Content deleted Content added
m Reverted edits by 183.82.127.82 (talk) (HG) (3.4.12) |
add info, images |
||
Line 56:
{{Blockquote|text=I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government’s agenda. I will unite our country, not with words, but with action. I will work day in and day out to deliver for you. This government will have integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level. Trust is earned. And I will earn yours.}}
[[File:First Minister Nicola Sturgeon meets with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Blackpool.jpg|thumb|Sunak meets with the then-[[First Minister of Scotland]], [[Nicola Sturgeon]], in [[Blackpool]] for the [[British–Irish Council|British-Irish council]] summit, November 2022]]
On 26 October, Sunak answered his first [[Prime Minister's Questions]] (PMQs). The same day Sunak also held his first cabinet meeting.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/now-is-the-time-to-rishi-sunaks-pledge-at-his-1st-cabinet-meeting-3464257 | title = "Now Is The Time To...": Rishi Sunak's Pledge At His 1st Cabinet Meeting | work= [[NDTV]] | date = 26 October 2022 | access-date= 27 October 2022}}</ref> === Domestic affairs ===
Line 74 ⟶ 75:
In December 2022, Sunak said it was "completely unacceptable" that ordinary people were having their lives disrupted by environmental protests. He stated that police commanders had his full support "to suppress any unlawful protest".<ref>{{cite web |title=Sunak pledges more police powers to tackle 'completely unacceptable' protests |url=https://www.saffronwaldenreporter.co.uk/news/national/23164559.sunak-pledges-police-powers-tackle-completely-unacceptable-protests/ |website=Saffron Walden Reporter|date=December 2022 }}</ref> He also promised to bring in new laws to tackle illegal immigration, saying anyone who comes to the UK illegally will not be allowed to stay.<ref>{{cite web |title=In full: Rishi Sunak promises new laws to stop illegal migration and 'spurious' appeals | via=YouTube | date=13 December 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X271I4j5aHo |access-date=14 December 2022}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=February 2024}}
[[File:The Prime Minister Attends the Cenotaph Ceremony (53326662051).jpg|thumb|Sunak with [[Boris Johnson]] and [[Keir Starmer]] in November 2023]]
On 20 September 2023, Sunak announced a major rethink of the UK government's strategy to achieve [[net zero]] carbon output in the UK by 2050, including postponing banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035.<ref name="netzero2050">{{cite web |first=Sam |last=Francis |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-66871457 |title=Rishi Sunak delays petrol car ban in major shift on green policies |date=20 September 2023 |access-date=20 September 2023 |publisher=BBC News }}</ref> He justified the changes to the government's net zero strategy by saying that the UK government should not impose "unacceptable costs" of net zero policies on working families.<ref name="netzero2050"/> However, these changes were met with criticism from the opposition and business leaders.<ref name="netzero2050"/>
Line 89 ⟶ 90:
Sunak attended the [[coronation of Charles III and Camilla]] on 6 May 2023 in his capacity as Prime Minister, along with all living former prime ministers and his wife [[Akshata Murty]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Here's Everyone Who Will—and Won't—Go to King Charles III's Coronation |url=https://time.com/6270908/king-charles-coronation-guests/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412145308/https://time.com/6270908/king-charles-coronation-guests/ |archive-date=12 April 2023 |access-date=12 April 2023 |magazine=Time}}</ref> The following day, Sunak hosted a coronation lunch outside 10 Downing Street, which was attended by volunteers, Ukrainian refugees and youth groups, and U.S. First Lady [[Jill Biden]].<ref>{{cite news |date=7 May 2023 |title=Rishi Sunak hosts coronation lunch outside 10 Downing Street – video |work=The Guardian|location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2023/may/07/rishi-sunak-hosts-coronation-lunch-outside-10-downing-street-video |access-date=8 May 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
==== Immigration ====
{{see also|Modern immigration to the United Kingdom}}
In 2019 the Conservative Party and [[Boris Johnson]] pledged to reduce net migration below 250,000 per year, but Sunak said in 2023 that the priority was not to reduce legal immigration but to stop [[Illegal immigration to the United Kingdom|illegal immigration]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Rishi Sunak refuses to stick to Boris Johnson's pledge on bringing net migration below 250,000 |url=https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-sunak-refuses-to-commit-to-cutting-net-migration-to-level-set-in-2019-tory-manifesto-12883019 |work=Sky News |date=18 May 2023}}</ref> Nearly 30,000 undocumented migrants crossed the Channel in small boats to the UK in 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=UK: Nearly 30,000 migrants crossed Channel in 2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/uk-nearly-30000-migrants-crossed-channel-in-2023/a-67871435 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=1 February 2024}}</ref> Long-term [[Modern immigration to the United Kingdom|net migration to the United Kingdom]] (the number of people immigrating minus the number emigrating) reached a record high of 764,000 in 2022,<ref>{{cite news |title=UK Migration Data Leave Sunak Under Pressure on Key Pledge |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-23/migration-to-uk-falls-from-record-in-election-boost-for-sunak |work=Bloomberg |date=23 May 2024}}</ref> with legal immigration at 1.26 million and emigration at 493,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Net migration drops to 685,000 after hitting record levels, as even more arrived in UK last year than previously thought |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/net-migration-drops-to-685-000/ |date=23 May 2024 |work=[[LBC]]}}</ref> Of the 1,218,000 legal migrants coming to the UK in 2023, only 10% were EU Nationals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Migration: How many people come to the UK and how are the salary rules changing? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48785695 |work=BBC News |date=23 May 2024}}</ref>
====Education====
Line 154 ⟶ 159:
====Israel–Hamas war====
{{Main|United Kingdom and the Israel–Hamas war}}
[[File:The Prime Minister
▲[[File:Prime Minister Sunak met with Prime Minister Netanyahu at 10 Downing Street in 2023.jpg|thumb|Sunak with the Prime Minister of Israel [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] in March 2023]]
After the [[7 October attacks]] which began the [[Israel–Hamas war]], Sunak pledged the UK's support for Israel and declared that Israel "has an absolute right to defend itself".<ref name=":8">{{cite news |title=Rishi Sunak says Israel has an 'absolute right to defend itself' against Hamas attack |url=https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-sunak-says-israel-has-an-absolute-right-to-defend-itself-against-hamas-attack-12979101 |access-date=7 October 2023 |publisher=Sky News |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007195903/https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-sunak-says-israel-has-an-absolute-right-to-defend-itself-against-hamas-attack-12979101 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sunak backed calls for humanitarian pauses to allow for aid to be brought into the Gaza Strip during the [[Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip (2023–present)|Gaza conflict]], although he initially rejected calls for a full ceasefire as he argued that this would only benefit Hamas.<ref name=":9">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67218948|title=Rishi Sunak backs calls for humanitarian pauses in Israel-Hamas war|publisher=BBC News|date=25 October 2023|access-date=19 December 2023}}</ref> However, Sunak later condemned the high number of civilian casualties during the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and called for a "sustainable ceasefire" in which all Israeli hostages are returned to Israel, attacks against Israel cease and humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza.<ref name=":10">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/rishi-sunak-israel-gaza-ben-wallace-b2465937.html|title=Rishi Sunak piles pressure on Israel as he calls for Gaza ceasefire: 'Too many civilians have died'|work=The Independent|location=London|date=19 December 2023|access-date=19 December 2023}}</ref> His government supports the [[two-state solution]] as a resolution to the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/rishi-sunak-calls-for-middle-east-peace-process-to-be-reinvigorated-amid-israel-hamas-conflict-2691449|title=Rishi Sunak calls for Middle East peace process and two-state solution amid Israel-Hamas war|website=inews|date=16 October 2023|first=Jane|last=Merrick}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/rishi-sunak-israel-palestine-gaza-b2464002.html|title=Rishi Sunak backs two-state solution after Israeli ambassador says 'absolute no' to plan|website=The Independent|location=London|last=Forrest|first=Adam|date=14 December 2023}}</ref>
Since the outbreak of the war, Sunak's government pledged millions of pounds in humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza strip<ref name=":11">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-20m-in-humanitarian-aid-doubles-uk-support-to-palestinian-civilians|title=Extra £20 million in humanitarian aid doubles UK support to Palestinian civilians|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|date=23 October 2023|access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref> and pushed for the opening of the [[Rafah Border Crossing]] to allow for the evacuation of British nationals and the provision of aid to civilians.<ref name=":13">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/prime-minister-abdel-fattah-elsisi-rishi-sunak-middle-east-gaza-b2433350.html|title=Rafah border crossing to reopen 'imminently' as Sunak meets Middle East leaders|work=The Independent|location=London|date=20 October 2023|access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref> Sunak also deployed [[Royal Navy]] and [[Royal Air Force]] assets to patrol the eastern [[Mediterranean Sea]] with the stated purpose of supporting humanitarian efforts and monitoring threats to regional security.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-deploys-uk-military-to-eastern-mediterranean-to-support-israel|title=Prime Minister deploys UK military to Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|date=13 October 2023|access-date=1 January 2024}}</ref> Sunak's administration has implemented sanctions against leading figures in Hamas and [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]], including Hamas co-founder [[Mahmoud al-Zahar]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/hamas-gaza-david-cameron-royal-navy-foreign-secretary-b1126739.html|title=UK announces fresh Hamas sanctions as Sunak hints at Royal Navy role in Gaza aid|website=Evening Standard|location=London|date=13 December 2023|first=Patrick|last=Daly}}</ref> as well as imposing travel bans against Israeli settlers involved in violent activities in the [[West Bank]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aol.co.uk/news/uk-bans-travel-extremist-israeli-123227257.html|website=AOL|title=UK bans travel by 'extremist' Israeli settlers accused of West Bank violence|date=14 December 2023|first=Jitendra|last=Joshi}}</ref>
[[File:The Prime Minister arrives in Saudi Arabia (53270521280).jpg|thumb|Sunak with Saudi Crown Prince [[Mohammed bin Salman]] in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 19 October 2023]]
[[File:The Prime Minister arrives in Egypt (53270852267).jpg|thumb|Sunak with Egyptian President [[Abdel Fattah El-Sisi]] in Cairo, Egypt, 20 October 2023]]
Sunak reaffirmed his support for humanitarian pauses and an eventual ceasefire in the war in Gaza ahead of a debate on the subject on 21 February 2024, but argued that an immediate ceasefire would not be successful and would not be in anyone's interest.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-68358529|title=Calling for Gaza ceasefire now 'not in anyone's interest' – Sunak|publisher=BBC News|date=21 February 2024|access-date=25 February 2024}}</ref> The following day, the [[Scottish National Party]] tabled an [[opposition day]] amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire. Sunak's government tabled an amendment supporting an eventual ceasefire while emphasizing its support for Israel's right to self-defence and opposition to Hamas.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-the-lindsay-hoyle-gaza-ceasefire-vote-row-between-snp-conservatives-and-labour-explained|title=The Lindsay Hoyle Gaza ceasefire vote row between SNP, Conservatives and Labour explained|publisher=Channel 4|date=21 February 2024 }}</ref> However, in a break with Parliamentary convention, Speaker of the House [[Lindsay Hoyle]] chose to select a non-binding Labour Party amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire to be voted on first, which led to the government withdrawing its amendment and the Labour amendment being passed without a vote taking place.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bolot |first=Alex |date=21 February 2024 |title=Wednesday evening news briefing: Tory MP tables motion of no confidence in Hoyle over handling of Gaza debate |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/21/wednesday-evening-news-briefing-tory-mp-no-confidence-gaza/ |access-date=25 February 2024 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=25 February 2024 |title=SNP and Tories 'look to oust Lindsay Hoyle as Speaker' amid Gaza motion anger |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/24134701.snp-tories-look-oust-lindsay-hoyle-speaker/ |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=The National }}</ref> Amidst the ensuing controversy, Sunak described Hoyle's actions as "very concerning" but did not support calls from within the Conservative Party for the Speaker to be ousted.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/02/22/rishi-sunak-lee-anderson-lindsay-hoyle-gaza-vote-labour/|title=Sunak criticises Hoyle's 'very concerning' actions over Gaza vote|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=22 February 2024|access-date=25 February 2024}}</ref>
Line 172 ⟶ 178:
{{Main|Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill}}
Sunak experienced a minor rebellion in the House of Commons on 10 January over the [[Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill]], a bill that would prevent publicly funded bodies from imposing their own boycotts against a particular international territory without the backing of the government.<ref name="Brown">{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/ban-on-public-bodies-boycotting-israel-passes-in-commons-despite-tory-rebellion-13045732 |title=Ban on public bodies boycotting Israel passes in Commons despite Tory rebellion|publisher=Sky News|first=Faye|last=Brown|date=10 January 2024|access-date=23 January 2024}}</ref> The bill, which was introduced by communities secretary [[Michael Gove]] the previous year, was widely seen as intended to prevent councils from imposing sanctions on [[Israel]] amidst widespread outrage over [[War crimes in the Israel–Hamas war#By the Israeli government|accusations of war crimes]] in the ongoing war against Hamas,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/19/michael-gove-bill-ban-public-bodies-boycotting-israel|title=Gove to bring bill banning public bodies from boycotting Israel next week|work=The Guardian|location=London|first=Kiran|last=Stacey|date=19 October 2023|access-date=23 January 2024}}</ref> with many terming it the "anti-[[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|BDS]] bill".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newarab.com/news/uk-anti-bds-bill-passes-third-reading-following-vote|title=UK 'anti-BDS' bill passes third reading following parliamentary vote|work=The New Arab|date=10 January 2024|access-date=23 January 2024}}</ref> The bill was widely criticised for measures termed as "draconian" by critics which included making it illegal for members of public bodies to say they would support a boycott if it were legal.<ref name="Brown" /> Eight Conservative MPs rebelled to vote against the bill, but the majority voted within the party line and the bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/british-mps-back-bill-ban-israel-boycotts/|title=British MPs back bill banning Israel boycotts|work=Politico|date=10 January 2024 }}</ref> The bill was later abandoned after the government ran out of time to introduce it to the House of Lords before the 2024 election.<ref name=Whannel/>
====Yemen====
| |||