Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: What Southampton residents think

Mr Sunak, born and raised in Southampton, won the latest Conservative leadership contest - a true South coast derby - after Portsmouth North MP, Penny Mordaunt, dropped out of the race.

The former Chancellor gathered the support of more than half of Tory MPs - becoming the first British Asian Prime Minister in the UK.

Now Mr Sunak has made it into Number 10, residents and charities alike hope the former city resident will prioritise the most vulnerable and direct some of his attention to the city he grew up in.

READ MORE: 'A money person' - Southampton reacts as Rishi Sunak becomes Prime Minister

Woolston-based group, Big Difference, which supports families, refugees and vulnerable people, has called for more support.

Volunteer Sanjay Mall (Image: Sanjay Mall)

Volunteer Sanjay Mall said: "We have noticed a rise in food prices and it is affecting a lot more families in Southampton.

"It's a nightmare for them. We are still going out giving out food parcels but we are running out of food. Something needs to be done.

"I think Rishi is a bright guy and I am hoping he will help the poor and marginalised communities."

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak's policies and what to expect from him as Prime Minister

Rawena Williams, 69, would also like Mr Sunak to help those who need it most. 

"Focus on the people that are going to need it," she said. "[Rishi] is a local guy so that’s a bit of a tick for Southampton."

Rawena Williams (Image: Newsquest)

Adam Blanchard, 43, is calling on the new Prime Minister to address issues within the NHS and dentistry at a national and local level.

"My daughter hasn’t been able to see a dentist for two years," he said. "Hopefully [he will] do something about things that are going wrong, NHS, dentistry. Cost of living is top of everyone’s list, health services, those kind of things."

Mike Kirwan, 77, said Mr Sunak is "a money person so if there’s anyone who can sort this country out is him".

However, Mike Price, 51, said he "won’t be any better than his predecessors".

"I don’t think the Tories are fit to govern. Everything that has happened with Boris Johnson constantly just goes to show they’re not fit to govern."

He has called on the new Prime Minister to tackle crime as "people don’t feel safe anymore". 

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak's Southampton childhood, education and career

Those who have known Mr Sunak since he was a child and met him again during a visit to the city in July have also shared their thoughts on the new Prime Minister. 

Avinas Patel, chairman of the Vedic Society Hindu Temple, described Mr Sunak as "young, dynamic, and capable".

Rishi Sunak at the Vedic Society Hindu Temple (Image: Vedic Society Hindu Temple)

The 68-year-old Bassett resident added: "I have known Rishi since he was a kid. My kids grew up with him.

"He has a combination of goodness and knowledge which has made him what he is today.

"All his life he has followed his heart and interests and he was destined to be the Prime Minister of this country.

"He is a down-to-earth guy and the Indian community is very proud of him."

Society President, Sanjay Chandarana, met Mr Sunak at a private event in Southampton three days before he resigned as Chancellor.

"Throughout the event, he engaged with everyone and seemed to be a very humble and highly intellectual guy.

"During the COVID lockdown, which was one of the most difficult times for the UK, he was there and introduced Eat Out to Help Out and the furlough scheme. These are some good and smart schemes.

"Right now, our country needs political and economic stability, and I think Rishi will bring that."

READ MORE: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issues statement to nation

Amarjit Singh, CEO of India Business Group, which is based in Southampton, called Mr Sunak's rise to power a "watershed moment".

"It’s historic because it shows the level of equality and diversity and tolerance in the nation," he said.

"He’s a son of Southampton, he was born locally and studied at Winchester College and his family ran a pharmacy. He has deep rooted links into the region, he understands the Solent economy as he’s visited Associated British Ports and he’s also a supporter of the Solent Freeport status which will bring tourism into the region, so I think it’s hugely exciting."

However, Eastleigh Liberal Democrats have accused the Tory party of a “stitch up” after Sunak was appointed by Conservative MPs as PM without the public being given a say.

Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Eastleigh, Liz Jarvis (Image: Newsquest)

The party tabled a Bill in Parliament calling for an election by December 1.

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Eastleigh, Liz Jarvis, said: “This Conservative Party stitch-up has left the country with another out of touch Prime Minister who nobody voted for. Rishi Sunak has shown time and time again that he doesn’t understand the challenges facing struggling families and pensioners – whether it’s paying their heating bills this winter or waiting weeks to see a GP or dentist. We didn’t vote for this.”

She accused the Tories of ‘trashing the British economy’ and pushing local health services to the brink.

She added: “People are fed up with this Conservative government taking our area for granted. It’s time give local people a say over the country’s future through a general election.”

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