London, UK: After just six weeks in power, Ms. Liz Truss has announced her resignation as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) after a series of embarrassing U-turns and a dismal economic strategy sparked an uproar from all sides of the house to have her removed.
Ms. Liz’s term as Prime Minister came to an end after 1922 Committee Chairman Mr. Graham Brady, who supervises votes of confidence, met her earlier for crisis talks.
Ms. Liz told the journalists outside Downing Street shortly after that she would step down but promised to stay in the position until a leadership election was held in the following week to select her replacement.
Here are a few candidates who might be the next Prime Minister of the UK. All of them have either said they might win, or at the very least, haven’t ruled taking up the Prime Ministerial
RISHI SUNAK
It seems likely that the MP who won the summer vote but was defeated by members will make another run for office, not least since he has spent the first 45 days of Ms. Truss’s premiership being subtly vindicated.
Ms. Truss was constantly cautioned by the outgoing chancellor against implementing tax cuts too quickly, and the ensuing market upheaval proved him right, if only because he agreed with many mainstream financial voices. Many Tory MPs are skeptical of Mr. Sunak, despite the fact that he is seen of as a voice of technocratic calm competence.
However, Mr. Sunak’s great wealth and position as someone whose family used non domiciled status to minimize their tax might be a boon to Labor during hard economic times.
PENNY MORDAUNT
Another candidate who appears to be almost certain to run is the third-place finisher in the summer leadership competition. The former defense secretary served as Commons leader during Ms. Truss’s administration. Ms. Mordaunt was shielded from the majority of controversial choices but was still able to periodically display her skills, as she did last week when she filled in for Ms. Truss to respond to a pressing question.
While many Conservative MPs are expected to support Ms. Mordaunt, some may question whether she, like Ms. Truss, is somewhat untested and poses a danger.
BEN WALLACE
Ben Wallace, the defense secretary, declined to run for party leader in the summer of 2022 despite being a popular choice. Mr. Wallace served as a Scots Guards captain in the past and has received accolades for his support of Ukraine during Russia’s invasion. Although Wallace is viewed as a unifying force, it is unclear if he is interested in the position.
BORIS JOHNSON
Since leaving Downing Street, the disgraced PM has gone off the grid, but some Conservative MPs have discussed the possibility of luring the former PM back to succeed Ms. Truss.
Mr. Johnson is popular with party members but less so with MPs, many of whom were extremely angry at having to defend the administration against months’ worth of negative news.
SUELLA BRAVERMAN
Ms. Braverman left her great position of state one day earlier than Ms. Truss did after sending a secret document to another MP using her personal email account.
However, Ms. Braverman’s brief tenure as home secretary is probably what helped her gain favor with the Tory right. Ms. Braverman would not have disappointed her supporters when she served in the Home Office, promising to reduce net annual migration to the tens of thousands and advocating that cannabis be classified as a class A drug.
Ms. Braverman was already well known for being a vocal opponent of immigration and in favor of culture wars. He chances, though, appear to be somewhat slim.
KEMI BADENOCH
Many Tory MPs were pleased by the now international trade secretary during the previous leadership contest due to the strong right leaning opinions, rhetorical skill, and ability to pass for an average person.
Similar to Ms. Braverman, Ms. Badenoch has a reputation for being a cultural fighter, but voters may find her more appealing since they perceive her as being more intelligent on these matters. However, Ms. Badenoch also has the same status, which makes her a long shot.