Could Murty Prove A Secret Weapon In Sunak Campaign?

When Rishi Sunak took the podium to deliver his prime minister’s speech at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester last October, there was little he could say that hadn’t already been leaked to the media. But he did have one secret weapon, in the form of his wife, Akshata Murty.

- ATHENA STAVROU

Taking to the stage in a bright coral suit and heels, the fabulously wealthy daughter of an Indian tech billionaire stepped into the limelight and gave Sunak perhaps his best moment in an otherwise difficult party conference season. Now, the Tory leader, who trails by 27 points, hopes to repeat this trick again with Mrs Murty taking to the campaign trail solo to help turn the tide in his favour.

The heiress and businesswoman visited a Royal British Legion care facility in Ripon, North Yorkshire yesterday to bolster support for her husband’s campaign. While it is the norm for the wives of US presidents to be at the forefront of political life, it is not a tradition for prime ministers’ partners in the UK. Ms Murty was pictured at Lister House, which provides expert care including respite and daycare for former members of the armed forces, as well as a home for others.