UK to elect new PM next Friday

The election to replace outgoing UK Prime Minister Liz Truss as leader of the Conservative Party will take place on October 28, the official in charge has said.

This followed Truss’ resignation on Thursday just 45 days after assuming office, the shortest tenure of any British prime minister.

UK Prime Minister resigns after 45 days in office

Real reasons Liz Truss resigned as UK Prime Minister

She announced her decision to step down outside Downing Street.

“It will be possible to conduct a ballot and conclude a leadership election by Friday, October 28. So, we should have a new leader in place before the fiscal statement which will take place on (October) the 31,” Graham Brady, chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of backbench MPs, told reporters.

Truss’ resignation has triggered the second Tory leadership election in four months.

Ms Truss said her successor would be elected by next week after a rebellion by Tory MPs forced her to quit.

Boris Johnson is among MPs said to be considering bids, but Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has ruled himself out.

Tory MPs revolted against Truss after a series of u-turns on her economic plan sapped her of authority.

In a brief speech outside Downing Street, Truss said the Conservative Party had elected her on a mandate to cut taxes and boost economic growth.

But given the situation, she said: “I recognise that I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party.”