While the news of the first Person of Color moving into Downing Street is still making waves through the Globe, the real test in front of the newly appointed Prime Minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak, is much larger than his journey to No.10. He is tasked with picking up a reeling nation after Truss’ disastrous tenure that lasted seven weeks. Rishi, having served as the Finance Minister in Borris Johnson’s administration, succeeded in predicting the fallacies in Truss’ Economic Plan for the UK. At this juncture, Rishi is not only picking up after Liz Truss’ ‘mini-budget’ failure but a whirlwind of events, including controversies surrounding Brexit. He also comes bearing the baggage of a party riddled with factionalism and split loyalties.
The Northern Ireland Protocol
One of the first challenges in front of Sunak is navigating through the Northern Ireland Protocol, which has been a source of tension since it came to force in 2021, so much so that the disagreements between the UK and EU have disrupted the functioning of the Northern Ireland Assembly. However, the ideal move would be to delegate the NI Protocol and concentrate on restoring the British Economy. One of Sunak’s primary plus moves was retaining familiar faces of the NI Protocol, including Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and Minister of State Steve Baker in their posts. This familiarity may help in negotiating better terms with the EU, especially when the International community has been keenly observing the United Kingdom’s recent economic trouble. However, Rishi is a Brexiteer at the end of the day. His enthusiasm for Brexit may result in pushing for the press ahead with the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill (NIPB). However, Sunak cannot forget UK’s International Treaty Obligations. The need for this adherence comes at a crucial time, as the United Kingdom has played a pivotal role in leading negotiations surrounding the Russian-Ukraine Conflict. Russia and its allies would be ready to call out the hypocrisy if the UK fails to respect its international obligations, especially considering its troubled history in the region.
Handling the Great British Economy
Rishi’s approach to the economy has already been welcomed by investors, with the pound ticking up to the US Dollar and bond yields have dropped substantially, bringing down the government’s borrowing costs. Rishi had previously led the nation through the pandemic and has the confidence of the party when it comes to his financial soundness. Nevertheless, this economic turmoil is unprecedented, with many economists suggesting that the economy is already in recession. At the same time, the new policies mirror patterns of spending cuts that may lead to an economic slowdown. At the same time, the health infrastructure is strained, and essential workers are worn out from the pandemic and are demanding better pay grades. While Rishi agreed with Truss on lowering taxes, he advocated that this is only possible after tackling inflation.
Cop27
Rishi Sunak has decided to sit out on this year’s UN Climate Change Conference. While climate change may be the last of his concern amidst the financial turmoil, missing the conference that he attended last year as the Chancellor reveals his short-term vision for the UK. The unfolding climate catastrophe (one for which the UK is equally to thank) must be a priority for the United Kingdom. This decision comes after the European Commission expressed its interest in working with the UK on climate change, especially since the UK Government was quick to criticise Russians for the environmental impact of the war in Ukraine
The international community is eager to witness how Rishi Sunak navigates his new role as the youngest Prime Minister in the UK in over 200 years. The only way forward for Rishi is to bring economic stability to the United Kingdom and, along with it, political stability. While internal disputes within the Conservative Party need to be managed, the new PM must not waver in prioritizing the economy. With popular support for the Labour Party at an all-time high since the 2019 elections, handling the economic situation must be the mandate. The future of Britain seems to be resting in the hands of a colored man. While the irony is celebrated around the world, Rishi has little time to celebrate the historical relevance of his ascent. The Brit needs to show his talent by stabilizing the economy, restoring the Tories and honouring international obligations.
By The European Institute for International Law and International Relations.
