Chancellor Rishi Sunak resigned from the government minutes after Health Secretary Sajid Javid shared his letter of resignation to the PM on Tuesday evening. The pair's resignations came minutes after Mr Johnson gave an interview admitting and apologising, he should not have appointed MP Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip in February after allegations that the MP groped two colleagues at a social event while drunk.
In his letter to the PM, Sunak tweeted, he wrote, “In preparation for our proposed joint speech on the economy next week, it has become clear to me that our approaches are fundamentally good different. I am sad to be leaving Government, but I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we cannot continue like this.”
The Chancellor said, "The public rightly expect the government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning."
What appeared to be a coordinated move by an Indian and a Pakistani-origin Minister, has thrown the Prime Minister’s future in serious doubt. Though under current rules, Mr Johnson is safe from another leadership challenge until Summer 2023, but the executive of the 1922 Committee can reportedly change the rules whenever it wants.
The Guardian reported: “A new anti-Johnson executive is expected to be elected next week, but even the current executive – more evenly split between loyalists and critics – could act now if it felt there was a consensus in the party.”
Asian Voice speaks to Rishi Sunak
On Friday, as the world celebrated Ratha Yatra festival, Asian Voice interviewed Rishi Sunak while he was still the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Hopeful to visit India later this year, he emphasised how important the UK-India relationship is for him and how proud he is about India’s changing perception in the world as a leading nation.
During the interview organised by the Indian Journalists’ Association, Mr Sunak, ahead of his appearance at the UK India Awards, hailed his values as a British Indian, growing up in a humble family, spoke about visiting the Vedic Society Hindu Temple in Southampton- the city where he spent his childhood.
Tipped off to be UK’s next Prime Minister and the first Indian-origin one, also talked about how his family came to the UK via East Africa, and him growing up in a typical middle-class British Indian household, helping his immigrant parents to go about their daily jobs.
He said, “Like so many British-Indian families, of all faiths, we came together to serve the community. And still do. This Sunday, I’ll be at our Mandir in Southampton, where I grew up, for our family prayer day. We’ll cook and serve lunch for the whole community, just as we do every year. Because that’s the lesson I learnt from my parents. An ethic of service.
“Whether working in the shop, or delivering medicines to elderly people at home, or even just out and about in town, people would stop and thank my Mum and Dad. I found that incredibly inspiring. And ultimately that’s why I became an MP.”
Emphasising on the importance of opportunities available to all in Britain, he elaborated, “My story was only possible because lots of people came before me. And whether it was my parents or grandparents and lots of others, who broke down the barriers and endured things that I didn't have to endure, and paved the way for me and my generation, to be able to do incredible things. And that says an enormous amount about Britain's openness and tolerance and warmth, that someone like me is sitting here in the treasury.
“I’m incredibly proud of where I come from. It will always be an enormous part of who I am. And it brings me joy to live, and belong, in a country where, for all our faults, for all our challenges, someone like me can become Chancellor.
“Our task now is to make sure that’s not the end of the British-Indian story – but the beginning.”
He further added that he is looking forward to going to India later this year to not only meet family but celebrate India’s progress as a nation, that he admitted having impressed him immensely.
A relationship of equals
Mr Sunak said, “I think the perception of India is not caught up with the reality, for many people here in the UK. When I go, I do a lot of family things, but when I'm also out and about seeing businesses or seeing what's going on. India is now the country with the third highest number of tech unicorns. It's got the second highest smartphone penetration anywhere in the world, and one of the most active social media markets. So, you know, that's what modern India looks like.
“And if I think about the future relationship, one, which is based on innovation and technology, and science is important. India has moved a long way from just being a place where lower costs of labour were, to creating globally best in class companies that are providing cutting edge technology products and services to people. And that is that really impresses me whenever I'm there, seeing that pace of change. Hopefully I can go in and see what even more progress has been made, since I was last there.
“The UK-India relationship is a partnership of equals, where the brightest talent from both our countries travel back and forth to study and work, where we are close trading partners, and where we freely exchange world-class ideas and innovation.
In the same light, adding about the ongoing FTA he said, “UK and India in the process of the FTA and the plan is to be in a good point by Diwali. Whether it's someone who is now able to benefit from a new banking app, or FinTech product, which will help them access savings, or whether it's someone who now can sell health care products or travel more easily to receive the health care treatments in one or another place.
“With the Covishield vaccine, we saw the benefit of the collaboration between the two countries bringing science to the benefit of people, not just in India, in the UK, but across the world. The FTA is about more access to more products and services, ultimately, that's good for consumers, good for citizens and good for businesses and creating jobs.
“India deserves to play a significant role in the region and in the world, given its economy and its cultural influence. And there will be no greater champion of India taking on that bigger role than the UK. That is a shared ambition across government.”
Mr Sunak also pointed to reforms in the visa system to make it easier for talented Indians to come to the UK and said there are several categories now open to talented Indians, including the new High Potential Individual visa.
