|
   - Photo via BBC -
|
||
 You
Might
Also Like    
     |
International News
Published on Thursday, October 20, 2022 By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Liz Truss has resigned as prime minister after 45 days in office marked by turmoil, triggering the second Tory leadership election in four months, reported the British Broad Corporation (BBC).
Ms. Truss said her successor would be elected by next week after a rebellion by Tory MPs forced her to quit.
Boris Johnson is among MPs said to be considering bids but Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has ruled himself out.
Tory MPs revolted against Ms. Truss after a series of U-turns on her economic plan sapped her of authority.
In a brief speech outside Downing Street, Ms. Truss said the Conservative Party had elected her on a mandate to cut taxes and boost economic growth.
But given
the situation, Ms. Truss said: "I
recognize that I cannot deliver the
mandate on which I was elected by the
Conservative Party." Labour
leader Sir Keir Starmer and other
opposition parties called for an
immediate general election following Ms.
Truss's resignation speech. Ms. Truss said she would remain in post until a successor formally takes over as party leader and is appointed prime minister by King Charles.
While Mr. Hunt - who was appointed chancellor last week - will not challenge for the leadership, none of the candidates who stood against Ms. Truss in the previous contest have indicated whether they would stand.
Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench Conservative MPs, said it would be possible to conclude a leadership ballot by Friday next week.
He said
he expected Conservative members to be
given a say on who succeeds Ms. Truss
but would set out further details
later. But he sidestepped questions about whether one or two candidates would be likely to run, telling reporters: "The party rules say there will be two candidates unless there is only one candidate."
Ms. Truss will become the shortest-serving PM in British history when she stands down.
Leaders of allied nations thanked Ms. Truss for her cooperation, including US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, who said he wanted "stability" from the next UK prime minister.
In her speech, Ms. Truss said she entered "office at a time of great economic and international instability", as war rages in Ukraine and living costs skyrocket.
The prime minister said her government delivered on providing support for energy bills and reversing a rise in National Insurance, and a tax on workers and companies.
But Ms. Truss's resignation comes after a period of political and economic turbulence, which forced her government to ditch tax cuts that sent financial markets into a tailspin.
The prime minister sacked close political ally Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor and appointed Mr. Hunt as his successor as she attempted to calm the markets.
At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Ms. Truss insisted she was a "fighter, not a quitter" after Labour's leader asked her why she had not resigned.
But more
instability followed when Suella
Braverman quit as home secretary and a vote
on fracking fell into disarray, with
some Tory MPs accused of bullying.
---------------- How will Truss's resignation affect the UK economy? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com              |
|
|