27 October 2026

Can you name the MP? Labour - East Midlands Play now

The rapid rise of Rishi Sunak

Michael Saliba

​A few years ago it’s unlikely you would’ve heard of a parliamentary under-secretary named Rishi Sunak.

But his rise through the ranks has been rapid, and he’s now seen as the most likely candidate to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister, should the time come.

But history is not on Sunak’s side. Since 1990, only Gordon Brown has made the transition from chancellor to prime minister, and he failed to win a single election.

So will we see a Rishi premiership? And if so, what could it look like?

More from politics.co.uk

Advertisement
by PLMR

Politics.co.uk Newsletters

Stay on top of the stories that matter with expert analysis.

DAILY

Politics@Lunch

WEEKLY

Week in Review

Welcome back

Email
Password
Remember me

Join Politics.co.uk

First Name
Last Name
Email
Password

Sign up to our mailing list