Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak had fought a tough election campaign for weeks, but in the end Truss was able to prevail. She is only the third woman to succeed Britain’s political leader Boris Johnson.
Britain has a new prime minister – only the third ever. Liz Truss, the former Foreign Secretary, won the British Conservative party’s internal vote on the successor to Boris Johnson, the Tory party announced on Monday afternoon. In the past few weeks, up to 200,000 conservative party members have been able to vote by post or online on who will lead the new government. The 47-year-old Truss received 57 percent of the votes – her rival, former finance minister Rishi Sunak, got 43 percent.
In her first speech immediately after being elected leader of the Conservative Party, Truss thanked “her friend Boris”. Truss said in London that Johnson had done Brexit, fought off the Labor Party, ensured the rapid introduction of the corona vaccine and opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Liz Truss promises quick action on energy crisis
In her speech, the designated British Prime Minister announced rapid measures to cushion high energy costs. “I will deliver on the energy crisis by addressing people’s energy bills, but also by addressing the long-term energy supply issues,” said Truss. In addition, the previous foreign minister was convinced that the goals of her party would be supported by the majority of Britons. According to her, the Tories will win the general election planned for 2024. “We will deliver, we will deliver, we will deliver,” Truss said. However, polls currently see the opposition Labor Party clearly in the lead, which did not shy away from criticism after Truss was elected.
We’ve heard far more from Truss about cutting corporate taxes than about household relief, Labor Party leader Keir Starmer said, adding: “It shows that not only is she aloof, but she’s not on the side of the working class either population stands.” The Social Democrat demanded that Truss deal with the cost of living crisis, the ailing health system and crime.
The leader of the British Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, also reacted critically. More can be expected from Liz Truss of the crises and chaos that Boris Johnson has already brought, Davey wrote on Twitter. It is time to call a new election. The first reaction of the Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon sounded somewhat more positive. “Congratulations to Liz Truss. Our political differences are great, but I will try to have a good working relationship with her (…)” she wrote.
Congratulations also came from Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). “I look forward to our cooperation in these challenging times”, . “The UK and Germany will continue to work closely together – as allies and friends.”
UK: New prime minister to be sworn in Tuesday
Liz Truss is associated with the right wing of the Tory party. In the inner-party election campaign, the 47-year-old was particularly convincing with her plan to immediately lower taxes despite enormously high inflation. She also scored points with the party base – which is significantly older, more male and wealthier than the average British population – with a confrontational line towards the EU and populist statements about refugees, left-wingers, environmental activists and social minorities.
The change at the top of the British government will take place on Tuesday. Johnson will address the population one last time as prime minister and then resign from office. Both he and Truss then travel to Scotland and are received one after the other by Queen Elizabeth II, who is spending her summer vacation at her country estate, Balmoral Castle.
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
