Akshata Murty’s speech at Tory conference was a bold move that humanised Rishi Sunak
There were no big surprises in the prime minister’s speech at the Conservative Party conference; the big policy announcements had all been thoroughly leaked to the media in advance. But he did have one secret weapon – in the form of his wife, Akshata Murty.
She stepped out on stage in a bright coral suit and heels, a pop of colour against the blue backdrop – beaming across at the delegates and describing herself as “a bit of a surprise addition… and a surprise for my husband too, who has no idea what I’m going to say”.
Number 10 insist this was the case; that Mr Sunak, a man who prides himself on being across the detail of everything, had been left in the dark about the contents of her speech, which we’re told she had written herself.
Mrs Murty is not usually someone who seeks out the limelight, scalded no doubt by the row over her non-dom status and fabulous wealth as the daughter of an Indian billionaire.
Indeed, the controversy surrounding her tax status, when it was uncovered in 2022, was widely believed to have derailed her husband’s hopes of ever standing for the leadership.
She does now pay UK tax on her international earnings, but it’s an ever-present reminder of her status as one of the true global elite, and regularly weaponised by Labour at PMQs to paint her husband as impossibly detached from the reality of the cost of living crisis for ordinary working people.
Former Conservative PM turns on Sunak amid HS2 backlash – Tory conference latest
But ahead of possibly the biggest speech of her husband’s life – team Sunak decided to take a gamble that the combination of her loving personal tribute and the star power of her glamorous appearance would enhance, rather than detract from the prime minister.
She was impeccably dressed in a £612 jacket and trousers from the British brand The Fold, a favourite of the Princess of Wales.
Mr Sunak is a self-confessed geek, a technocrat whose speeches can sometimes appear robotic or patronising; after days of criticism for his “tetchy” response to questioning about the HS2 decision, he badly needed humanising, and his wife’s introduction painted a very different picture.
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Akshata Murty introduces the PM
The speech was personal and glowing with praise for her ‘best friend’ – “he is fun, he is thoughtful, he is compassionate and has an incredible zest for life”.
Watching offstage, the prime minister seemed quite emotional as Mrs Murty took us back to the early days of their meeting at university in America at the age of 24, and the challenges of long-distance relationships.
But the personal swiftly segued into the political here, as she claimed that she wasn’t attracted by his appearance, but his “deep love” for the UK and “his sincere desire to ensure that as many people as possible had the chance to have the opportunities that he was lucky enough to have”.
After a slightly wobbly start when she seemed unclear about which microphone to use, it was a confident, sweet performance, with jokes about her husband’s love of cheesy romcoms, but not Emily in Paris. Delegates in the hall seemed to lap it up, and she was mobbed on her exit almost as enthusiastically as her husband afterwards.
“Murty’s speech reinforces Sunak as a family man and shows that they are a unit with stability, something which I think many members and voters will be pleased to see,” said political communications consultant Laura Dunn. “It was a bold move.”
But it’s a highly unusual move for a British political leader. The last, and only time a prime minister has been introduced in their spouse was in 2009, when Gordon Brown’s wife Sarah memorably described her embattled husband as “my hero”.
But at the 2010 election just months later he suffered a devastating defeat. For some watching, the parallels were clear: turning to Mrs Murty was a sign of weakness, with an implication that the PM needed to borrow some of his wife’s sparkle to make up for his own lack of charisma.
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The prime minister was introduced by his wife and ‘best friend’
Denis Thatcher – Norma Major – Cherie Booth – Samantha Cameron – Philip May – Hugh O’Leary – all were happy to stay in the background.
Even media appearances have had a chequered history: Philip May gave a joint interview with The One Show which was widely criticised for Mrs May’s division of “blue jobs” and “pink jobs” and him taking the bins out (“a traditional boy job”).
But there are signs Downing Street have been moving towards a more confident public role for the PM’s wife for some time.
She made high profile appearances on his recent trip to India for the G20 – understandable perhaps, given her own citizenship, but it was seen as fairly successful. Mr Sunak said “it was lovely to have her with him” and praised her help in building relationships with other leaders and their spouses.
Last month she gave her first television interview to the Sky Kids programme, FYI, in which she described the power struggle between the family dog Nova and Larry the cat, and talked about the “range of opportunities” that she’d been exposed to since moving into Number 10.
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Akshata Murty: Larry the Cat v Sunak dog
Mrs Murty’s own parents clearly have a close working relationship and partnership; her mother, Sudha helped her husband Narayana to establish the IT firm Infosys, which made their fortune, and they continue to work together on philanthropic projects.
Sudha Murty hit the headlines earlier this year after commenting that behind every successful man there stands a woman – and boasting that while she had made her husband into a successful businessman (and one of India’s richest men) “my daughter has made her husband prime minister of the UK”.
In America, political spouses are always much more prominent, and it’s typical for candidates to be introduced by husbands or wives celebrating their personal qualities.
Read more:
There’s irony behind Sunak’s long-term vision | Beth Rigby
Sunak’s speech woes are a conference sideshow
But from Michelle Obama and Jill Biden to Hillary Clinton – the role of presidential first lady is much more political, and high profile, than the partner of the UK prime minister. Clinton of course went on to become secretary of state and to seek the presidency herself.
It doesn’t seem that that’s what Mrs Murty is after. But Number 10 say the pair have an “extremely strong partnership” and she is clearly determined to do what she can to help in his uphill battle to stay in Downing Street after the next general election.
“Gatecrashing” her husband’s speech livened up the culmination of a fractious Tory party conference and provided a new insight into what had previously been a relatively private relationship.
And while amongst political opponents the spotlight on Mrs Murty has reignited the conversation about the couple’s vast personal wealth; the gambit here is on getting general voters to look at the PM in a new light.
Going by the number of newspaper headlines her appearance has generated – it’s certainly done that.
UK
GPs can prescribe weight loss jabs on the NHS from today – but strict eligibility criteria in place
GPs will be able to prescribe weight loss jabs on the NHS from today.
About 220,000 people with the “greatest need” are set to receive Mounjaro – with strict criteria for the first year of the rollout.
Initially, only those with a body mass index of over 40 who have at least four other health problems linked to obesity will be eligible.
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Can you get pregnant when on weight loss drugs?
Some doctors have raised concerns about the additional workload this new programme will bring, while pharmacists fear it could lead to supply shortages.
While an estimated 1.5 million people are now taking weight loss drugs across the UK, they could previously only be accessed through specialist services or private prescriptions.
Dr Claire Fuller from NHS England said: “We urgently need to address rising levels of obesity and prioritise support for those who are experiencing severe ill health – and greater access to weight loss drugs will make a significant difference to the lives of those people.”
She added: “While not everyone will be eligible for weight loss drugs, it’s important that anyone who is worried about the impact of their weight on their health discusses the range of NHS support available with their healthcare professional.”
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Weight loss drugs ‘changing way we see obesity’
The chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs welcomed NHS England’s decision to pursue a phased rollout, and said current workloads must be factored in to ensure the jabs can be prescribed safely.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne went on to say: “While weight loss medications have a lot of potential benefits for patients who are struggling to lose weight and who meet all the clinical criteria for a prescription, they mustn’t be seen as a ‘silver bullet’ to aid weight loss.
“We also need to see a focus on prevention, stopping people becoming overweight in the first place so they don’t require a medical intervention later.”
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‘How I tried to get weight loss drugs’
Her remarks were echoed by the National Pharmacy Association’s chairman Olivier Picard, who says “prescribing these medications alone misses the point”.
He argued that they need to be part of a comprehensive strategy that includes lifestyle coaching, exercise and nutritional guidance – but many GPs currently “lack the bandwidth” to provide this support.
“As a result, we could end up in a situation where patients are prescribed the medication, lose weight, and then experience rebound weight gain once the course ends – simply because the foundational lifestyle changes weren’t addressed,” Mr Picard added.
Estimates suggest about 29% of the adult population is obese.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting says the government “is determined to bring revolutionary modern treatments to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford to pay”.
UK
Met Police chief ‘frustrated’ at planned protest to support Palestine Action – as government moves to ban the group
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley says he is “shocked and frustrated” at a planned protest in support of Palestine Action.
The demonstration, due to take place in Westminster later, comes as the government moves to ban the group under anti-terror laws.
Activists from Palestine Action hit the headlines last week after targeting RAF Brize Norton and damaging two military aircraft in a significant security breach.
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Why did activists target an RAF base?
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will update MPs on the move to proscribe the organisation, which would make it a criminal offence to belong to or support it.
Sir Mark said that – until this happens – the force has “no power in law” to prevent the protest from taking place, but lawbreakers will be “dealt with robustly”.
He added: “This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered.
“Members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds of criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer and last week claimed responsibility for breaking into an airbase and damaging aircraft.
“Multiple members of the group are awaiting trial accused of serious offences.”
He added that – while the right to protest is essential – “actions in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as a legitimate protest”.
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GPs can prescribe weight loss jabs from today
Starmer: Middle East stability is a ‘priority’
Trump’s golf course in Ayrshire was vandalised by Palestine Action. Pic: PA
Over the weekend, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he could not rule out the possibility of a foreign power being behind Palestine Action.
Any move to proscribe the group must be debated and approved by MPs and peers.
Speaking to Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News, former justice secretary Lord Charlie Falconer suggested that vandalising aircraft would not solely provide legal justification for such a move.
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Plans to ban activist group criticised
Lord Falconer said: “I am not aware of what Palestine Action has done beyond the painting of things on the planes in Brize Norton, they may have done other things I didn’t know.
“But generally, that sort of demonstration wouldn’t justify proscription so there must be something else that I don’t know about.”
Palestine Action has staged a series of protests in recent months – spraying the offices of Allianz Insurance in London, and vandalising Donald Trump’s golf course in Ayrshire.
Sir Keir Starmer has said stability in the Middle East is “a priority” following US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, as the world has reacted to the attack.
The prime minister also called on Iran to “return to the negotiating table” to “reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis”.
Follow latest: Iran considering ‘all options’ after US strikes
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US strikes on Iran explained
In a statement, Sir Keir said: “Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security.
“Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.
“The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority.
“We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”
The UK was not involved in the strikes but was informed about them in advance by the US, Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.
Sir Keir and Foreign Secretary David Lammy had been pushing for a diplomatic solution. On Thursday, the prime minister warned of a “real risk of escalation” in the conflict.
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Trump: Iran strikes ‘spectacular success’
The US struck three sites in Iran early on Sunday morning, with Donald Trump boasting the country’s key nuclear sites were “completely and fully obliterated” in an address to the nation from the White House and warned there could be further strikes if Iran retaliates.
Read more:
What we know so far about US strikes
What happens next is largely in Iran’s control
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‘Trump’s bold decision will change history’
Netanyahu praises Trump
Israel‘s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Mr Trump for the strikes, saying: “Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history…
“History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons.”
UN secretary-general ‘gravely alarmed’ by US attack
But UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said he was “gravely alarmed by the use of force” by the US against Iran.
“This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world.”
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European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged all sides to step back and return to the negotiating table. “Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon,” she said in a post on X.
“I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation,” she said, adding that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation tomorrow.
Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Pic: Reuters
How the world reacted to the strikes
Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on X: “We strongly condemn the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, which constitutes a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
“The aggression seriously violates the UN Charter and international law and plunges humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences.”
Venezuela’s foreign minister Yvan Gil said his country’s government “condemns US military aggression” and “demands an immediate cessation of hostilities”.
In a statement, an Australian government spokesperson said Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme “has been a threat to international peace and security”.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Isiba. Pic: Reuters
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said it is “crucial that there be a quick de-escalation of the conflict”.
Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani said after the attack that his country’s government hopes “a de-escalation can begin and Iran can sit down at the negotiating table”.
The US attack came after more than a week of strikes by Israel, which have significantly degraded Iran’s air defences and offensive missile capabilities, and damaged its nuclear enrichment facilities.
Israel’s strikes on Iran have killed at least 865 people and wounded 3,396 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The group said of those killed, 365 were civilians and 215 were security force personnel.
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