Liz Truss Resigns as UK Prime Minister After Just 44 Days

British Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned on Thursday amid a growing financial crisis and an internal party rebellion, The Associated Press reports.

“I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party,” Truss said Thursday outside of 10 Downing Street.

Truss lasted just 44 days as prime minister and is the third conservative prime minister to resign since 2019.

Truss’ resignation came a day after she vowed to stay on, insisting she is a “fighter and not a quitter.”

But resignations in her Cabinet and criticism from her own party ultimately led to her stepping down.

Brought down by economic plan:

The pound rose about 1% after Truss’ resignation.

A growing number of lawmakers called on her to step down after weeks of economic turmoil caused by her economic plan, which included tax cuts for the wealthy that investors worried the country could not afford.

The crisis led to the replacement of her Treasury chief and an about-face on the proposal.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman also resigned on Wednesday, raising “concerns about the direction of this government.”

“The wheels have come off the Tory clown car,” an editorial in the conservative Daily Mail read.

What now?

It’s unclear where the party will go or how Truss’ replacement will be picked.

It’s uncertain whether the party’s 172,000 members, who elected Truss, would select the next PM or whether the 357 Tories in Parliament would decide.

The Labour Party called to let the voters decide.

“The Conservative Party has shown it no longer has a mandate to govern,” said Labour Party leader Keir Starmer. “We must have a chance at a fresh start. We need a general election – now.”

 

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