Rishi Sunak proclaims he has two new jobs together with one in California
Rishi Sunak has announced he’s taking up two new jobs – including one in California.
The former Tory leader, who led the party to its worst-ever defeat last year, said he was “delighted” to take up posts at Oxford University and Stanford University’s Hoover Institute.
They are his first new posts after being kicked out of No10 in July, but he is expected to remain as backbench MP for Richmond and Northallerton in Yorkshire. He said: “Oxford and Stanford shaped my life, and I look forward to contributing to their world-class work addressing the challenges and the technological opportunities of our time.”
It is understood Mr Sunak’s new roles at Oxford Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government and Stanford are unpaid but will receive expenses from the Hoover Institute. He is not set to move to California, where he and wife Akshata Murt own a £5million luxury penthouse.
Mr Sunak studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford before earning a master of business administration degree at Stanford. He met his wife at the US university – but has previously hit back at claims he intended to move there after the general election.
During one summer holiday as PM, Mr Sunak was spotted on Santa Monica Pier where it was claimed he joined a Taylor Swift-themed Soul Cycle gym class. And after the Tories’ historic election defeat at last year’s general election, there was speculation the ex-PM would quit the Commons and escape to California.
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Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street)
But addressing the rumours at his final PMQs in October, he said: “I’m happy to confirm reports that I will now be spending more time in the greatest place where the scenery is indeed worthy of a movie set and everyone is a character. That’s right, if anyone needs me, I will be in Yorkshire.”
Mr Sunak said on Tuesday: “Both Blavatnik and Hoover do superb work on how we can rise to the economic and security challenges we face and seize the technological opportunities of our time.
“I have huge affection for both Oxford and Stanford. I was fortunate enough to study at both, they shaped my life and career, and I look forward to contributing to their world-leading research in the months and years ahead.”
Condoleezza Rice, the former US secretary of state and current director of the Hoover Institution, welcomed his appointment, saying Mr Sunak’s “extensive policy and global experience will enrich our fellowship and help to define important policies moving forward”.
She said: “The United States and the UK share a very special bond, and we look forward to the impact of his work on the many challenges facing democracies and the world in years to come.”
