Rishi Sunak will official become Prime Minister tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, Downing Street has said. Although he was the sole nominee this afternoon, there is protocol which means his predecessor must visit the King.
After Liz Truss has chaired her final Cabinet meeting in the morning and then visited the King at Buckingham Palace, it will be official. Mr Sunak, 42, is set to be the youngest prime minister the country has ever had.
Downing Street said Ms Truss will chair her final Cabinet at 9am and will make a statement outside No 10 at 10.15am. She will then go to Buckingham Palace to offer her resignation to the King.
The King will then meet new Conservative leader Rishi Sunak and invite him to form a government. Mr Sunak will make a statement in Downing Street at 11.35am.
Mr Sunak is also the first British Asian and the first Hindu to hold the top job. The British Hindu Council paid tribute to the appointment earlier, saying: "Historical day Rishi to be next PM Regardless of political views, we think it is very inspiring to see someone from our background reach these heights.
"It’ll encourage others to follow in similar footsteps across all industries & also give belief to those who may not think it is possible."
Polling has indicated the struggle Rishi Sunak faces in winning back the public to the Tory party. A YouGov poll of 12,000 adults between Friday and Sunday suggested Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is favoured as the “best prime minister” in 389 constituencies compared to Mr Sunak coming out on top in 127.
In a televised address to the nation on Monday, Mr Sunak said: “I would like to pay tribute to Liz Truss for her dedicated public service to the country.
“She has led with dignity and grace through a time of great change and under exceptionally difficult circumstances both at home and abroad. I am humbled and honoured to have the support of my parliamentary colleagues and to be elected as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party.
“It is the greatest privilege of my life to be able to serve the party I live and to give back to the country I owe so much to.”
