Liz Truss resigns: one week to find her replacement
After 44 days in the job, prime minister Liz Truss has quit becoming the UK’s shortest-serving PM in history. She said she was stepping down from the role because she cannot deliver the mandate on which she was elected.
But who will replace her? Rishi Sunak or Penny Mordaunt
Anyone hoping to get the top job will need the backing of 100 MPs by Monday, with her successor set to be announced by Friday at the latest.
New Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has ruled himself out – and it’s expected, whoever is elected will keep Hunt in the position to keep the markets calm.
Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt are seen as the most likely contenders for the top job. Sunak came in second place during the summer leadership race, only narrowly being beaten by Liz Truss.
There are also reports Boris Johnson could be eyeing up a return, although sources close to him refused to confirm or deny he will stand again.
A handful of his loyalists are urging him to return, but others are saying they’ll quit if Boris Johnson returns to the office.
The Telegraph quoted an ally of Boris Johnson who said the former PM could offer an “olive branch” to Rishi Sunak and the pair could return to the top jobs to see out the next two years.
Boris Johnson was ousted from the government following a series of scandals – most famously Partygate.