Rishi Sunak: ‘profound challenge’ faces UK's next prime minister

Rishi Sunak became the last man standing in this Conservative leadership contest.

Just before 2pm, his last rival Penny Mordaunt announced she was dropping out.

Moments later Mr Sunak was confirmed as the new Conservative leader.

Tomorrow morning, he will formally take over as prime minister after seeing the King at Buckingham Palace.

He'll face some formidable challenges - not least the cost of living crisis, energy prices and winning back the confidence of the markets.

[sukhdevjohal]

We are all so tired of the tories "delivering" for the British people

[ittakes-tango]

At this rate King Charles might even beat The Queen's record of appointing 15 Prime Ministers.

[chadimirputin]

I removed money from deprived areas and gave it to upper class areas, man of the common man so he is, extreme austerity measures incoming.

[tommyharris]

Neither the best nor the worst captain could have changed the outcome of the Titanic once the iceberg was struck.

[jimbobur]

I imagine his 'fix' will be yet more austerity and cuts to public services like the NHS.

[JJW]

Oh my god I burst out laughing at 5:35. Of course the "fan of Boris" looks like a Boris Johnson halloween decoration.

[papalazarou]

My local chippy only a couple of months ago would have 6 or 7 people outside waiting for food literally every time I drove past. I would go there about once or twice a month minimum. The last 2 nights I’ve drove past there has been not even 1 person outside waiting for their food. I’m not going back either as I can’t afford it no more. I think loads of small businesses are going to shut over the next 2-3 months. Sad times.

[lweleven]

It needs a new general election this is all ridiculous. I’m glad I’m at that age and not 20 I fear for the future of this country

[davidmcculloch]

Some expect a miracle or adult leadership from the man who wanted to direct funding to richer areas from poorer ones. The man who presided over shrinking trade and a drop in real incomes. The man reluctant to tax windfall profits while increasing National Insurance for every individual - hitting the poorest hardest. May I heartily recommend critical thought and a dose of realism, while getting ready for more austerity.

[adamsalman]

It all makes Little Britain look like a documentary

[brunoobeear]

This is absolutely criminal, we’ve now had 2 pm’s not voted in by the public.

It’s ridiculous and unjust.

[urbanimage]

Our third Tory Prime Ministers in two months - so much talent to choose from, I guess.

[richjacobs]

Wow I can't believe how fast that happened one leaves another one comes in

[TorgeSlayer]

notice how they talk about reuniting the party but little about helping the people

[titteryenot]

Instinct tells me his principle aim is not helping ordinary people in inner-cities, but rather helping *his* people in the City. The Tories are merely shuffling deckchairs while the Titanic sinks. They are as good as dead in the water. They’re going to have to rename it, ‘Drowning Street’.

[chrisedwards]

Better if they hadn't broken the economy in the first place

[mgfortytwo]

Labour “shoved all the funding into deprived urban areas” and that “needed to be undone”.

[equinox]

Watching the Rishi speech was like watching an android in a Sci-fi it malfunctioned and tried to kill you🥺

[dyskelia]

I can’t wait to hear the rundown on this guy from John Oliver

[ST-jyqm]

Happy to see a breakthrough, although his tribute to Liz Truss sends me chills and this is the start of his speech. I hope that is simply being polite, or whatever.