Liz Truss said on Thursday she would resign as prime minister, after her economic program that shocked markets and just six weeks after her appointment was cut short. Later it split the Conservative Party.
The leadership selection to replace Truss, the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history, will be completed within the next week. George Canning previously held the record, having served 119 days in 1827, when he died.
Speaking outside the door of his No. 10 Downing Street office and residence, Truss admitted he had lost the confidence of his party and was unable to keep promises he made while running for Conservative leader.
“Although I recognize that given the circumstances, I cannot deliver the mandate to which I was elected by the Conservative Party. I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to inform him,” she said. That I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party.”
“This morning I met the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. We’ve agreed that there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week. This will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country’s economic stability and national security.”
“I will remain as prime minister until a successor has been chosen. Thank you.”
Conservative lawmakers have increasingly called on Truss to step down after she was forced to junk most of her economic programme which when delivered on Sept. 23 sent the pound and government bond markets tumbling.
