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Sunak, Mordaunt, Johnson? Contenders who could replace Truss

Published:Friday | October 21, 2022 | 12:12 AM
A bookmaker takes bets for the next British Prime Minister after Liz Truss resigned in London, Thursday, Oct. 20. Truss resigned Thursday, bowing to the inevitable after a tumultuous, short-lived term in which her policies triggered turmoil in financial ma
AP
A bookmaker takes bets for the next British Prime Minister after Liz Truss resigned in London, Thursday, Oct. 20. Truss resigned Thursday, bowing to the inevitable after a tumultuous, short-lived term in which her policies triggered turmoil in financial markets and a rebellion in her party that obliterated her authority. )

LONDON (AP):

Liz Truss’ resignation as British prime minister on Thursday triggered another leadership race — the second in just four months — for the UK’s fractured and demoralised Conservative Party.

Truss, who quit after just 45 days in office, said her successor will be chosen in a leadership contest to be completed by the end of next week. Graham Brady, a senior Conservative lawmaker who oversees the party’s leadership challenges, said each candidate must secure 100 nominations from legislators to run and that the race will conclude by next Friday.

Former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, ex-Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt, and Defense Secretary Ben Wallace are among those considered credible contenders for the top job. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson may also return. Jeremy Hunt, who has been brought in as new Treasury chief to steer the economy, has ruled out running.

Whoever wins will become the fifth British prime minister in six years.