Rishi Sunak’s accession to Number 10, making him the first British Indian prime minister, is being hailed as a “historic moment”.
Sunder Katwala, the director of the British Future think tank, said: “This simply would not have been possible a decade ago.”
He noted that Mr Sunak becoming prime minister will be “a source of pride to many British Asians – including many who do not share” his politics.
“We should not underestimate this important social change,” he said.
“When Sunak was born in Southampton in 1980, there had been no Asian or black MPs at all in the post-war era. There were still no black or Asian Conservative MPs when he graduated from university in 2001.
“Sunak reaching 10 Downing Street does not make Britain a perfect meritocracy. While there is more to do, this is a hopeful sign of progress against the prejudices of the past.
“National politics has set the pace and business, public services and charities should accept the challenge to reflect modern Britain too.”
Source: Sky News