Future British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to focus on economic stability and unite the divided party. In a short speech he promised to “work day and night for the British people”. Also, in his speech, the 42-year-old said little about the course he intends to sail.

Sunak acknowledged that the UK faces a very difficult “economic challenge”. His predecessor Liz Truss’ disastrous plan to cut taxes and increase spending by borrowing heavily was not addressed in Sunak’s speech. He thanked Truss. “She led our party under very difficult circumstances.”

Official appointment tomorrow

Truss resigned after 45 days, becoming the shortest-serving prime minister in British history. Sunak was the only candidate to succeed her, as it turned out this afternoon. He will be officially appointed the UK’s 57th Prime Minister tomorrow.

“It is the greatest honor of my life to lead the party I love and give back to the country to which I owe so much,” Sunak said. He will be the first prime minister of color and the youngest in 200 years.

Watch part of his speech here:

Behind closed doors, Sunak told his party members that the Tories were facing “an existential threat”. Only through economic discipline, tough measures, and restoring party unity can voter confidence be regained.

The 42-year-old ex-finance minister does not want to call for new elections. Given the poll numbers, that would be disastrous for the Conservatives.

The future prime minister was welcomed to the cheers and applause of his party members:

Meanwhile, British opposition parties are harshly critical of Sunak’s forthcoming appointment. They consider it undemocratic that the 42-year-old ex-finance minister becomes prime minister without new elections. The opposition calls for a vote again.

“No one voted for it”

“The Tories crowned Rishi Sunak without him saying anything about his plans as prime minister,” he said. The Labor Party Deputy Leader tweeted, the main opposition party. “He has no mandate, no answers and no idea. No one voted for it.”

The Liberal Democrats are also personally attacking the new prime minister. According to leader Ed Davey, the Conservatives have “reappointed someone who has lost touch with reality”. With his multimillion-dollar fortune, Sunak “doesn’t understand the problems and struggles” of millions of Britons struggling to make ends meet because of the energy crisis, Davey said.

Opposition; lost opportunities

The opposition argues that the Conservatives have lost their chances after the forced departure of two prime ministers in just a few months. But legally the Conservatives are in their right. They are allowed to appoint a new prime minister without the need for elections. The party has a large majority in the lower house.