A RENEWED pledge to deliver the Conservative Party’s 2019 General Election manifesto has been welcomed by Worcester and Malvern’s MPs as Rishi Sunak took office as Prime Minister.
The former Chancellor became the first British Prime Minister from an ethnic minority background since Bejamin Disraeli in 1874 when he replaced Liz Truss at Downing Street on Tuesday (October 25) following an audience with His Majesty the King.
Both Robin Walker and Harriett Baldwin welcomed Mr Sunak’s appointment and his vow to deliver the party’s election winning plan for Government at the most recent General Election.
Mr Walker was one of the first MPs to sign Mr Sunak’s nomination papers and said the former Chancellor’s warnings during the summer leadership battle with Ms Truss of unfunded tax cuts over the need to bring inflation under control had been proven correct.
“I have long been convinced we need someone of Rishi Sunak’s calibre to lead our party and the country,” said Mr Walker.
“He has experience of some of the toughest periods of Government when he stepped in as Chancellor to create the furlough scheme which protected so many jobs and livelihoods and he is a calm and authoritative figure who listens to colleagues and understands the markets.
“Most importantly for me he is someone who has shown he understands the importance of balancing efficiency with compassion.”
“I know my constituents want to see a serious government focused on helping with the cost of living, growing our economy and protecting their jobs and livelihoods,” he added.
Mr Walker welcomed the new Prime Minister to Worcester in 2020 when the then Chancellor met workers on the factory floor at Worcester Bosch.
“He was down to earth, engaging and interested to hear what everyone had to say,” Worcester’s MP said.
“I was honoured to play a small part in his successful campaign and proud to nominate him as the first child of immigrants to become our Prime Minister.”
The Prime Minister’s plea for the Conservatives to ‘unite or die’ was heeded by Malvern’s MP Harriett Baldwin, a prominent supporter of Mr Sunak’s leadership rival Penny Mordaunt, who offered her ‘full support’.
“While I was proud to nominate Penny Mordaunt in the leadership contest, she did not make the nomination threshold.
“I am delighted to congratulate Rishi Sunak on becoming our new Party leader and thus our next Prime Minister. He has pledged to focus on delivering our 2019 manifesto, helping our NHS recover from the pandemic and standing strongly with Ukraine as it defends itself against Putin’s evil invasion.
“The parliamentary party has united behind him and we will stay united in order to deliver for our constituents.”
