Rishi Sunak Becomes Britain’s First Prime Minister of Color

It was a “historic moment” that “simply would not have been possible even a decade or two ago,” said Sunder Katwala of the British Future think tank, which focuses on identity and race.

“It shows that public service in the highest office in Britain can be open to those of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. This will be a source of pride to many British Asians – including many who do not share Rishi Sunak’s Conservative politics.”

Sunak is a practicing Hindu and has said his faith “gives me strength, it gives me purpose. It’s part of who I am.”

According to CBN News, Sunak has said he supports the political stance that Jerusalem is the “historic capital” of Israel. He also thinks there is a “very strong case” to move Britain’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Sunak’s parents are of Indian descent. His father, Yashvir, was born in Kenya and his mother, Usha, in Tanzania. They migrated to the UK in the 1960s.

Sunk attended Winchester College, Lincoln College, and Oxford and later earned an MBA from Stanford University as a Fulbright Scholar.

He worked for Goldman Sachs, then later at a large hedge fund. In 2015, he was elected to the House of Commons for Richmond in North Yorkshire. Sunak was later appointed Chief Secretary to the treasury and then Chancellor of the Exchequer.

He previously stood in the Conservative party leadership election to replace Prime Minister Boris Johnson but lost to Liz Truss. Truss then resigned the seat, opening the way for Sunak.

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Gareth Cattermole/Staff

Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.