Rishi Sunak has given his first public comments in weeks after being named Britain’s next Prime Minister – and they lasted less than 90 seconds.
In an address two to three seconds shorter than Liz Truss’s resignation speech, the Tory leader vowed “stability” after a period of chaos that saw her crash the financial markets.
Despite warning her unfunded tax cuts would disrupt the economy, he paid tribute to his predecessor, who “led with dignity and grace through a time of great change”.
After telling Tories privately to “unite or die” and ruling out an early election, he said: “We now need stability and unity and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together.”
Mr Sunak is only expected to be made Prime Minister on Tuesday at the earliest after he managed a “coronation”, with rival Penny Mordaunt dropping out one minute before nominations closed.
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Despite no MPs, Tory members or members of the public voting, and no nomination numbers being confirmed, he said he had been “elected” as leader.
Many people online commented on his stilted delivery and awkward pause before and after the speech at Tory HQ in London. There is speculation that he thought he was pre-recording a video clip, rather than giving a speech that was carried live.
He also offered no questions to the media.
Here are his first public words as Tory leader in full:
“I’d like to pay tribute to Liz Truss for her dedicated public service to the country.
“She has led with dignity and grace through a time of great change and under exceptionally difficult circumstances, both at home and abroad.
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“I am humbled and honoured to have the support of my parliamentary colleagues and to be elected as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party.
“It is the greatest privilege of my life, to be able to serve the party I love and give back to the country I owe so much to.
“The United Kingdom is a great country. But there is no doubt we face a profound economic challenge.
“We now need stability and unity and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together.
“Because that is the only way we will overcome the challenges we face and build a better, more prosperous future for our children and our grandchildren.
“I pledge that I will serve you with integrity and humility – and I will work day in, day out to deliver for the British people.”