Liz Truss was named leader of the governing Conservative Party and Britain’s next Prime Minister on Monday, taking power at a time when the country faces a cost of living crisis, industrial unrest and a recession.
Foreign Secretary Truss, who has for months been the target of withering scorn from Moscow, is expected to beat rival Rishi Sunak and become Britain’s new leader, succeeding Boris Johnson, when the result of a ballot of Conservative party members is announced at 1130 GMT.
LIVE: Britain’s next prime minister is announced following the Conservative ballot https://t.co/HyghhBySPR
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 5, 2022
After weeks of an often bad-tempered and divisive party leadership contest that pitted Truss against Rishi Sunak, a former finance minister, Monday’s announcement at 1130 GMT will trigger the beginning of a handover from Boris Johnson.
Johnson was forced to announce his resignation in July after months of scandal and he will travel to Scotland to meet Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday to officially tender his resignation. His successor will follow him and be asked to form a government.