Rishi Sunak becomes UK’s new prime minister

Tuesday’s headlines were dominated by the announcement that Rishi Sunak will become the UK’s next prime minister following Liz Truss’s resignation.

Front pages were generally far more optimistic than the past two weeks, with many considering Sunak’s arrival an opportunity for a fresh start. While any policies are yet to be fully announced, many opted to focus on the positive promise of his leadership, emphasising that he is both the youngest and the UK’s first Asian PM.

Sunak has previously been subject to a lot of scrutiny surrounding his wealth, often by these same papers. However, the frustration of extremely left-wing tabloids remained overtly on display, with many rejecting Sunak’s rise altogether in a clear display of increasingly obvious partisanship as the Conservative cling to power continues.

Right- or centre-right-leaning broadsheets such as the Times and Telegraph ran more grounded, realistic headlines that remained conscious of the divisions within the party, and the real discontent amongst society towards the Conservatives whether they are supporters or not.

Britain’s first Asian PM: Here comes the Sunak

Metro

Prime Ministers of 2022 – October: Rishi

Daily Star

After weeks of turmoil, Tory party fightback starts here
A new dawn for Britain: Rishi Sunak becomes our youngest modern PM – and first with an Asian heritage

Daily Mail

Our new (unelected) PM: Who VOTED for you?

Mirror

The force is with you, Rishi

The Sun

In a historic victory, new PM Rishi Sunak sets out his daunting challenges: “We must unite or die…and deliver for Britain”

Daily Express

Sunak tells Tories: Unite or die

The Times

• The Times was under no illusion that Sunak’s focus must be around bringing the party together again if the Conservatives are to have any lasting positive effect and turn things around, as he “[warned] that failure to heal rifts would ‘finish’ party”

Sunak tells Tories: we must unite or die

The Telegraph

• Interestingly, The Telegraph also ran an accompanying less optimistic commentary, titled, “It’s just like The X Factor, except no one actually voted for the winner”, addressing that Sunak won the position of prime minister without winning a general election, which many are calling for

Unite or die – Sunak’s warning to Tory MPs

The Guardian

Watch his first speech outside Downing Street below.