UK PM Liz Truss resigns after 44 days in office

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss announced her resignation on Thursday, 20 October. She is the shortest-serving PM in British history but will remain in office until the individual that replaces her as leader of the Conservative Party is elected over the next week.

LIZ TRUSS RESIGNS

Truss replaced Boris Johnson approximately six weeks ago with the promise of an economic programme that would rejuvenate the British economy. In the weeks that followed, Truss was unable to fulfil her promises and the divisions in her party deepened as members lost faith in her ability to lead

In her resignation speech, said she was elected by the Conservative Party at a time of “great economic and international instability” and given a mandate to change things.

“We delivered on energy bills and on cutting National Insurance. And we set out a vision for a low tax, high growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of Brexit.

“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,” said Truss.

The leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, called for an immediate general election after the Prime Minister’s abrupt resignation.

Starmer referred to the leadership changes in the leading party as a “revolving door of chaos” and said “the Conservative party has shown it no longer has a mandate to govern.”

“The British public deserve a proper say on the country’s future. They must have the chance to compare the Tories’ chaos with Labour’s plans to sort out their mess, grow the economy for working people and rebuild the country for a fairer, greener future. We must have a chance at a fresh start. We need a general election – now,” he said.

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