Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned today after only 44 days in office. She is the shortest-serving Prime Minister in history. Truss gave a speech today outside Downing Street announcing her resignation.
Standing outside No10 this afternoon, Ms Truss said: “I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability. Families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills. Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent.
“I was elected by the Conservative Party with a mandate to change this.
“I recognise though, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party.
“I have therefore spoken to His Majesty The King to notify him that I am resigning as Leader of the Conservative Party.”
The PM added: “This morning I met the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady.
“We’ve agreed that there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week.
“This will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country’s economic stability and national security.
“I will remain as Prime Minister until a successor has been chosen.”
Here are some responses to her resignation:
Responding to today’s bombshell announcement, former minister and Red Wall poster boy Neil O’Brien tweeted: “The next PM must return to the national conservatism represented by our election winning 2019 manifesto and put us back on the side of normal working people.”
And minister Greg Hands said: “A dignified exit as Prime Minister from Liz Truss. A difficult day for the country, the Party and for Liz personally.
“She wasn’t long as PM, but served at the Cabinet table longer than any of her three predecessors. She has long served the country – and I wish her very well.”
Brexit hardman Steve Baker urged colleagues that whatever the result, “we must accept and back the new Prime Minister”.
There is now a race for new leadership. The new Prime Minister will be chosen by next Friday. “The current frontrunners to takeover from Ms Truss are Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.” Good luck to all the candidates.
Source The Sun
