FORESTRY leaders have called on Rishi Sunak to provide "much-needed political stability" after he won the race to become the third prime minister in as many months. 

The former chancellor secured the support of Conservative MPs to succeed Liz Truss as Tory leader today, with rival Penny Mordaunt dropping out of the contest. 

Mr Sunak - who will enter Downing Street less than two months after he lost the last race - will be the UK’s first Hindu prime minister, the first of Asian heritage, and the youngest for more than 200 years at the age of 42.

READ MORE: Liz Truss: Forestry sector fears political instability will damage ambitions

Now, attention turns to Defra and the fate of the ministers appointed by Ms Truss a matter of weeks ago. Ranil Jayawardena, the environment secretary, hasn't publicly declared who he backed in the latest race for Number 10, while Trudy Harrison gave her support to former PM Boris Johnson. 

Forestry Journal: Ranil Jayawardena outside Downing Street last week, where he ignored questions about who he was backing to be prime minister Ranil Jayawardena outside Downing Street last week, where he ignored questions about who he was backing to be prime minister (Image: PA)

In the meantime, industry chiefs have called on Mr Sunak to provide a period of stability. 

Stuart Goodall, chief executive of Confor, said: “The Conservative party has now appointed its third leader in as many months, this has to be the last ‘throw of the dice’.

"We call on Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister to focus on providing much needed economic stability and on growing the economy while keeping the UK on track to meet our vital net zero target." 

Forestry Journal: Trudy Harrison is unlikely to remain in her post after going against Mr Sunak Trudy Harrison is unlikely to remain in her post after going against Mr Sunak

Mr Sunak takes office at a time when the UK is trailing far behind its tree-planting targets. Set by the Tory Party when it won the 2019 General Election, the goal is to plant 30,000 hectares each year. In the most recent figures, barely 14,000 ha had been put in the ground during the last 12 months. 

David Hopkins, CEO, Timber Development UK: "Like many other parts of the construction industry, timber businesses are crying out for some political stability right now.

"We hope the appointment of Rishi Sunak as PM will provide this and continue to calm down the markets too. Of course, he has some urgent economic issues to prioritise.

"But for TDUK members, whether he's a good PM or not will also be judged by his actions on Net Zero."