UK’s Prime Minister, Liz Truss has formally announced her resignation as Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister.
Speaking at Downing Street, Truss said, she has informed King Charles III about her decision and had reached an agreement with Sir Graham Brady, Chair of 1922 committee, on the organisation of an election to elect a new Party Leader within next week.
She however indicated that, she will hold the fort as Prime Minister until a new Prime Minister is elected.
Here is her full speech.
“I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability. Families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills. Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent and our Countries have been held back for too long by low economic growth.
I was elected by the Conservative Party with a mandate to change this. We delivered on energy bills and on cutting National insurance. And we set out a vision on low tax, high growth economy that will take advantage of the freedoms of Brexit.
I recognize though given this situation I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party. I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him 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 elections to be completed within the next week.
This will ensure that remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our Country’s economic stability and National security. I remain as Prime Minister until a successor has been chosen. Thank you.”
Liz Truss
Truss was in office for just forty-five (45) days, making her the shortest serving British Prime Minister in history.
Calls Intensify For Liz Truss’ Resignation
Liz Truss’ position as UK’s Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party was under threats for sometime now. Many people including MPs from her own Party were calling for her resignation.
The Outgoing Prime Minister made a lot of U-turn decisions which made many question her ability to properly manage the affairs of the UK.
Conservatives MP for Reigate, Crispin Blunt, was the first Tory MP to call for Truss’ resignation. Not only did Blunt ask Truss to back down, he mentioned that, Rishi Sunak, Mordaunt and Jeremy Hunt are best for the job.
“I would be very, very surprised if there are people dying in a ditch to keep Liz Truss as our Prime Minister. What we need to effect is a transition to a combination of the talents of Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt and Jeremy Hunt in the top leadership positions in the party.”
Crispin Blunt, MP
Truss’ Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, resigned yesterday, October 19th, 2022. Her resignation created the impression that some members of Truss’ cabinet did not trust in her leadership.
In her resignation letter, Braverman seem to have suggested that, she did not have confidence in Truss’ administration.
“I have concerns about the direction of this government. Not only have we broken key pledges that were promised to our voters, but I have had serious concerns about this Government’s commitment to honouring manifesto commitments, such as reducing overall migration numbers and stopping illegal migration, particularly the dangerous small boats crossings.”
Suella Braverman, MP
Moreover, at Westminster yesterday, October, 19th, 2022, it was obvious there is disunity in the Parliamentary party. There was complete chaos during a voting session at Westminster, depicting how much Truss had lost control over her Party.
The motion to vote on a bill to ban a fracking was tabled by the Labour Party and it seemed some Tory MPs were in support of it. However, according to reports, the Conservative MPs were told they will be kicked out of the Parliamentary Party if they voted in favour of the Labour position.
Although the Conservatives won the votes by 326 to 230 votes, Labour MPs claimed some Conservatives were forced to vote in line with the government. Labour MP, Chris Bryant in an interview with BBC Radio, described what happened as “clear bullying and intimidation.”
“I saw a whole swathe of MPs effectively pushing one member straight through the door. I’ve seen photographic evidence of one MP’s hand on another, I have never seen scenes like that. All of this is happening because there is complete chaos in government.”
Chris Bryant, MP
Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle has called for investigation into the alleged intimidations during fracking vote.
Conservative MP’s Who Called For Truss’ Resignation
Prior to Truss’ resignation as Prime Minister, more than a dozen of MPs from her Party had called for her resignation.
The MPs include, Crispin Blunt, Jamie Wallis, Andrew Bridgen, Angela Richardson, Sir Charles Walker, William Wragg, Gary Streeter, Sheryll Murray, Miriam Cates, Steve Double, Matthew Offord, Henry Smith, Jill Mortimer, Ruth Edwards and Paul Holmes
Conservative MP for South East Cornwall, Sheryll Murray, tweeted: “I had high hopes for Liz Truss but after what happened last night her position has become untenable.”
The South East Cornwall MP added that, she has written to the Chair of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, expressing her lack of confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership.
Earlier, South West Devon MP, Gary Streeter, had intimated that the Tories needed a change of leader and party discipline if they want to remain in power.
“Sadly, it seems we must change leader BUT even if the angel Gabriel now takes over, the Parliamentary Party has to urgently rediscover discipline, mutual respect and teamwork if we are to (i) govern the UK well and (ii) avoid slaughter at the next election.”
Gary Streeter, MP
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