Rishi Sunak, the UK’s new Prime Minister, has pledged to “protect our environment”.
This commitment he said, is at the heart of the Conservative manifesto, which he intends to deliver on.
It also includes commitments to deliver better schools; a stronger national health service (NHS); safer streets; control of UK borders; and support for armed forces.
Speaking on the steps of 10 Downing Street today (Tuesday, October 25), Sunak also recognised the state of the country’s financial outlook.
“Right now our country is facing a profound economic crisis,” he said.
“Putin’s war in Ukraine has destabilised energy markets and supply chains the world over.”
He said that his predecessor, Liz Truss, made some “mistakes” – noting they were not “borne of ill will or bad intentions” – and said that he intends to fix them.
“I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government’s agenda,” he said.
Rishi Sunak
Sunak was officially made Prime Minister after a meeting with King Charles III earlier today.
He had won the Conservatives internal party race yesterday (Monday, October 24).
The 42-year-old, who was previously chancellor of the exchequer, replaces Liz Truss, who lasted just 45 days in office.
He has been keen, in the past, to highlight his support for farmers.
On his constituency Richmond (Yorks) website he states:
“Farming is vital to our rural economy and communities. From the Upper Dales to Great Ayton, from sheep to dairy to arable, through Auction Marts at Hawes, Leyburn and Northallerton, farming touches every part of the constituency.”
Sunak has also been critical of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the past, claiming that it had done nothing to deliver for “farmers, farming and the environment”, and has encouraged farmers to “capitalise on the great opportunities ahead having left the European Union and the Common Agricultural Policy”.
To read more about his thoughts on farming, click here.
Working for rural communities
Tim Bonner, Countryside Alliance’s chief executive, has noted that Sunak is aware of the current situation in rural areas.
“As a rural MP, Rishi Sunak will know the anxieites many in the countryside face in relation to the cost-of-living crisis,” he said.
“Food security and the transition of farm support to help tackle the huge challenges of climate change and reversing biodiversity decline are also high on his government’s agenda,” the chief executive noted.
“The challenges ahead are significant and complex.
“As a rural campaigning organisation, we look forward to working with the new government to ensure the rural way of life is protected and the countryside is never just a second thought,” he said.
Sharing this sentiment, president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), Minette Batters, said:
“I am looking forward to working with Rishi Sunak on his plans to maintain and grow the nation’s food production and to ensure British farming continues to deliver for the environment, economy and food security.”
