Rishi Sunak has said he had been elected to “fix” mistakes made by Liz Truss as he gave his first speech as prime minister.
Speaking outside Number 10, the former chancellor said “some mistakes were made” but it was a “noble aim” to want to improve growth.
“Trust is earned and I will earn yours,” the new PM said.
He reiterated his comments from yesterday, saying “Right now our country is facing a profound economic crisis” and warned that “difficult decisions” were to come.
Mr Sunak made his political comeback yesterday when he was appointed as the new Conservative Party leader unopposed, after former prime minister Boris Johnson decided not to run and Commons leader Penny Mordaunt dropped out at the last minute.
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Winning the leadership also meant he won the keys to Number 10, and earlier today he was asked by the King at Buckingham Palace to form a government before officially taking power.
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Mr Sunak replaces Ms Truss, who had seen him off during the summer-long leadership contest to take over from Mr Johnson, but became the UK’s shortest ruling prime minister after the disaster of her tax slashing mini-budget.
Earlier, after holding a cabinet meeting for the final time, Ms Truss had an audience with the King to formally offer her resignation.
In her final speech as PM, she wished Mr Sunak “every success” adding: “I know brighter days lie ahead.”