Rishi Sunak was spared the embarrassment of becoming the first prime minister to lose three by-elections in a day, but still lost two seats in a round of voting that came 10 months into his premiership.
The triple by-election threat, caused by a variety of departures from Tory MPs, was viewed as a test of his leadership, which has been undercut by sliding popularity ratings in the opinion polls.
Mr Sunak has based his leadership on five main policies, which he announced in January, include tackling inflation, the economy, national debt, the NHS and migrant crossings, but the pledges have had little effect on voters yet to see a sustained improvement in the government's record.
The prime minister insisted on Friday that holding on to the Uxbridge seat gave the best sense of how the general election could play out. “When people are confronted with a real choice, a choice on a matter of substance, as they have here, they vote Conservative,” he said.
“That’s what the general election is going to be about. It’s going to be about actual issues that make a difference to people. And that’s what we deliver in the Conservative Party.”
Voters went to ballot boxes a day after Mr Sunak's popularity rating sank to its lowest level since he entered 10 Downing Street in October, according to a YouGov poll published on Wednesday. His ratings dropped to -40 in July, down from -34 in late June.
Rishi Sunak's early life
Mr Sunak was born in Southampton to Hindu parents of Punjabi descent and he is the eldest of three siblings.
He read philosophy, politics and economics at Winchester College, Oxford, before moving to Stanford University to study an MBA as a Fulbright Scholar.
Mr Sunak married Akshata Murthy in 2009, holding a two-day wedding ceremony in Bangalore.
They have two daughters, Krishna and Anoushka.
Rishi Sunak's work before politics
Mr Sunak worked at investment bank Goldman Sachs, then moved into hedge fund management, later becoming a partner in the Children's Investment Fund.
He has also worked with his father-in-law, billionaire NR Narayana Murthy, as a director of Catamaran Ventures.
At age 29, Mr Sunak helped to start a private investment firm called Theleme Partners.
He has a portfolio of properties, including a large house in Kensington, a flat in central London, a manor house in Yorkshire and a property in Santa Monica, California.
Rishi Sunak through the years – in pictures
-
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces July 4 as the date for the 2024 general election at No 10 Downing Street. Here, The National looks back at his political career. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak during local election campaigning in Teesside in May 2024. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak presents cupcakes to journalists on board a plane on the way to Warsaw in April 2024. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak during a press conference in Downing Street in January after the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons. Getty Images -
Being applauded after his speech at the Conservative Party conference in October 2023. Getty Images -
Looking pensive alongside then-home secretary Suella Braverman at No 10 in October 2023. She didn't last much longer in the cabinet. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak sits in an old Special Branch police vehicle which was used to transport former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in July 2023. Getty Images -
On board Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover in June 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arriving in Japan ahead of the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt sending a message at Accrington Market Hall in January 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in November 2022. Getty Images -
King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government in October 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak makes a statement outside No 10 in October 2022 after taking office. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak arrives inside Number 10 in October 2022. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street -
Greeted by colleagues at Conservative Party HQ after having been announced winner of the leadership contest in October 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak at Westminster Hall in London following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. PA -
Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy, on the campaign trail in August 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak looks at an NLAW anti-tank launcher during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast in August 2022. Getty Images -
At a hustings event in Exeter in August 2022. Getty Images -
Celebrates England's first goal as he watches the Women's Euro 2022 final in Salisbury in July 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Ms Truss take part in the BBC Leadership debate at Victoria Hall, Hanley, in July 2022. Getty Images -
With daughters Krisna and Anoushka and wife Akshata Murthy in July 2022. Getty Images -
Opening the Great Ayton Village Fete during the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Ms Murthy speak to then-Prince Charles at a British Asian Trust event in February 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak arrives at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 when he was chancellor. Getty Images -
Holding the budget box as he departs 11 Downing Street to deliver his Autumn Budget in October 2021. Getty Images -
At a press conference on the 2021 Budget in London in March 2021. Getty Images -
With former prime minister Boris Johnson during a visit to PD Ports on the River Tees in March 2021. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak poses with the budget box at 11 Downing Street in March 2021. Getty Images -
Meeting staff back at work after being furloughed at Hamleys toy shop in London, December 2020. Photo: HM Treasury -
Mr Sunak visits the Imperial Clinic Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital, London, in November 2020. Getty Images -
Lighting a candle for Diwali on Downing Street, November 2020. Getty Images -
Working on a speech in his flat above 11 Downing Street in November 2020. Photo: HM Treasury -
Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak visit the headquarters of Octopus Energy in London in October 2020. Getty Images -
With his 'Winter Economy Plan' outside 11 Downing Street in September 2020. AFP -
Decorating a plate at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke pottery in September 2020. Getty Images -
Promoting 'eat out to help out' on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, in August 2020. Getty Images -
A member of the public takes a selfie with Rishi Sunak during a visit to Scotland in August 2020. AFP -
Visiting a Wagamama restaurant in central London in July 2020. Photo: HM Treasury -
Rishi Sunak visits a Pret A Manger in Westminster in July 2020. HM Treasury -
With Mr Johnson at his first Cabinet meeting after a reshuffle at 10 Downing Street in February 2020. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak speaks during a general election debate in Cardiff in November 2019. Getty Images
Rishi Sunak's rise in politics
Rishi Sunak became UK prime minister in October 2022, following Liz Truss's disastrous 49 days as leader of the Conservative Party.
He is the UK's first Asian prime minister and also one of the youngest – he was 42 when he assumed the role.
In his short time as leader, he has had to deal with several issues, including a cost-of-living crisis, high inflation, adapting the Northern Ireland Protocol and nationwide worker strikes, all under the shadow of an investigation into his former boss, Boris Johnson.
Mr Sunak became an MP in 2015 when he won the seat of Richmond.
Since then, he has held roles including chief secretary to the Treasury and chancellor.
What are Rishi Sunak's policies as Conservative leader?
In January, the prime minister outlined five policies he is focusing on to “build a better, more secure, more prosperous future that this country deserves”.
Mr Sunak pledged to halve inflation this year to ease cost-of-living pressures and give people financial security.
He plans to grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunities across the country.
National debt is also a priority, with Mr Sunak saying he wants to make sure it falls to secure the future of public services.
He has taken NHS waiting lists to task, saying he wants them to ensure people get the care they need more quickly.
Migrants crossing the English Channel are also a priority for Mr Sunak, who promised to pass new laws to “stop the boats” and make sure that if people come to the UK illegally, they will be detained and swiftly removed.
“I fully expect you to hold my government and I to account on delivering those goals,” Mr Sunak said when unveiling his policies.
What is Rishi Sunak's leadership style?
On his appointment as prime minister, Mr Sunak’s allies described him as “immaculate”, “calm” and “organised”.
Since becoming prime minister, Mr Sunak has held firm on his policies and has not backtracked on unpopular plans to please the public and cement his position as leader and head of the Conservative Party.
In managing high-profile incidents, such as Suella Braverman's speeding claims, he referred to his ethics adviser for guidance in an appearance of fairness while still recognising the severity of the situation.
