Liz Truss resigns, becomes shortest-serving PM in Britain's history; next PM to be elected on Oct 28
Photograph: (Reuters)
<p>Just six weeks into her premiership, Liz Truss resigned as the leader of the Conservative Party on Thursday, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history. At least a dozen Tory MPs had called for Truss's resignation after two of her ministers quit over tax cut U-turns that caused a market meltdown during an already severe cost-of-living crisis. </p> <p>Follow WION for the latest updates on the present UK political crisis. </p>Key Updates
20 Oct 2022, 10:49 PM (IST)
The Conservative Party on Thursday set a high threshold of at least 100 lawmaker nominations for any leadership hopefuls, effectively limiting the race to three candidates.
Nominations will close on Monday and after a vote by Tory MPs, party members will decide the winner in an accelerated online vote with the winner announced on October 28, party managers said.
20 Oct 2022, 7:25 PM (IST)
Markets reacted positively after Liz Truss announced her resignation on Thursday.
The pound rose against the dollar, touching $1.13 at one point before slipping back.
Shares also moved upwards initially on the FTSE 100, and the government's borrowing costs fell.
One analyst told BBC that the reaction of the markets meant they felt "relieved" by Truss's departure despite there still being a lot of uncertainty.
20 Oct 2022, 6:39 PM (IST)
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday hoped that UK quickly returns to stability after Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned after six weeks in office marred by political and economic chaos.
At an EU summit, Macron said he would not comment on British domestic politics, but added: "It is important that Great Britain regains political stability very quickly, and that is all I wish."
20 Oct 2022, 5:16 PM (IST)
Downing Street has denied that there is any change to Liz Truss’s plan to stay in No 10 beyond the fiscal plan on October 31.
A spokesperson for the prime minister told reporters, "No plans for any change. The prime minister will continue beyond the 31st."
"She’s also working with the chancellor on delivering economic stability and growth."
20 Oct 2022, 5:01 PM (IST)
Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan refused five times to say that Liz Truss will lead the Conservative Party into the next general election.
The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman was just asked the following: Does the Prime Minister still think she will lead the Tories into the next general election?
The spokesman replied: “Yes.”
20 Oct 2022, 4:59 PM (IST)
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said she had a "difficult day" yesterday after Susuella Braverman resigned over national security breach.
She wants the government to focus on its priorities, her official spokesman said on Thursday.
"The prime minister acknowledges yesterday was a difficult day," the spokesman said after Truss faced opposition jibes, MPs' rebellion and the resignation of a key minister. Truss wants the government to focus "less on politics" and more on "delivering priorities", he added.