- Tuesday, April 23, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
Would Rishi Sunak serve in a government headed by Liz Truss if the latter goes on to defeat him in the ongoing race for the British premier and take charge at 10 Downing next month?
The 42-year-old, who has served in the past two Conservative governments led by Theresa May and Boris Johnson, has indicated that he might not as one needs to “agree with the big things”.
The former finance minister, who quit last month, an act that triggered the collapse of the Johnson government, has told BBC Radio 2, “One thing I have reflected on quite a bit being in government, in cabinet the last few years — you really need to agree with the big things.”
Sunak could lose the race to foreign secretary Truss who has taken a considerable lead over him.
“Because it’s tough, as I found out, when you don’t and I wouldn’t want to end up in a situation like that again,” he said.
Also reacting to reports that he has been suggested as a potential health secretary if Truss forms the government, Sunak said he was not focused on “all of that” and doubted if Truss was either.
“I am not thinking about jobs for me or anyone else,” said the man of South Asian origin.
However, Sunak is still not ready to give up the fight. He has said that he is excited to keep going with his Conservative Party leadership campaign even though surveys of party voters have predicted a big lead for his opponent. As of last Thursday (18), it was reported that Truss was on 66 per cent while Sunak was on 34 per cent.
The ruling party is voting by postal ballot to choose a new party leader and prime minister after Johnson announced in July that he would step down following a series of scandals that rocked his government.
The name of the winner will be announced on September 5.
