MPs happy as Rishi takes over as leader
Scarborough residents and politicians have shared their thoughts on Rishi Sunak becoming Prime Minister.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) in Scarborough’s town centre on Tuesday morning, some members of the public said they were worried about the future of their finances, while others said they were hopeful about Mr Sunak’s leadership of the country.
Following Liz Truss’ resignation, Rishi Sunak has become the Prime Minister and been asked to form a government by King Charles III.
Scarborough resident Brian Graham described Mr Sunak as “straightforward” and “a safe pair of hands” but added that he was in favour of a general election.
Mr Graham said: “It’s all very well Boris saying only he had a mandate, but actually it was a mandate for the Conservatives to govern, so if Sunak keeps his mandate perhaps he’ll do OK.”
The MP for Scarborough and Whitby, Sir Robert Goodwill, who backed Mr Sunak in the Conservative party’s leadership election against Liz Truss, said: “I couldn’t be more pleased that Rishi is in charge. He understands the economy and he understands the British people.”
He added: “Very early on I spotted his qualities and tipped him for high office. As Rishi said in his speech – we face a lot of challenges and cannot mortgage our children’s and grandchildren’s future by borrowing more than we can afford to pay back.”
However, not everyone was this confident, including a couple from West Yorkshire who were visiting Scarborough. Both pensioners, they said that they were worried about the triple lock guarantee on pensions.
They said: “He [Mr Sunak] has put it off once and I don’t think he knows how workingclass people live, he’s beyond it. It’s all going to depend on this triple lock.”
A member of the public, who gave her name as Sharon, said: “I think he’s alright and he’ll do OK,” but she said she was not in favour of an early election because “there has been enough unrest”.
Another Scarborough resident said: “It doesn’t matter who gets in, it doesn’t make any odds, so what is the point?”
Some people also said they hoped that having a Prime Minister representing a North Yorkshire constituency, Richmond, would result in greater attention and funding for this area.
Kevin Hollinrake, the MP for Thirsk and Malton, which includes Filey, said: “Having seen first-hand his calm, competent and professional leadership in the second toughest job in politics, in my mind he is absolutely the right person to lead our country through this difficult time and restore economic and political stability and to unite the party.
“I have supported him from the outset and look forward to continuing to do so now that he has become the UK’s first Prime Minister to represent a Yorkshire constituency.”