UK Prime Minister Liz Truss resigns after 45 days in office [Video]

• Liz Truss becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history after resigning from office.
• Truss, who served as PM for less than two months, remains leader until her successor is chosen.
• Former PM Boris Johnson could return and lead Britain’s Conservative Party.

U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned Thursday after less than six weeks in office. Truss was pressured after a reversal of economic policies that led to the country’s economic instability.

Truss on Wednesday defiantly declared that she is “a fighter and not a quitter then announced her resignation the next day, saying that circumstances have changed.

“Given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party,” she said. I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party.”

Truss became the shortest-serving leader in British political history after lasting 45 days in office. As the UK elects a party, not a specific leader, Truss will be replaced by someone from her ruling Conservative Party.

Truss, 47, will remain as prime minister as the process to replace her will be made within the next week.

“I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability,” Truss said in a brief statement outside No. 10 Downing Street in London. “I recognize, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate to which I was elected by the Conservative Party.”

Sir Alec Douglas-Home previously held the shortest tenure for a British leader after serving for one year and one day, from 1963 to 1964. 

Truss’s tenure was filled with political chaos during which she abandoned most of her economic policies. 

On Oct. 14, Truss fired Kwasi Kwarteng, her close ally and finance minister, even though he was implementing a pro-growth agenda. Kwarteng was replaced by Jeremy Hunt.

When Truss became prime minister on Sept. 6, multiple polls revealed that the opposition Labor Party would likely win a landslide victory in a general election. The ruling Conservative Party must call an election before January 2025.

Who could be the next prime minister?

Rishi Sunak, the front-runner, was Boris Johnson’s finance minister. He lost to Truss in September to lead Britain.

Perry Mordaunt, leader of the House of Commons,  could also run. He was one of the leaders behind the “Brexit” referendum approved by British voters in 2016.

Jeremy Hunt, described as the “Mitt Romney of British politics” could also inch his way into the contest.

Ben Wallace, the country’s defense secretary who gained respect at home and abroad for his strong support for Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion could join the race.

And of course, there’s Boris Johnson. The 58-year-old former prime minister has never been far from the headlines as a possible candidate for a comeback as he is still well-liked by his party. Truss replaced Johnson when he resigned after a series of scandals connected to coronavirus lockdowns and sexual misconduct by his ally.

Source: Reuters