The UK has a new Prime Minister…

Today’s world news is evidently dominated by a variety of interesting and enlightening stories, expectations, theories, debates and analysis on Mr. Rishi Sunak, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer who is now the new leader of the British Conservative Party and the new British Prime Minister. Minister.

Imagine, as the leader of the largest party in the Commons, he is invited to Buckingham Palace by the King in a ceremony called “kissing hands”. Yes, a tradition dubbed “kissing hands” as if it were some sort of interesting political marriage. The king looks him in the eyes and asks him: “Mr. Sunak, do you really and honestly believe that you can form a new government? That’s a rhetorical question, Your Majesty, I can hear Mr. Sunak answering internally. You will remember that he was a key, resolute and passionate part of this leadership race, and of course the answer is yes! After all, he writes history.

He has a string of firsts and spurs to his credit. Aged 42, Mr Sunak becomes the country’s youngest leader in modern times and its third in less than two months. Not only that. Moreover, he is one of the wealthiest politicians in Westminster. Obviously, this has not been an obvious, predictable and easy political journey. He replaces Liz Truss, who only lasted 44 days before resigning and leaving the stage. Undeniably, Mr Sunak is basking in glory and the limelight as he becomes the first Prime Minister and the first British Asian to hold the post and the first Prime Minister appointed by the new King Charles 111.

Where is he when he takes power? In what economic state is his country? The world? What about the expectations and opinions of ordinary citizens? Reforms and regeneration? His views and policies? As a general rule, people should not expect major miracles, policy changes and reforms, lest disappointments and anger haunt them faster than they think.

It surely gives a sense of hope and pride to people of color and diverse beliefs around the world. Like Obama in the White House, he assumes the reins of 10 Downing Street when the United Kingdom is plagued by economic obstacles and turmoil in particular. Likewise, when Obama became the first black president of the United States, people of color were proud to see themselves in the person of color who held the highest office in the United States. Like Obama, a number of people of color, especially of Indian descent, likely place their different hopes and expectations on him. Like Obama, he becomes Prime Minister as the world faces a severe economic decline in general.

In other words, he took over during one of the most tumultuous periods in British political history. He needs to restore stability to a country that is shaking and recovering from years of political and economic turmoil. He seeks to lead a party that has fragmented along ideological lines. He is tasked with navigating a badly divided country through an economic downturn determined to leave millions cold and poor.

He is to British Indians what Obama was to Black Americans. Is it a mere coincidence? Does history repeat itself? Countless questions arise. He could bask in elation, elation and indulge now, but what awaits him is bigger, harder and heavier than the taste of pudding. It is the consumption of the pudding that is crucial. For it is the act of eating that will ultimately define his tenure and his legacy and the memories of the country and the citizens of his administration. It hasn’t been an easy road for the millionaire. He has no illusions about the colossal task that awaits him. That’s why he told his lawmakers in parliament on Monday that they faced an “existential crisis” and had to “unite or die”. He told the country it faced a “deep economic challenge”.

For example, concretely, what does his administration mean for science? James Wilsdon, science policy researcher at the University of Sheffield, UK, says: “In terms of ideology, Sunak is enthusiastic about science, innovation and technology, and his decisions in as chancellor bear witness to this”. However, Kieron Flanagan, a science and technology policy student at the University of Manchester, UK, disagrees.

“The big increases in science spending he approved when Chancellor were already on the cards under former Prime Minister Theresa May. In fact, he cut and delayed them because of the pandemic.”

What does his administration mean for international research partnerships between the UK and China? China sends large numbers of students to British universities, where they pay a premium for education and training. In a succession of tweets on July 25, as the leadership race heated up, Sunak said that if he were to win his leadership bid, he would introduce measures to “deal with China”. Doesn’t that sound like something that will or might endear him to the Chinese?

These measures include reviewing all research partnerships between the UK and China that have military applications or the potential to help China technologically, and providing more support to universities to fight espionage. suspected industrialist. This action plan could see the closure of about thirty Confucius institutes in China, these are cultural and linguistic centers attached to British universities which are financed by the Chinese government. Would China kindly accept such measures? Doesn’t the world hunger for a greater measure of human care, prudence, coordination rather than competition and conflict? When will world leaders abandon unilateralism for multilateralism? When will they keep their word?

How will Indian citizens view his administration, historically and in retrospect? In terms of trade and business? In the story, we probably learned about the era of industrialization and how Britain invested money in agriculture and industry in India. Before the colonial period, Britain bought goods like textiles and rice from Indian producers and paid for them in silver.

However, in 1765 the trading pendulum had a curious and cunning change. This was shortly after the East India Company took control of the subcontinent and established and enjoyed a monopoly over Indian trade. In fact, the East India Company started collecting taxes in India and then used some of that revenue (about a third) to finance the purchase of Indian goods for British use.

To put it simply, instead of paying for Indian goods out of pocket, British traders acquire them literally for free, since they “buy” from peasants and weavers with the funds that have just been taken from them! In 1858, they added a special dimension to the taxation and purchasing system: Indian companies were allowed to export their goods directly to other countries. The monopoly had wavered. Yet Britain ensured that payments for these goods would eventually end up in London. In this predetermined process, India is estimated to have lost around $45 trillion.

In conclusion, as a peace-loving African and a son of Matabeleland, I would like to appeal to King Charles 111 and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak not to sweep the Gukurahundi issue under the carpet, but to attach indispensable, unquestionable and deserved importance to in the interest of justice, world peace, Ubuntu and healing and helping the anguished, orphaned, persecuted, citizenless and unfortunate victims and survivors who do not even have a certificate of birth and the right to hold memorials for their deceased.

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