TRUSS. The United Kingdom will therefore soon have a new Prime Minister, after the resignation of Liz Truss. Who is in line?
[Mise à jour le 21 octobre à 11h21] In the United Kingdom, a new political battle is starting. After the announcement of the resignation of Liz Truss, the race to take over from the British Prime Minister is already being organized across the Channel. Several political figures are in the ranks and are targeting 10 Downing Street, the residence of the head of government. Several names have already been mentioned. But in a context of unprecedented political crisis, the Conservative Party, in power since 2010, no longer seems to be favored by voters. Although he won the general elections of 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2019, his popularity rating is in free fall. The resignation of Liz Truss will lead to the appointment of a new Prime Minister without calling a new general election. A political grub that seems to tire the British, with growing financial difficulties. So, according to a Yougov poll, carried out among 1,675 people and published on 13th October last, 51% of respondents announced their intention to vote for the Labor Party in the next general election, against only 23% in favor of the Conservative Party. But by 2024, the UK will not hold a snap general election.
Liz Truss resigns as UK Prime Minister
44 short days. Liz Truss will only remain Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for 44 days. The last head of government enthroned by Queen Elizabeth II announced her resignation on Thursday, October 20, 2022, cornered politically on all sides in the face of the wave of resignations among her ministers. “We had a vision for lower taxes but also to support Brexit. I recognize that, in view of the situation, I cannot continue the mandate for which I was elected by the Conservative Party. I present my resignation from the position of leader of the Conservative Party to King Charles III”, she announced in a speech outside 10 Downing Street in London, the residence of the Prime Minister.
Who will be the future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?
Less than two months after taking office, Liz Truss will therefore be replaced as head of the British government. An election will take place very soon, the announced objective being a scheduled appointment for the Friday, October 28, 2022. But who could take over from the short-lived successor of Boris Johnson ? The latter could return to the political game according to The Guardian, who established a first list of suitors. Liz Truss’ predecessor wouldn’t be the only one in the race. Rishi Sunakformer British finance minister and loser of the last primary against Liz Truss, would still covet the post, as well as Penny Mordauntshe who was also in the running this summer. Ben Wallacecurrent Minister of Defence, and Michael Gove, Johnson’s former secretary of state, are also considered for the post. For his part, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer (Minister of Finance), Jérémy Hunt, has made it known that he will not appear, he told the BBC.
Why did Liz Truss quit?
Coming to power on September 5, Liz Truss was quickly weakened because of her economic promises. While a £45 billion tax cut plan was initially announced on September 23, it was finally canceled on October 3. The now future ex-Prime Minister then dismissed her finance minister to replace him with a new Chancellor of the Exchequer, who also announced the cancellation of the tax cuts. These reversals had a significant impact on the British economy. But that’s not all. Liz Truss also had to wipe out the resignation of her Home Secretary over differences over immigration.
The shortest mandate in history, marked by the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Remaining only 44 days in post, Liz Truss made the shortest stay in history at 10 Downing Street. Before her, the (very old) record was held by George Canning, who was Prime Minister from April 10 to August 8… 1827, i.e. for 3 months and 29 days. But his tenure, however short, was marked above all by the death of Queen Elizabeth II, which occurred on September 8, 2022. The two women had met two days earlier, on September 6, at Balmoral Castle, in Scotland, thus officially recording the post of the one who succeeded Boris Johnson. 15th and last head of government of the sovereign, she was the first, after the close family, to have been alerted to the death of the Queen. She then became the first Prime Minister of King Charles III.