Rishi Sunak in Policymakers abroad


On Abortion: Abstained or voted against all English abortion legislation

Abortion providers have warned that access to safe abortions is at risk and accused the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, of taking a "anti-abortion stance", after the minister for women, Maria Caulfield, was given responsibility for abortion services as part of her second role as a health minister. Labour analysis of the voting records showed the prime minister, chancellor, home secretary and foreign secretary have abstained or voted against all English abortion legislation since 2015.
Source: The Guardian on Foreign Influences Nov 4, 2022

On Budget & Economy: Supported $452 billion in stimulus during pandemic

During the pandemic, Sunak put in place measures worth œ400 billion ($452 billion) aimed at boosting the economy, including a generous furlough scheme, business loans and discounts on eating in restaurants. But that stimulus came at a huge cost and left the government scrambling to find savings.
Source: CNN "Final candidates" on Foreign Influences Jul 24, 2022

On Civil Rights: On trans rights, basic facts of biology remain important

As for transgender women's rights, Sunak said he "absolutely" agrees with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who states that "when it comes to distinguishing between a man and a woman, the basic facts of biology remain overwhelmingly important." Their testament was condemned by trans-rights charity Gendered Intelligence, who said their words set out to "dehumanise trans people by reducing us to our body parts and suggesting we run counter to the 'basic facts of biology".
Source: Hunger Magazine on Foreign Influences Oct 25, 2022

On Crime: 20,000 more police on the street, more people jailed

Rishi Sunak has said he wants to see more people jailed as part of a crackdown on crime, after he opened up about fearing for his children's safety. The Prime Minister told reporters: "We should charge more people and reduce crime and have them in jail." He said he remained "committed" to the Tory manifesto promise to put 20,000 more police officers on the street, and that doing so to reduce neighbourhood crime "is incredibly important to me".
Source: The Evening Standard on Foreign Influences Nov 19, 2022

On Education: Education is the best way to spread opportunity to all

My grandparents grew up with very little. Two generations on, I am privileged to be your Member of Parliament. That journey only happened because I had a great education that transformed my life.I am passionate about ensuring that everybody, no matter what their background, has access to a world-class education. It is the single best way we can spread opportunity to all, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Source: Campaign website RishiSunak.com on Foreign Influences Dec 19, 2022

On Energy & Oil: UK has a responsibility to lead climate change financing

The Sunak Government also risks diminishing their soft power status on issues such as climate change, in part due to the uncertainty over whether Mr. Sunak will attend the UN COP 27 Climate Summit in Egypt. Despite reports that the PM chose to opt-out in order to focus on domestic issues, No.10 has confirmed Mr. Sunak will attend. This initial uncertainty comes after the UK hosted COP 26 in 2021, where Mr. Sunak argued Britain has a "responsibility" to lead climate change financing.
Source: Wilson Center on Foreign Influences Nov 2, 2022

On Foreign Policy: China is the biggest long term threat to Britain

Uncertainty persists over Mr. Sunak's position on China. It is unclear whether Mr. Sunak will fulfil Liz Truss' ambition to officially list China as a threat to the UK. Doing so would align with comments made by the PM during 2022's first Conservative leadership election, where Mr. Sunak stated "China is the biggest long term threat to Britain and the world's economic and national security", alongside promising measures to ban CCP-funded Confucius Institutes in the UK.
Source: Wilson Center on Foreign Influences Nov 2, 2022

On Free Trade: Negotiating U.K.-India Free Trade Agreement

India-U.K. ties are likely to grow, given the convergence of interest between the two nations. But the U.K.-India Free Trade Agreement will be an important test of how much political capital Sunak is willing to invest in this important initiative. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already talked to Sunak and underscored "the importance of early conclusion of a comprehensive and balanced FTA".
Source: Observer Research Foundation on Foreign Influences Oct 28, 2022

On Government Reform: Will not align with EU laws as part of post-Brexit situation

The UK will not pursue any post-Brexit relationship with the EU "that relies on alignment with EU laws", Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said. It follows reports that some in government want to move towards a Swiss-style deal, with less trading friction and more migration. Switzerland can trade easily with the bloc, but must follow some EU rules.
Source: BBC "Brexit: Sunak" on Foreign Influences Nov 21, 2022

On Health Care: Community healthcare is in my blood

Community healthcare is in my blood. I grew up in a NHS household-my dad was a GP and my mum a local chemist. I know how important good quality, sustainable, hospital and GP services are.
Source: Campaign website RishiSunak.com on Foreign Influences Dec 19, 2022

On Homeland Security: Hasn't committed to 3% increase in defense budget

Sunak also faces a potential budgetary showdown over defence spending. Despite assurances from both Boris Johnson & Liz Truss that, by 2030, the UK's defence budget would rise to 2.5% and 3% respectively, Rishi Sunak has so far avoided a 3% commitment. Mr. Sunak referred to 3% as an "arbitrary target". Despite its symbolic nature, this figure carries political weight for members of Mr. Sunak's Cabinet, such as junior Defence Minister James Heappey, who threatened to quit should 3% be ditched.
Source: Wilson Center on Foreign Influences Nov 2, 2022

On Immigration: The UK has lost control of its borders

Former finance minister Rishi Sunak announced his plans to tackle illegal immigration in a nearly 5-minute video posted on Twitter, during which he said that the UK had lost control of its borders. The measures he proposes include a cap set annually by the UK parliament on "number of refugees we accept each year via safe and legal routes, amendable in the face of emergencies."
Source: CNN "Final candidates" on Foreign Influences Jul 24, 2022

On Local Issues: Farming is vital to our rural economy and communities

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. Through visiting farms and auction marts and speaking with dozens of farmers, I work especially hard to understand the issues facing the farming community today.
Source: Campaign website RishiSunak.com on Foreign Influences Dec 19, 2022

On Principles & Values: First Hindu British PM: "I am open about being a Hindu"

[As the first Hindu British Prime Minister], "I am open about being a Hindu," Sunak said. He will be the first Hindu to become British prime minister, securing the position on Diwali, the festival of lights that marks one of the most important days of the Hindu calendar. Sunak himself made history in 2020 when he lit Diwali candles outside 11 Downing Street, the official residence of the UK chancellor.
Source: CNN "Final candidates" on Foreign Influences Jul 24, 2022

On Principles & Values: Said he wanted to be a Jedi Knight when he grew up

In 2016, he told a group of schoolchildren that he originally wanted to be a Jedi Knight when he grew up. His favourite Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back.
Source: BBC "A quick guide" on Foreign Influences Oct 25, 2022

On Tax Reform: Taxes can only be lowered once inflation is under control

While he also advocated for lower taxes, he said tax could only be cut once inflation is brought under control, which could take several years. His warning over the summer that Truss' unfunded tax cuts could spark panic in the financial markets turned out to be true.
Source: CNN "Final candidates" on Foreign Influences Jul 24, 2022

On Technology: Ensuring high quality broadband is a key priority

Ensuring high quality broadband reaches every corner of the constituency is a key priority for me. It is also vital that we can reliably use our mobile phones everywhere we go. I will work with all relevant authorities, the mobile phone companies and BT to ensure this becomes a reality as soon as possible.
Source: Campaign website RishiSunak.com on Foreign Influences Dec 19, 2022

The above quotations are from Foreign Influences on United States Policy.
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Page last updated: Sep 29, 2024