Rishi Sunak is photographed in his No. 10 office on his first anniversary as Prime Minister. Photo: Simon Dawson/No. 10 Downing Street
Rishi Sunak marked his first anniversary as Prime Minister by enjoying a slice of cake at his desk.
Mr Sunak has been formally appointed to the role on October 25 last year when he took over from Liz Truss, whose tenure as No 10 lasted just 49 years. days after the negative reaction to her mini-budget.
A photograph released by Downing Street on Wednesday showed Mr Sunak highlighting the document as he prepared for the day ahead, including answering questions from Sir Keir Starmer, the Labor leader, on Prime Minister's Questions.
On the edge of his desk is a piece of cake that appears to be untouched.
There is also a half-pint mug (300 ml) with an image of five interlocking red Labradors. The mug was designed by Emma Bridgewater, a ceramics company, and is currently on sale for £25 in stores including John Lewis.
Mr Sunak also suggested he could call a general election next autumn in a video on social media. describing his achievements in his first year in office.
After a montage mentioning the renegotiated Windsor Framework deal with the European Union, the Prime Minister's new approach to net zero and the publication of the NHS long-term workforce plan, in the caption says: “So what can a country achieve in 52 weeks? Watch this space.”
In an accompanying caption, Mr Sunak said: “We have achieved a lot in the year since I became Prime Minister. But rest assured, there is still a lot to be done.”
We have achieved a lot in the year since I became Prime Minister.
But rest assured, there is still a lot to be done 👇 pic.twitter.com/0i60S4RVst
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 25, 2023
It came after Greg Hands, the Conservative Party chairman, suggested Mr Sunak was the only person “intended to change” Britain and British politics.
He named his party leader as his candidate to succeed him next year. election in which the Conservatives will be vying to win a record fifth term in office.
The annual conferences of both main parties saw their leaders focus on reform, with Mr Sunak announcing several new measures, including the repeal of A -level, introducing a phased cigarette ban and cutting HS2.
Sir Keir Starmer, the Labor leader, vowed to break the “stranglehold of Tory decline” and unveiled radical planning policies in a speech that used the word “change” 17 times.
Speaking on Tuesday evening, Mr Hands said: “When Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister a year ago today, he took immediate action to support families by paying half their bills for electricity.
“Since then we have made significant progress in halving inflation, growing the economy, cutting debt, slashing NHS waiting lists and stopping boats.
“But over the last 30 years the Prime Minister admits it has been too much a lot of short-term political decisions, politicians taking the easy way out, avoiding difficult choices, instead of solving the main problems.”
< p>“The Prime Minister has proven that he is the only man determined to change this – compared to Sir Keir Starmer, who has a proven track record of taking the easy way out and changing his mind when it suits him.”
G Mr Hands acknowledged there was “still a lot to do” to deliver on Mr Sunak's five policy priorities, but said the Conservatives would “continue to take the long-term action needed to ensure we can change our country for the better.”In response, Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow treasurer general, said Mr Sunak was “simply not strong enough” to revive the country.
“Last year, a weak Rishi Sunak was driven chaotic and split the Conservative Party, allowed Liz Truss to dictate government policy and failed hopelessly to help struggling working families who are paying more on their mortgages thanks to the Tories,” he said.
“ A man of inaction, Sunak is simply not strong enough to change Britain's fortunes after 13 years of Tory decline.”
Mr Ashworth also noted that Labor had won four by-elections in as many months since the party took Selby. , Tamworth and Mid-Bedfordshire for the Conservatives, and won Rutherglen and Hamilton West for the Scottish National Party.
The Politico website's “poll” tracker shows Labor still has an average lead of around 18 points, meaning Sir Keir's party is widely expected to win the next election, due before January 2025.
< p>However, both Tory leaders and pollsters noted that public enthusiasm for Sir Keir did not match support for Sir Tony Blair in the run-up to Labour's 1997 victory.
Speaking in Manchester at the Tory conference earlier this month, Mr Sunak pointed to his recent decision to delay or weaken a number of net zero targets as evidence that his government will ” brave” and “radical.”
“We will face resistance and we will meet it,” he told activists.
“We will give the country what it so desperately needs, but what it is too often denied – a government committed to making long-term decisions so we can build a brighter future for all.”
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“Make no mistake, it is time for change, and this is us.”
< img src="/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/8ad29aca43431a731432324eb386745d.jpg" /> < p>Telegraph readers share their thoughts on the future of the Conservative Party here.
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