To replace Truss, who served as prime minister for the shortest period in British history, a leadership election will be completed within the upcoming week. The former record-holder, George Canning, served for 119 days until passing away in 1827.
Speaking in public in front of the entrance to her office and house at Number 10 Downing Street, Truss acknowledged that she had lost the confidence of her party and could no longer keep the promises she made while running for Conservative leader.
“I realize, though, that the circumstances prevent me from carrying out the Conservative Party’s mandate for my election. As a result, I have announced to His Majesty the King that I am resigning as the head of the Conservative Party,” she stated.
“I met Sir Graham Brady, the 1922 Committee’s chairman, this morning. We’ve decided that the following week will see the conclusion of the leadership election. This will ensure that we remain on track to follow our fiscal plans and maintain the economic stability and national security of our nation. Until a successor has been chosen, I will continue to serve as Prime Minister. Thank you”
After being forced to abandon the majority of her economic plan, which she unveiled on September 23 and which sent the pound and government bond markets tumbling, conservative lawmakers have stepped up their requests for Truss to go.
She appointed former health minister Jeremy Hunt as her new finance minister in an attempt to balance her cabinet, but on Wednesday, her legislators turned on each other and another senior minister resigned, leaving Truss’ authority in tatters.
The former finance minister Rishi Sunak, a rival for her leadership, or Penny Mordaunt, who came third in the race to become the next prime minister just six weeks ago, are the two candidates conservative lawmakers predict would be the most likely to succeed her.
