Monday, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she wanted to be the next prime minister after Boris Johnson. With this, there are now 11 contestants in all.
Liz Truss, who has worked as a minister in the departments of commerce, justice, and the treasury, said he would cut taxes while still being tough on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
She wants to replace Johnson, who was fired on Thursday after a series of scandals brought down his government. Later on Monday, the rules for the leadership election will be made public. The goal is to choose a new leader by September.
Liz Truss said in the Daily Telegraph, “As soon as I become prime minister, I will start cutting taxes to help people deal with the rising cost of living.”
After one of the most interesting events in recent British political history, in which more than 50 government ministers quit in protest of Johnson’s lack of morals, honesty, and character, the search for a new leader began.
Many lawmakers don’t want Johnson to stay in office until a replacement is chosen, so the party is likely to move up the election. Before this week’s vote to narrow the field to two, candidates might need the support of about 30 parliamentarians.
The winner will be chosen by about 200,000 Conservative Party members after weeks of campaigning all over the country.
Rishi Sunak, the early front-runner and former finance minister, has been criticised for his economic record and promises to lower taxes, even if that means the government will have to borrow more money. A lawmaker confirmed that a report criticising Sunak’s record had been shared in WhatsApp groups of lawmakers.
Nadhim Zahawi, who was named finance minister during last week’s chaos, said that his opponents were also trying to smear him after media reports raised questions about the former businessman’s personal finances and tax history.
On Monday, the man told Sky News, “It’s clear I’m being bad-mouthed.” “I was told that the Serious Fraud Office, the National Crime Agency, and the HMRC are looking into me (tax office). I have no idea about this. I have always paid my taxes in the UK, and I have always told the government about them.”
The attorney general, Suella Braverman, the former health and finance minister, Sajid Javid, and the secretary of transportation, Grant Shapps, are also possibilities.
One Conservative lawmaker was surprised by how many members of his party ran for the leadership position. Some of my coworkers’ goals and dreams “shouldn’t surprise me, but they do,” he said. “I believe we will shortly reduce the number of candidates on the list.”
