Is Reading Ready4Rishi? reaction as Rishi Sunak becomes PM

At around 2pm today (Monday, October 24) the Conservative party announced that Mr Sunak, the MP for Richmond would become party leader, and by extension the next Prime Minister.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to people in Broad Street, Reading, to get their reaction to the news.

There was a mixture of well-wishing, hope and scepticism with the system among people who were spoken to.

Graham White, 55, from High Wycombe, said: “I wanted Boris Johnson to come back. I don’t mind him being in power, I wanted Boris but I’d be happy with Sunak, that wouldn’t bother me.”

On the topic of whether he thought a general election is needed soon, Mr White said: “Probably, but I don’t want Labour in power.

“Labour has never worked. Socialism has never worked. It’s never worked ever in history, look at Venezuela.

“We’re in for a rough couple of years anyway. Generally, Europe and the whole world is in for a rough couple of years, because of Ukraine.”

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Chris Knight, 72, from East Reading, said:  “He’s the best of a bad bunch. I think they’re all liars, dishonest, their all in it for themselves, if Liz Truss had remained as leader I wouldn’t have voted then.

“She just messed up our economy within weeks with an ill advised budget whether she decided on it or not.

“I’m lucky, I haven’t got a mortgage so it doesn’t worry me, but for families with mortgages, its just terrible.

Chris Knight from East Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

“The idea long term of growth is good but they did it too soon, they should’ve taken baby steps. They did too much, too soon and it backfired on them.”

On the prospect of a general election, Mr Knight said: “They won’t have a general election, because they know they will lose.

“They’re not going to agree to it, they’ll hang on for two years. It would be complete suicide.”

Sat next to Mr Knight, Shamim Ahmed, 40, from Luton, liked that Mr Sunak has Indian heritage.

Mr Ahmed said: “I think he’s nice.”

Despite that, Mr Ahmed still said he would vote for Labour in a general election. He added: “I like Rishi Sunak and I like Labour.”

Jon and Tracy Sedwell, who live in the Henley constituency, were sitting in front of Marks & Spencers.

Jon and Tracy Sedwell, who live near Henley. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Mr Sedwell said: “Whoever is Prime Minister, they’ve always betrayed the British people.

“They’ve showed themselves to be an absolute disaster, so the answer is not whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing that Rishi Sunak is Prime Minister, it’s there should be a general election.”

He said the next general election should be held as soon as possible. Although he’s not sure  who he’ll vote for, he ‘certainly won’t’ vote Conservative.

Mrs Sedwell added: “I don’t think the Conservative party have done very well for Prime Ministers, have they?”

Adding that she would vote Labour.

Another couple in Broad Street were equally sceptical. The husband, who did not want to be named, said: “I just think they’re all incompetent. I don’t agree with the whole system.

“There should be MPs that represent the people their representing.

“The elites in power just run the same agenda, they don’t have the peoples interests, they have their own interests at the front and that’s it.”

However, the couple live in France, and therefore can’t vote.

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George and Marian, an elderly couple from Newcastle expressed hope for Mr Sunak.

Marian said: “I think he should do a good job. I like his personality, and I like that he has a financial background.”

Neither of them thought there should be an election any time soon.

George added: “I would like to give Rishi a chance.”

He said that both the House of Commons and the Lords need to be reformed and the democratic process streamlined.