today at six: the new conservative leader is rishi sunak —— he'll be the youngest british prime ministerfor 200 years. cheering and applause. minutes after being elected by conservative mps, he ruled out an early general election, and warned his party they had to �*unite or die�*. we now need stability and unity, and i will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together. his our country together. last remaining challenger — penny mordaunt — had left the race a few minutes before the official announcement was made. we have received one valid nomination. and rishi sunak is therefore elected leader of the conservative party.

politics comes at us rather fast these days, doesn't it? this autumn's second new prime minister inherits a nightmarish soup of political and economic gloom. his task starts now. we'll have more from chris in this extended edition of bbc news at six, as we consider the prospects for a sunak premiership. at westminster, the main opposition parties are united on the need for a general election so that millions of voters can have their say.— election so that millions of voters can have their say. labour thinks we should be having _ can have their say. labour thinks we should be having a _ can have their say. labour thinks we should be having a general- can have their say. labour thinks we should be having a general election. i think everyone i've spoken to in the public has said we should be having a general election. there is no mandate now. he having a general election. there is no mandate now.— having a general election. there is no mandate now. he should call an early general _ no mandate now. he should call an early general election. _ no mandate now. he should call an early general election. he - no mandate now. he should call an early general election. he is - no mandate now. he should call an early general election. he is the i early general election. he is the second — early general election. he is the second person in a row to be appointed as prime minister by tories, — appointed as prime minister by tories, not elected by the population. mr

tories, not elected by the pepulation-_ tories, not elected by the --oulation. ~ ,, ., , .,, population. mr sunak's rapid advances _ population. mr sunak's rapid advances a _ population. mr sunak's rapid advances a significant - population. mr sunak's rapid l advances a significant moment population. mr sunak's rapid - advances a significant moment for politics, and he is the first british asian to become prime minister. and we will ask voters deeply concerned about the rising cost of living for their thoughts on the new prime minister. what do you want right now? a government we can trust, a government we can depend on, a government we can depend on, a government that's going to get things right and not going to screw us over. stay with us for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondents in the uk and around the world. good evening. the new leader of the conservative party is rishi sunak, who's expected to be confirmed as britain's new prime minister sometime tomorow. mr sunak is the first british asian to head the uk government

and, at 42, he'll be the youngest prime minister in more than a century. mr sunak's victory was confirmed this afternoon when his last remaining challenger, penny mordaunt, dropped out of the race just a few minutes before the nominations closed. mr sunak will succeed liz truss just seven weeks after she defeated him in the previous contest. he takes office at a time of deep economic trouble, and with labour, the snp, and the liberal democrats all demanding an immediate general election so that voters can have their say. first, let'sjoin our political editor chris mason at westminster. as you say, it was just seven weeks ago today that liz truss was elected conservative leader. she became prime minister a day later. today, 49 days on, rishi sunak is elected conservative leader. we expect he

will become prime minister tomorrow. this is politics on fast forward. it's only four days ago that liz truss resigned. and now more change beckons. today's new conservative leader, this week's new prime minister. rishi sunak arrived at conservative party headquarters this afternoon his party's third leader this year. waves, smiles and handshakes done, he wanted to talk to the country but didn't want to face questions from reporters. i would like to pay tribute to liz truss for her dedicated public service to the country. she has led with dignity and grace for a time of great change, and under exceptionally difficult circumstances, both at home and abroad. it is the greatest privilege

of my life to be able to serve the party i love and give back to the country i know so much to. the united kingdom is a great country, but there is no doubt, we face a profound economic challenge. we now need stability and unity, and i will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together. i pledge that i will serve you with integrity and humility, and i will work day in, day out to deliver for the british people. mi work day in, day out to deliver for the british people.— work day in, day out to deliver for the british people. all weekend and into this morning, _ the british people. all weekend and into this morning, this _ the british people. all weekend and into this morning, this woman, - the british people. all weekend and l into this morning, this woman, penny mordaunt, wanted to stand as well. she had until two o'clock this afternoon to find 100 supporters. just after 1pm, they reckoned they were just a few short, but with minutes to go, one of her biggest

backers was having second thoughts. here we are at 1:30pm, half an hour to go, and penny mordaunt�*s campaign, grappling for every possible vote, and you have fled the ship? i possible vote, and you have fled the shi - ? ~ , possible vote, and you have fled the shi . 7 ~ , ' z: z: possible vote, and you have fled the shi-? ~' hi: i: ., , ship? i think there is 100 others, and i understand _ ship? i think there is 100 others, and i understand the _ ship? i think there is 100 others, and i understand the legitimacy i ship? i think there is 100 others, l and i understand the legitimacy of arguing that the party membership should have the same. it's a difficult call, but i think, in the circumstances, where division in the conservative party costs money, it increases the price of money, puts interest rates up, the statesman—like thing to do, i think, is to get together, and rishi and penny can work together, and i think, why not do it now rather than wait three days? halli think, why not do it now rather than wait three days?— wait three days? half an hour later, a statement — wait three days? half an hour later, a statement imminent, _ wait three days? half an hour later, a statement imminent, and - wait three days? half an hour later, a statement imminent, and a - a statement imminent, and a statement from penny mordaunt. 0ur party is its membership, where that we are elected representatives, activists or supporters, we all have activists or supporters, we all have a stake in who our leader is. these

are unprecedented times. despite the compressed timetable for the leadership contest, it is clear that colleagues feel we need certainty today. i have taken this decision in good faith, for the good of the country. rishi has my full support. and she added, we all owe it to the country, to each other and to rishi to unite and work together for the good of the nation. there is much work to be done. and a few minutes after that, confirmation of another new prime minister. i after that, confirmation of another new prime minister.— new prime minister. i can confirm that we have _ new prime minister. i can confirm that we have received _ new prime minister. i can confirm that we have received one - new prime minister. i can confirm that we have received one valid . that we have received one valid nomination. i that we have received one valid nomination-— that we have received one valid nomination. �* ., ., ., ., ~ nomination. i wasn't allowed to talk to ou nomination. i wasn't allowed to talk to you from — nomination. i wasn't allowed to talk to you from inside _ nomination. i wasn't allowed to talk to you from inside the _ to you from inside the results room, but i was watching downstairs as it happened. rishi sunak is therefore elected as leader of the conservative party. cheering and applause it's quite astonishing that the guy who was defeated by the current prime minister is replacing her a matter of weeks after she took

office. the conservatives' rivals say it's time for a general election. say it's time for a general election-— say it's time for a general election. , ~ , election. they can't 'ust keep dolin: election. they can't 'ust keep doling out i election. they can't 'ust keep doling out prime _ election. they can'tjust keep doling out prime ministers i election. they can'tjust keep i doling out prime ministers every month because they are in total chaos and they've lost control of the market and haven't got any ideas of how they are going to tackle the cost of living that people are facing. cost of living that people are facina. , , . ., cost of living that people are facina. , , , ., facing. he is the second person in a row to be appointed _ facing. he is the second person in a row to be appointed as _ facing. he is the second person in a row to be appointed as prime - row to be appointed as prime minister_ row to be appointed as prime minister by tories, not elected by the population. the idea that he can io the population. the idea that he can do two _ the population. the idea that he can go two years before seeking or winning — go two years before seeking or winning a — go two years before seeking or winning a democratic mandate i think is winning a democratic mandate i think must— winning a democratic mandate i think isjust unthinkable.— isjust unthinkable. people are sick and tired of— isjust unthinkable. people are sick and tired of this _ isjust unthinkable. people are sick and tired of this conservative - and tired of this conservative chaos, — and tired of this conservative chaos, and _ and tired of this conservative chaos, and that's _ and tired of this conservative chaos, and that's why- and tired of this conservative chaos, and that's why the - and tired of this conservative - chaos, and that's why the liberal democrats — chaos, and that's why the liberal democrats are _ chaos, and that's why the liberal democrats are calling _ chaos, and that's why the liberal democrats are calling for - chaos, and that's why the liberal democrats are calling for a - chaos, and that's why the liberal. democrats are calling for a general eiection— democrats are calling for a general election to — democrats are calling for a general election to be _ democrats are calling for a general election to be called _ democrats are calling for a general election to be called right- democrats are calling for a general election to be called right now. - election to be called right now. this building _ election to be called right now. this building has _ election to be called right now. this building has seen - election to be called right now. this building has seen much i election to be called right now. i this building has seen much down election to be called right now. - this building has seen much down the centuries, the generations, and rather a bit injust centuries, the generations, and rather a bit in just the last few weeks, posing some sharp questions for those who govern us. what do you say to our viewer who comes to the reasonable minded conclusion that it has been a complete shambles? m0

has been a complete shambles? no one, has been a complete shambles? in? one, no one would want to see what we've seen over the last few months. it's been difficult, it's been painful. i've been dealing with my international counterparts. with all the challenges going on around the globe. and of course what they want is the uk government, britain to once again be the rock of stability. but they are laughing at us. what's auoin on, but they are laughing at us. what's going on. no _ but they are laughing at us. what's going on. no one — but they are laughing at us. what's going on, no one will— but they are laughing at us. what's going on, no one will defend i but they are laughing at us. what's going on, no one will defend whatl going on, no one will defend what has gone on over the last few months. it has been painful and brutal but now it comes to an end. autumn's second new prime minister, the third to call this place home this year. the era of rishi sunak, for however long it lasts, beckons. chris, can we start by asking a bit about the race? of course, it came to that conclusion today. the manner of the victory — how would you describe it? its

of the victory - how would you describe it?— describe it? its extraordinary olitical describe it? its extraordinary political reincarnation i describe it? its extraordinary political reincarnation for i describe it? its extraordinary l political reincarnation for rishi sunak. a matter of weeks ago, the man defeated, considering what his future might look like, jetting off to a beach to recuperate after a bruising and losing campaign, and yet here he is a matter of weeks later, about to prepare to move into 10 downing street after an unconventional race to become the most powerful politician in the land. why unconventional? it has been rattled off in a matter ofjust four days, pretty much entirely behind closed doors. all we've seen or heard from rishi sunak was a statement on social media the other day saying he was having a tilt at the top job and then that statement delivered to camera this afternoon, without reporters being able to ask him any questions at all about exactly how he might choose to govern. so, he inherits the mantle of office at a tremendously difficult time and will face big questions about how he's going to approach it. b5 questions about how he's going to approach it—

approach it. as you say, the only thin we approach it. as you say, the only thing we have — approach it. as you say, the only thing we have to _ approach it. as you say, the only thing we have to go _ approach it. as you say, the only thing we have to go on _ approach it. as you say, the only thing we have to go on today i approach it. as you say, the only thing we have to go on today is l approach it. as you say, the only i thing we have to go on today is that rather terse statement in some ways which he delivered earlier. what clues were there about what he intends to do?— clues were there about what he intends to do? well, he said he would govern — intends to do? well, he said he would govern with _ intends to do? well, he said he would govern with humility, i intends to do? well, he said he i would govern with humility, which sounded like a little pop at his most immediate predecessor, and there was a bit of a pop at boris johnson in there as well, in the coded language he chose. what we have to do is look at his agenda from the summer, when he was campaigning against liz truss for the leadership, to get some sense of how he might govern, and then he was all about economic stability. he felt that liz truss's programme for government would be a disaster, and he will be able to point out some vindication for that view, but how does he approach the challenges of the now? i think probably where jeremy hunt the chancellor has been is likely broadly where he will be economically, but it is not guaranteed he will keep mr hunt in that post, without economic statement expected just a week

today. then crucially what will be his instincts as far government is concerned, with the expectation there will be squeeze is on plenty of government departments? he will face some monumentally difficult decisions, and they will confront him from day one.— decisions, and they will confront him from day one. chris, for now, thanks. him from day one. chris, for now, thanks- we _ him from day one. chris, for now, thanks. we will _ him from day one. chris, for now, thanks. we will come _ him from day one. chris, for now, thanks. we will come back- him from day one. chris, for now, thanks. we will come back in i him from day one. chris, for now, thanks. we will come back in a i thanks. we will come back in a while to talk about those demands today for a general election. as chris mentioned, one of the remarkable things about mr sunak is his rapid rise at westminster. he's been a member of parliament forjust seven years. he was elected by the voters of richmond in yorkshire in 2015. and he's the youngest prime minister of modern times. 0ur deputy political editor vicki young has more on the sunak story. addressing the nation during a pandemic a after becoming chancellor. rishi sunak was the face of the government's economic response during this national crisis. to all those at home right now anxious about the days ahead, i say this. you will not face this alone.

the furlough scheme paid 80% of millions of people's salaries for months and cost billions. hello! he also masterminded the eat out to help 0ut scheme, encouraging diners back to restaurants when they reopened. i have worked with rishi for some time and i would say everyone knows he is smart and competent but he is also incredibly dedicated, really hard—working and just a really kind person. i saw how much effort he put into coming up with things like the furlough, coming up with all of those packages for support for business and i think everyone has seen that. big boots to fill. all of that came just five years after he was elected as the conservative mp for richmond in north yorkshire. his parents of indian descent came to the uk from east africa. he has spoken about the sacrifices they made to send him to winchester college, a top private school. after oxford university, a career in banking and his marriage to the daughter of a billionaire

made him extremely wealthy. political opponents have commented on his expensive houses, clothes and shoes, suggesting he is out of touch with ordinary people. the revelation that his wife had non—dom tax status proved politically toxic. he said he had informed senior civil servants when hejoined government but a u—turn followed. she has always followed all the rules but she recognises this goes beyond just following those rules so she has decided to pay both uk and foreign taxes. the episode was a low point for rishi sunak. he was visibly angry at what he saw as an intrusion into his wife's financial affairs. colleagues, though, felt it betrayed a certain political naivety and some even predicted that his career would never recover. rishi sunak is a long—standing brexit supporter but, as chancellor, he rarely trumpeted the benefits

of leaving the eu. he got caught up in the scandal about downing street parties, receiving a fine for breaking covid laws. friends say he had just turned up early for a meeting in the cabinet room. tackling the costs of transport... there had been rumours of tensions between him and boris johnson over spending. after a number of scandals, mr sunak resigned in protest. he was blamed by mrjohnson's friends for bringing him down. please welcome rishi sunak. when he stood to be tory leader in the summer, he warned that liz truss's tax—cutting agenda would lead to higher interest rates for the government and homeowners. liz, your plans, your own economic adviser has said that that would lead to mortgage rates, interest rates going up to 7%. can you imagine what that is going to do for everyone here and everyone watching? that is thousands of pounds on their mortgage bill. a few weeks ago, rishi sunak was rejected by conservative members. today, colleagues have decided he is the man to bring stability. vicki young, bbc news, westminster.

as the uk prepares for its third prime minister in the space of seven weeks, after a period of extreme political turmoil and the new conservative leader wasted no time in mourning his party that it faced destruction unless it pulls together —— warning his party. much of the focus will be on constituencies that switched from labour to conservative at the last general election. 0ur correspondent alex forsyth is in wakefield in west yorkshire, general election but which labour took back in a by—election this year. the political landscape has shifted once again. while voters, like those here in the cathedral city of wakefield, could but watch. dennis, who has backed the conservatives before, runs a local sweet shop. he welcomes the party's latest choice of prime minister but after recent economic turmoil, doesn't see easy solutions. clever fellow, actually,

probably one of the cleverest guys. i'd probably give him a chance, see what he does in 18 months but he's got an uphill task. not far away, this community centre is in a residential area with high levels of need. for bernie, the manager, there is frustration at how events in have unfolded. whilst the conservative party have been navel gazing and looking at their own self interests, communities like this have been forgotten. and not prioritised. and it's bordering on criminal. i am not confident that the new prime minister will deliver. it doesn't feel democratic right now. in the city centre, some share a similar sentiment. rishi sunak is going to be the new prime minister. yeah. what do you think? we need another general election. it's a swing door on number 10! it's all a joke, though, isn't it? i'm a single mum and we are all struggling financially.

they need to just get their priorities in order. what do you make of what has been happening in westminster? i don't think it's been right good. if i've got to be honest. one thing after another, isn't it? itjust seems a farce, a joke. there's no real leadership. this was one of the seats the conservatives won from labour at the 2019 election, when borisjohnson led the party. but they lost it in a by—election earlier this year. it shows how the party's electoral fortunes have shifted and lays bare the challenge facing rishi sunak, the new prime minister. conservative party member waheeda says recent political chaos has had an impact on the doorstep. she is hopeful now for some stability. the people we are expecting to lead us are just leaving a circus. it has become embarrassing and it is hard to defend this as local activists. what do you think about rishi sunak? i think he's great. all this bickering and sniping, it has got to end because it's not a good look. back in the city centre,

tania runs her own candle shop and says the uncertainty has not helped business, but she is prepared to give the incoming prime minister a chance. if he can show his teeth and get the taxes sorted, i don't mind paying tax as long as it's going to help the economy and get us going. would you have faith that rishi sunak would be able to do what you wanted and make things more stable? i think after what hasjust happened with liz truss, hopefully, is it third time lucky? the conservatives might hope they have bought themselves a window to restore public faith. it could be narrow. alex forsyth, bbc news, wakefield. shortly after mr sunak's victory was announced, the first minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon, congratulated him and expressed the hope that they could have a constructive working relationship. but she also demanded an immediate general election and a rejection of any more austerity measures. in a moment, we'll also hear the reaction in wales and in northern irfeland,

but first to our scotland editor james cook in edinburgh. and rishi sunak has previously made it clear he intends to continue trying to block a second referendum on independence and that he wants to increase scrutiny of the scottish government. as you said, nicola sturgeon congratulated him and said his election was a significant and important moment for british asians but said she would be taking no lessons from him on scrutiny, and said he had no democratic legitimacy in scotland. she had some advice, friendly or otherwise, saying that rishi sunak should call an immediate general election and should not impose another wave of what she called damaging austerity on public services and families. the scottish conservatives know that the recent weeks have been pretty difficult for the party here and those difficulties have been largely self

imposed. douglas ross,