Hongkongers in Britain welcome Rishi Sunak as prime minister, but express worry as economic woes bite
- Immigrants stunned by UK’s political chaos, but some find it inspiring to see ‘democracy in action’
- Rising cost of food and heating leaves some from Hong Kong concerned their savings will dry up
Hongkongers who emigrated to Britain have welcomed the country’s first Asian prime minister, Rishi Sunak, although some admitted being taken aback by the political turmoil there.
Sunak, 42, a multimillionaire married to an Indian tech billionaire’s daughter, became Britain’s third prime minister in just a matter of months when he took office in October.
He faces a huge challenge in uniting his divided Conservative Party, fending off opposition calls for a general election, and dealing with rising inflation and a massive economic crisis.
For Matthew Cheung, 23, a part-time social media executive who moved to Britain with his parents and younger brother last year under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme, the appointment of a person of colour as prime minister was good news and inspiring too.
He said it showed British society becoming more inclusive. “With the changing environment, maybe it’s a good chance for Hongkongers to get into British politics. This is going to be our country,” he added.
However, the fast turnover of leaders left his mother, Ivy Cheung, 53, feeling uneasy.
“We come from Hong Kong where we cannot make any kind of change. But here, too much can change. I don’t know if it’s good or not,” she said.
