Sunak reveals ‘love bomb’ strategy to win contest
CONSERVATIVE MP and prime ministerial candidate Rishi Sunak has revealed there was “clearly something” when he met his now wife, Akshata Murty – the daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy – at a university in the US.
In an interview with the Sunday Times (7), the former chancellor opened up about his family life, saying that he and his wife were different people.
“I’m incredibly tidy, she’s very messy. I’m much more organised, she is more spontaneous,” Sunak said.
“She is not going to love me for saying this, but I’ll be honest with you, she is not big on the whole tidying thing. She is a total nightmare, clothes everywhere... and shoes... oh God, shoes,” he said.
The couple met while he was studying for an MBA at Stanford University, and got married in a two-day ceremony in the southern Indian city of Bangalore in August 2009.
Sunak, who was born in Southampton to British Indian parents, also revealed he switched classes at Stanford so he could sit next to her.
“I didn’t really need to take it, but I did it anyway so we could sit next to each other,” he said.
Sunak and Murty have two daughters – Krishna,
11, and Anoushka, nine – and he said he attended both their births and loved helping with the childcare.
“I was very lucky because when they were born, I ran my own business with others, but I was completely in control of my time and so I was very much around. I always say my parenting sweet spot is zero to three, and I was really lucky that when they were that age, I had the time to just be there a lot and do a lot. I loved every second of it. Every time I’m on the campaign trail and I see a little baby or something, my arm goes out,” Sunak said.
His family moved out of the flat above 10, Downing Street – the official residence used by the chancellor – in April, following the controversy over Murty’s legal non-domicile tax status. She later said she would pay taxes on her income from Infosys shares also in the UK to avoid the issue becoming a “distraction” for her husband.
Sunak told the newspaper they would return to Downing Street were he to win the leadership election and become the next prime minister on September 5.
“The decision was nothing to do with what had happened. It was everything to do with the fact that our eldest daughter was in her last term of primary school and was meant to be able to walk to school by herself every day,” Sunak said.
He addressed concerns among some Tory members that the couple are too wealthy to understand the concerns of many voters.
“I do think in this country we judge people by their character and their actions, not by what’s in their bank account. I am fortunate today, but I didn’t grow up like this,” he said.
“I worked really hard for what I’ve got, my family worked hard and that’s why I want to do this job.”
On the cost of living crisis due to soaring inflation, Sunak admitted people were nervous about what the future holds for the economy after forecasts of a recession from the Bank of England. He said people want to see “positive realism” in order to counter the threat of a downturn.
“I’ve got what it takes to help get the country through a challenging period and make sure we emerge stronger and together on the other side. I’ve done that already, I can do it again and people can trust me to do that,” he said.
Sunak added his plan was to “love bomb” the Conservative membership, like he did when he was selected to run for Richmond in North Yorkshire as the Tory MP in 2015.
“I am probably the underdog in this thing... but it does not feel like the polls when I’m out and about. I’m out all the time, I’m talking to people, it feels different on the ground... clearly, I’ve got work to do but I’m up for that and I’m throwing everything I’ve got at it,” he said.
Opinion polls have placed Sunak behind his rival, Liz Truss, who is the foreign secretary.