Liz Truss quits as UK Prime Minister, All eyes on Rishi Sunak as pressure mounts on country

New Delhi: UK’s beleaguered Prime Minister Liz Truss, facing opposition from within the party over her handling of the economy and exit of key ministers, resigned on Thursday. Under the current rules, Truss technically cannot face a leadership challenge for at least 12 months but there are growing murmurs of either a swift change of rules or an ultimatum to her that she no longer has the support of her colleagues.

Truss had succeeded Boris Johnson in early September, after emerging triumphant in the Conservative Party leadership contest over former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak.

Sunak, who lost out to Truss’ now failed tax-cutting agenda in the leadership race last month, is seen as a key contender to step up to the post. But the picture remains extremely uncertain due to deep infighting within Tory ranks. Loyalists of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson believe the party should bring him back, given his solid electoral mandate from the 2019 general election. However, Truss’ current troubles are themselves reminiscent of how Johnson was dragged out of office and forced to resign in early July amid an open revolt by a growing number of his MPs and ministers.

The latest turmoil comes a day after Suella Braverman’s explosive exit from the Cabinet after admitting a breach of the ministerial code by discussing government policy in private emails and a scathing parting attack on her boss.

Now all eyes are on former chancellor Rishi Sunak to be parachuted in to take charge.

(Vinayak)