Liz Truss has resigned as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, becoming the shortest-serving Prime Minister in British history.
Truss was selected as Conservative Party leader in September this year, after a six-week leadership contest brought about by the resignation of Boris Johnson - another PM who didn't serve out their full term. Today, October 20, Ms Truss announced she will step down from her role after just six weeks.
The pressure had been mounting on the under-fire PM after a series of disasters following on from the announcement of her economic plans. Yesterday, the Home Secretary Suella Braverman also resigned and what followed was an evening of chaos in Parliament as top Tories tried to force other MPs to back Ms Truss in a key vote.
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In her resignation statement delivered at Downing Street, Ms Truss said: "I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability. Families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills.
"Putin's illegal war in Ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent. And our country has been held back for too long by low economic growth. I was elected by the Conservative Party with a mandate to change this - we delivered on energy bills and on cutting national insurance.
"And we set out a vision for a low-tax, high-growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of Brexit. I recognise though, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party.
"I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party. This morning I met the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. We have agreed that there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week.
"This will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country's economic stability and national security. I will remain as Prime Minister until a successor has been chosen. Thank you."
Stepping down today, her 44th day in office, leaves Ms Truss as the shortest-serving Prime Minister in 300 years. The record was previously until today held by Prime Minister George Canning, who died after a few months in office.
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Born in London in April 1770, Mr George Canning was a member of the Tory party. According to the Government website, he was "popular, witty and intelligent, he gained an early political following as an excellent public speaker."
It reads: "He was one of the first politicians to campaign heavily in the country, making many speeches outside Parliament and was known for his opposition to parliamentary reform and his advocacy of Catholic emancipation." Canning replaced Lord Liverpool as Prime Minister on April 10, 1827.
But on August 8, 1827, after spending barely 5 months in office, Canning died suddenly from pneumonia at Chiswick House. His sole term lasted 119 days.
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