A day of firsts

Earlier today Liz Truss resigned and became the shortest serving Prime Minister in British history, not long after Rishi Sunak arrived at No. 10 - the first British Asian to take residence. Today was also a first for the new monarch; the first time he accepted a PM's resignation and appointed a new one. Today was undoubtedly a historic day and an opportunity to look back at the previous shortest serving PM and the first one from an ethnic minority background.

George Canning (1770 – 1827), Prime Minister for 119 days

Prior to Liz Truss assuming the title of Britain's shortest serving Prime Minister, George Canning held the record - he was in office for 119 days. Like Liz Truss, George Canning had had a long political career before getting the top job and also served as Foreign Secretary. Born in Middlesex to a failed businessman, his uncle supported his education and early entry to politics, although Canning rejected his uncle's Whig party and became a Tory. He was noted for his charisma and quickly rose through the ranks of the foreign office - he was credited for diplomatic successes which helped guarantee the independence of the Spanish and Portuguese American colonies.

Lord Liverpool (PM 1812-27) who was, until Rishi Sunak, the youngest person to become Prime Minister suffered a severe stroke in stroke in 1827 and as his second in command Canning took over as PM. In an ironic reflection to the difficulties the modern conservatives find themselves in, George Canning's Tories were divided and in order to form a government he brought Whigs into the cabinet. His efforts to form a cross-party coalition were short-lived, he died from tuberculosis on 8th August 1827 less than 4 months after taking office. With such a short period in office his legacy has often been described as the 'lost leader', given his achievements as a government minister he could have accomplished much in office.

Benjamin Disraeli (1804 – 1881), the first ethnic minority Prime Minister

Unlike George Canning most Brits are at least familiar with the name Disraeli, even if they aren't aware that he holds the record for being the first ethnic minority Prime Minister. Born to Jewish parents, Disraeli converted to Christianity at age 12, the decision to convert is largely attributed to his father who being disgruntled with the Jewish faith believed that his son would have better prospects by converting. It definitely opened the door to politics which at this time still required a declaration of allegiance to Christianity. Before becoming a MP, Disraeli pursued a number of career paths including, solicitor, barrister, investment banker and author.

After several failed attempts he eventually joined parliament in 1837. Politically, Disraeli was radical when it came to democratic reform but a protectionist economically. He rose to fame by publicly opposing Sir Robert Peel when he was PM and in the split which followed the repeal of the corn laws Disraeli was at the centre of the new Conservative Party. In 1868, the PM, the Earl of Derby resigned at Disraeli was appointed in his place. Despite inheriting a minority government which was promptly kicked in the December general election his administration did manage to pass several key laws such as the abolition of public executions and the Corrupt Practices Act which tackled electoral bribery.

Disraeli remained as leader of the Conservatives and achieved a second term in office following the 1874 election - this time he would stay in office for 6 years. During his second administration he embarked on a major reforming agenda which increased the rights of workers, improved public health and made education up to the age of 10 mandatory. Obsessed with foreign policy and the status of Britain globally he was a determined imperialist; he oversaw the purchase of the Suez Canal and secured Cyprus for the British. However, this preoccupation with foreign affairs came at the detriment of his standing with the electorate and in 1880 he lost by a landslide. He never recovered from his defeat and died the following April.

Given today's historic event, the most interesting element of Disraeli's legacy is his role in the British Raj. Disraeli was responsible for the parliamentary act which granted Queen Victoria the title of Empress of India - he did this to appease a sovereign with whom he was not popular and to project British power with a global commitment to keeping India British. 146 years later and 75 yeas after Indian independence the UK now has its first British Indian and second ethnic minority Prime Minister.