The long-awaited announcement is now official, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss takes over 10 Downing Street from Boris Johnson following a comfortable win over Rishi Sunak (57.4%/42.6%) in the Conservative Party’s elections for a new leader.

Both candidates have gone head-to-head in a dozen hustings events across the UK in the past weeks. Thanks to the support of her Tory colleagues, Liz Truss became the head of the Conservative Party, and thus also took over the function of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The Foreign Secretary, the favourite in the fight against Rishi Sunak is starting her duties on Tuesday 6 September. It is the third time in Britain’s history that a woman has been chosen for 10 Downing Street, after Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May. 

https://twitter.com/trussliz/status/1566752887857991680?s=20&t=CxVVdU0Jr_fsevEOjqMhCg

In his final interview with the BBC before the results were declared, former Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced his willingness to stay on as a member of Parliament. „I look forward to supporting the Conservative government in whatever capacity,” he explained. 

On the 7th of July, Boris Johnson declared his resignation from the PM position following a series of scandals involving several of his cabinet members. 

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1566761525293027329?s=20&t=NqQg1rbnE1zPlXLdCMDPcg

“I have been proud to serve as leader of the Conservative Party for the last three years, winning the biggest majority for decades, getting Brexit done, overseeing the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe, and giving vital support to Ukraine,” Johnson tweeted, following the official announcement of his replacement. 

Image: Twitter @trussliz

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen