JAKARTA - Rishi Sunak will be the next British prime minister after his remaining rival, Penny Moridaunt, withdrew from his candidacy, leading him to two personal records.
Sunak (42), was elected leader of the Conservative Party after winning the support of the majority of parliamentarians.
He was the only candidate left after Mordount stepped down moments before the nomination deadline.
"This decision is a historic decision and shows, once again, the diversity and talents of our party. Rishi has my full support," Moridaunt said as he admitted defeat.
Born in England on May 12, 1980 to a family of Indian descent, Sunak will be the first Hindu prime minister in the UK and youngest for more than 200 years.
His family migrated to England in the 1960s, a time when many from the former British colony arrived to help rebuild the country after the Second World War.
After graduating from Oxford University, he then continued to Stanford University, where he met his wife Akstata Murthy, whose father was Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy, founder of giant company Infosys Ltd.
Sunak, one of the richest politicians in Westminster, will be asked to form a government by King Charles III, replacing Liz Truss, who resigned last week after 45 took office.
The former 42-year-old finance minister became Britain's third prime minister in less than two months, tasked with restoring the country's stability, which has been shaken by years of political and economic turmoil.
Sunak first became national attention when, at the age of 39, he became finance minister under Johnson just as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the UK, developing a leave scheme to support millions of people through various lockdowns.
Separately, Sunder Katwala, head of the British Future race think tank, said the appointment of Sunak would not have been possible "even a decade or two ago."
"This will be a source of pride for many British Asians, including many who do not share Rishi Sunak's Conservative politics," he explained.
Two candidates for candidates who were previously said to be Sunak's competitors, Boris Johnson and Penny Moridaunt said they would fully support Sunak, after declaring his resignation from his candidacy.
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