London, (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Liz Truss has sensationally resigned as the leader of the conservative party after just 44 days in office. It means that the UK will get it 5th Prime Minister since 2010.
In a short statement given outside Downing Street just moments ago, Ms Truss announced that she will step down once a new leader is appointed.
Her announcement comes after a fortnight of turmoil, infighting and chaos at the heart of Westminster including more than a dozen conservative MPs calling publicly for her to quit, while Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has been put on a General Election footing.
Speaking outside Downing Street, she said: “Given the situation I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected.
“I have spoken to His Majesty the King to resign as leader of the Conservative Party.”
Her decision to resign in the premiership came after the crisis talks earlier today with the Chairman of the 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady, Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffeyand popular Conservative Party Chairman Jake Berry.
It is believed that they delivered the news that her time as Prime Minister was up and highlighted that even previously loyal MPs were joining the growing chorus of calls for her to step down, with one Truss supporting MP telling reporters that the situation was “terminal” for Liz.
Ms Truss’ doomed premiership had faced a series of setbacks including a series of U-turns over the mini-budget and departure of key ministers, including former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Then this morning, transport secretary Anne Marie Trevelyan, who is known as a poor media performer, was given the job of the broadcast round and failed to provide the Prime Minister with a ringing endorsement. Asked by the BBC’s Today programme whether Ms Truss would lead the conservative party in the next general election the Minister would not give a clear yes or no answer.
Parliamentnews.co.uk understands that it was a combination of these factors that triggered the announcement, that makes Ms Truss the UK’s shortest serving Prime Minister.
There are now signs leadership battle lines are already being drawn, with former minister Crispin Blunt openly calling for Jeremy Hunt, who will reportedly be acting as the “caretaker”to get the keys to No10.
While former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries suggested that the only person who could return in a “coronation” is Boris Johnson. A view that is supported by a number of Party Members, 10,000 of whom have signed a petition calling for the former PM to be brought back.
Other suggestions include the 1922 Committee trying to find a “unity candidate” or setting a very threshold for candidates to stand to ensure a speedy leadership contest.
ENDS