British Prime Minister Liz Truss has announced her resignation, following weeks of backlash and triggering political and economic turmoil in the country.
The development has sent shockwaves through the markets and divided her Conservative Party just six weeks after she was appointed.
Speaking outside the door of her Number 10 Downing Street office and residence, Truss acknowledged that she could not deliver the promises she made when she was running for Conservative leader.
“I recognize though, given the 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,” she said.
Truss said that she met the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady and they 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.”
"I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party"
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 20, 2022
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss resignshttps://t.co/O5kO1WJ4tY pic.twitter.com/Gq6FtOGNIP
Liz Truss lost the confidence of her own party and was facing a backlash from Conservative MPs after firing her chancellor and announcing a second U-turn on a major economic policy.
Truss has become the shortest-serving political leader in British history following her resignation after only six weeks in office.
UK opposition call for general election
Britain’s opposition leaders are now calling for a general election after the resignation of Liz Truss.
“After 12 years of Tory failure, the British people deserve so much better than this revolving door of chaos,” Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said in a statement. “We must have a chance at a fresh start. We need a general election – now,” he demanded.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also called for the polls. “We don’t need another Conservative prime minister lurching from crisis to crisis,” he said on social media. “We need a general election now and the Conservatives out of power.”