OPINION: Why I’m backing Rishi Sunak to be Our Next PM
The former chancellor wants to capitalise on our ties with the Gulf states to help widen the Abraham Accords, writes Theresa Villiers MP
We live in a great country. While turbulence in the global economy means that we face difficult times ahead, I am optimistic for our future. And I believe that Rishi Sunak is the person who has the right plan to get us through the turmoil and on towards a better future.
Our new prime minister will need to get a grip of inflation as a first priority. Rishi Sunak has the determination to do that.
We are all worried about the rising cost of living. As chancellor, Rishi put in place a package of measures to help those who are struggling. He has been clear that he would deliver further direct support if he becomes Prime Minister.
As MP for Chipping Barnet, I represent a constituency which is home to a substantial Jewish community. I have campaigned against antisemitism for over two decades, raising this matter in Parliament and with the police. I will always speak up in support of the state of Israel and it is very important to me that our next prime minister does the same.
Rishi Sunak has pledged to do that. He has promised to increase government funding to combat antisemitism in Britain, including increased support for groups like the Community Security Trust.
He is rightly appalled that security guards are required outside faith schools and that there are children who face abuse when they walk to and from school. He will prioritise keeping Jewish communities safe.
Rishi is proud that the UK was the first country in the world to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of antisemitism. As a local government minister, he pushed for councils to back the definition as well. While progress has been made – in part thanks to those efforts by Rishi – there is more to be done, and I believe that he will take this issue very seriously as prime minister.
Rishi wants to capitalise on our historic relationships with Gulf states to widen the Abraham Accords.
Last week I attended an event in Finchley with Rishi where he explained that he is very worried about the situation in Iran. He spoke about his concern that the UK Government has not taken the threat posed by Iran seriously enough.
A nuclear-armed Iran would pose an existential threat to Israel and embolden Iran’s web of terrorist groups throughout the region. He said that any deal with Iran must be a tougher one [that extends the sunset clauses, lengthens the breakout period and] curtails Iran’s ballistic missile programme. The credible threat of snapback sanctions, which has so far been missing from the negotiations, should be deployed to force Iran to take the process seriously.
As he said, if we can’t get results in the negotiations, then we have to start asking whether the JCPoA is a dead end.
Iran remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism and it continues to direct its terror apparatus against Israel.
Rishi is clear that the option of proscribing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp is very much on the table.
In the last few weeks, Rishi has travelled the length and breadth of the country, meeting people from all walks of life. He knows how important it is to engage with different communities.
I am confident that if he becomes prime minister, he will make sure that the voices of Jewish communities are both heard and listened to.
That is one of the reasons why I believe that he is the best candidate to take our country forward.
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