British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned Friday that the UK’s problems will not «go away» in 2023 after a «difficult» 12 months, in his New Year message.
The UK premier, in his message to the public after a turbulent year in British politics, promised that «the best of the UK» will be on display in the coming months as the country continues to support Ukraine in its war against Russia, as reported by DPA.
Sunak has also anticipated the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, predicting that the monarch’s coronation would unite the country.
Describing the last year as «tough,» he added: «Just as we recovered from an unprecedented global pandemic, Russia launched a barbaric and illegal invasion of Ukraine. This has had a profound economic impact around the world, to which the UK is not immune.»
«Now, I know many of you have felt that impact at home. That’s why this Government has taken tough but fair decisions to get borrowing and debt under control. And it is because of those decisions that we have been able to help the most vulnerable with the rising cost of energy bills,» he said.
Sunak, who entered No. 10 in October after Liz Truss’ short-lived administration, has recalled her promise to «work tirelessly on the things that matter most to you.»
«Since then, this government has taken decisive action to support our National Health System (NHS) with record resources to tackle backlogs, such as more funding, more doctors and more nurses,» the UK head of government has listed.
«We are also tackling illegal immigration and preventing criminals from abusing our asylum system,» he added.
The leader of the Labor Party, Keir Starmer, has used his New Year message to warn that the UK «needs to change», stressing also that it has been a «very difficult year».
Starmer, who enters 2023 with his party still ahead of the Conservatives in the polls, reflected on the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the success of the women’s national soccer team’s Euro 22.
He also argued that the country should continue to support Ukraine and called for a «new chapter» for the UK next year ahead of the coronation.
In this sense, Starmer assured that his party will continue to defend a «new United Kingdom» that would solve the problems of public services and «would make the economy grow for all».
«For hope to flourish, the UK needs to change. The way workers are struggling this winter, the way our public services are on the brink, demands nothing less,» said the opposition leader.
«After all we have been through together, that is what the UK deserves,» he concluded.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
