Rishi Sunak: What will the former Prime Minister do now that he's been replaced?

Rishi Sunak was the British Prime Minister from October 2022 to July 2024, he replaced Liz Truss, who had stepped down as PM after only 59 days. On July 5, 2024, Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party became the new Prime Minister after his political party won the General Elections.

As Keir Starmer settles into his new role, appointing his cabinet, Rishi Sunak gave one final speech. However, the former PM’s speech went viral and not for the reason you might think. Moreover, a common question that arises when a new PM is chosen, is what does the predecessor one do once they leave office?

Why did Rishi Sunak’s final speech go viral?

On July 5, 2024, Rishi Sunak, who once apologised for wearing popular trainers, delivered his final speech as the leader of the UK. The former Tory leader first apologised to the public ands said that he had ‘given this job my all’. He went on to explain that he’s ‘heard your anger and disappointment’ and he takes ‘responsibility for this loss’.

However, Sunak’s speech wasn't only getting attention for his choice of words. It was also being talked about due to his wife’s choice of accessories. As reported by Express, Channel 4 shared a photo of Akshata Murty, the richest woman to have ever been First Lady of the UK, who was present for the speech, with the caption ‘Taking no chances with the weather…’

Indeed, Murty was holding an umbrella during her husband’s speech, although there wasn’t a single drop of rain. The slight jab comes from when Sunak called for a general election and he got soaked due to the weather.

Moreover, GB News star Christopher Hope also joked about Murty carrying an umbrella, saying that Sunak had ‘learned his lesson’.

Rishi Sunak has learned his lesson! If the heavens open again as he speaks outside 10 Downing St, a man is ready with an umbrella.

What will Rishi Sunak do now that he is no longer PM?

Talks about what Rishi Sunak will do after leaving Number 10 Downing Street began before Keir Starmer even replaced him. It started when it was revealed that Sunak once had a US green card, as per The Independent, which he had returned once he became chancellor.

The former PM denied he had kept the green card and two years later, the story of Sunak moving to the US is one some still believe in. A couple of months prior, Sunak explained that he had no plans to move to the US as the UK was ‘home’.

Nonetheless, there are still speculations that Sunak will move to California, as he and his wife, Akshata Murty, have an apartment in Santa Monica. During the early 2000s, Rishi studied for an MBA at Stanford University in California, so he is familiar with the area.

As per The Guardian, Sunak is now a part of the opposition benches and has been re-elected as MP for Richmond and Northallerton.

Read more:

Rishi Sunak's best friend is working with him at No. 10: Who is James Forsyth?

Rishi Sunak: How much does he earn as Prime Minister of the UK?

Akshata Murty: Everything you need to know about Rishi Sunak's wife

Sources used:

Express: ‘Rishi Sunak and wife mocked by Channel 4 star after devastating General Election defeat’

The Independent: ‘What will Rishi Sunak do next after devastating election loss?’

The Guardian: ‘Rishi Sunak has no plans to move to US after election defeat, allies say’

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