto. I will deliver on its promise.

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 everyday thereafter with hope.

Culled from Mirror