In an unexpected turn of event, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss on Thursday resigned from the Prime Ministership of United Kingdom, leaving the country another phase of leadership crisis. The question is top of the mind is about his successor.
The buzz is that Indian-origin UK politician Rishi Sunak is once again emerging as the front runner. Truss defeated her close contender Sunak to become the Prime Minister of UK barely 45 days ago. According to Sky Bet, Sunak, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, currently has odds of 13/8. If it happens, Rishi Sunak would be the first Indian-origin person to hold the UK Prime Minister’s office.
Other contenders in the summer are also likely to be in the fray, including Penny Mordaunt, Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who was sacked on 19 October, may also be in the running. In a letter addressed to the UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, Braverman then expressed concerns about the direction of the government and said key pledges made to voters have been broken.
“It is obvious to everyone that we are going through a tumultuous time. I have concerns about the direction of this government. Not only have we broken key pledges that were promised to our voters, but I have had serious concerns about this Government’s commitment to honouring manifesto commitments, such as reducing overall migration numbers and stopping illegal migration, particularly the dangerous small boats crossings,” she added.
It is also reported that former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson could stand in the Conservative Party leadership contest to replace Truss. “He’s taking soundings but is said to believe it is a matter of national interest,” Times political editor Steven Swinford said on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the resignation has brought another opportunity Opposition who reiterated its demand for a general election. Shortly after Truss’s resignation, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer issued a scathing statement that ripped into the Conservative Party and called for a general election.
“After 12 years of Tory failure, the British people deserve so much better than this revolving door of chaos. We need a general election now,” he said and added that “Each one of these crises was made in Downing Street but paid for by the British public. Each one has left our country weaker and worse off.”
“The British public deserve a proper say on the country’s future. They must have the chance to compare the Tories’ chaos with Labour’s plans to sort out their mess, grow the economy for working people and rebuild the country for a fairer, greener future. We must have a chance at a fresh start. We need a general election – now,” he added.
