‘Some mistakes were made’: Sunak makes dig at previous government – as he warns public of ‘difficult decisions
As Rishi Sunak arrives at Downing Street, he is heckled by a protester shouting “Rishi out”.
Stepping up to the lectern outside his new residence, he says he has accepted the King’s invitation to form a government.
He takes a solemn approach, saying the country is “facing a profound economic crisis”, the aftermath of COVID “lingers” and Putin is presenting a threat in Ukraine.
Mr Sunak pays tribute to his predecessor Liz Truss, saying she was enthusiastic to create change, but “some mistakes were made”.
He says they were not the result of “bad intentions”, but they were “mistakes nonetheless”.
“I have been made the leader of the party and your prime minister, in part, to fix them, and that work begins now,” he says.
He says he will provide economic stability – but this means “difficult decisions to come” – a hint at expected cuts.
Repeating a similar ethos to that he spoke of during the previous leadership hustings, he says he will “not leave the next generation… with debt to settle”.
“I will unite our country not with words but with action,” he says.
He also sets out the big issues on his agenda:
- Stronger NHS
- Better schools
- Safer streets
- Control of borders
- Protecting environment
- Supporting armed forces
- Levelling up
- Building economy
“I understand I have work to do to restore trust after all that has happened,” Mr Sunak says.
“All I can say is that I am not daunted.”