The UK’s conservative Tory Party has new leader in PM Liz Truss

After months of hustings (campaign events), Liz Truss, the British Foreign Secretary, won the race to become the UK’s prime minister. Truss defeated Rishi Sunak, a former member of Parliament, to become the leader of the conservative Tory Party. 

“I have a bold vision for our future backed up by huge experience,” Truss said in a campaign ad in the run up to the leadership vote. 

Truss takes over an office plagued by scandals under outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who resigned in July.

As a candidate, Truss told voters that, if elected, she would be ready to lead on day one. Her first big test at 10 Downing Street: taking on Brexit. The Northern Ireland Protocol aims to scrap some parts of the controversial deal that makes it difficult for residents in Northern Ireland to do business across EU borders. 

“It has created fractures between east and west,” Truss said in the second reading of the Northern Ireland Protocol on Jun. 27, 2022. “It has diverted trade and meant people in Northern Ireland or being treated differently from people in Great Britain. It has weakened their economic rights.” 

On energy, Truss vowed to help citizens offset surging energy costs. She insisted the country turn to alternative energy sources such as nuclear, hydrocarbons and fracking. 

In the meantime, Truss said the UK would continue to support Ukraine’s efforts to defeat Russia at war.