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The Oxford University and Stanford MBA graduate co-founded a 1-billion-pound global investment firm and specialised in investing in small British businesses
Rishi Sunak, the son-in-law of Infosys founder Narayan Murthy and the Conservative party's prominent first-time Indian-origin MP, today threw his weight behind Britain leaving the EU in the June 23 referendum.
Sunak branded uncontrolled immigration from Europe that makes immigration norms tougher for Indians as "irrational and unfair" and declared that 'Brexit' would ensure that such discrimination comes to an end.
"As it can't control EU immigration, the UK also has to be much tougher on immigration from countries like India and Canada. This is irrational and unfair.
"Irrational because Britain should be welcoming the best people from around the world, not just from Europe; unfair because we are discriminating against countries with whom we have ties of history, language and culture," he said in a statement on behalf of the official 'Vote Leave' campaign.
The 34-year-old, who is married to Murthy's daughter Akshata, became an MP in last year’s general elections from Richmond in North Yorkshire, in northern England.
The Oxford University and Stanford MBA graduate co-founded a 1-billion-pound global investment firm and specialised in investing in small British businesses.
On a personal note, he said "I grew up watching my parents work hard and serve our local community with dedication. My dad is a NHS (National Health Service) family GP and my mum ran her own small business, the local chemist shop. Small companies are the lifeblood of our economy: they employ more people than large companies and are responsible for 85 per cent of recent job creation".
"But, while this government has worked hard to support our small businesses, EU red tape is holding them back. From working in my mum's tiny chemist shop to my experience building large businesses, I have seen how we should support free enterprise and innovation to ensure Britain has a stronger future," he said.
He believes small businesses in the UK would flourish as a result of Brexit as the "vast majority of British businesses (94 per cent) don't have anything to do with the EU; but they are still subject to all EU laws".
Sunak joins employment minister Priti Patel as high- profile Indian-origin voices in favour of Brexit and, like her, is appealing directly to UK immigrant communities.
"Like many of you, I come from a family of immigrants. I am grateful to Britain for giving my family the opportunity to settle here and forge a better life. I am proud of our country's generous approach to welcoming hardworking and ambitious immigrants and believe it is in our interests to continue doing so," he said.
Photograph: Courtesy, rishisunak.com