Symbols are important, but the Tory leader’s background as a hedge fund manager rather than his race explains his politics
It is a sign of democratic progress that Britain’s next prime minister will be of Indian heritage. The Conservative party is not the natural home for many of the country’s non-white voters. Yet so many Tory MPs wanted Rishi Sunak to be their leader that he was elected unopposed. Mr Sunak will be the first prime minister of colour and the first Hindu in Downing Street. His elevation during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, will be a source of pride for many of his co-religionists – and for Britain’s political system.
The Tories have now had three female prime ministers, four non-white chancellors and Mr Sunak as prime minister. The Conservative party can with good reason claim that identity is not a bar to the highest office in the land. Labour cannot say the same. In politics, symbols are important. But images themselves are powerless. Mr Sunak, the country’s youngest prime minister in modern times, ascended to the top job without saying how he would deal with a looming recession and rocketing inflation.
