Rishi Sunak has been chosen as the leader of the Conservative Party on Monday and is set to be next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
He was backed by more than 190 MPs as his contender Penny Mordaunt failed to earn the backing of 100 MPs which is a prerequisite for entering the PM race and bowed out of the race, minutes before the 1922 Committee Chief Sir Graham Brady announced the results.
UK media outlets say that it is unlikely for Sunak to be formally announced as the country’s Prime Minister today but ITV, another UK media outlet, reported that King Charles III will travel from Sandringham to London on Monday afternoon itself.
Liz Truss and the incoming Prime Minister Rishi Sunak need to meet the King and only after his invitation Sunak can form the government.
Penny Mordaunt announced in a tweet that she is dropping out of the race and backing Sunak as UK Prime Minister.
— Penny Mordaunt (@PennyMordaunt) October 24, 2022
“These are unprecedented times. Despite the compressed timetable for the leadership contest it is clear that colleagues feel we need certainty today. They have taken this decision in good faith for the good of the country,” Mordaunt said.
“As a result, we have now chosen our next Prime Minister. This decision is an historic one and shows, once again, the diversity and talent of our party. Rishi has my full support,” she further added.
Outgoing prime minister Liz Truss also announced her full support for her successor.
Congratulations @RishiSunak on being appointed as Leader of the Conservative Party and our next Prime Minister.
You have my full support.
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) October 24, 2022