Unite behind the new PM, Liz Truss: Rishi Sunak after loss

Rishi Sunak has asked everyone who voted for him to now unite behind Liz Truss “as she steers the country through difficult times”. Truss has won the vote to become the new Conservative Party leader and consequently, the next British Prime Minister after Boris Johnson. 

Sunak, in his Twitter post, thanked everyone who voted for him and insisted on the Conservative Party being a single family:

While addressing the gathering after the results were declared, Truss also acknowledged the strong fight Sunak put up, saying that it was a “hard-fought campaign” on her way to 10 Downing Street. Truss was of the opinion that this went on to show the extent of talent the Conservative Party can boast of.

Truss, in her address, also said she has “bold plans” regarding tax cuts. This is in stark contrast to Sunak’s comments in a BBC interview where he said that the successor to Boris Johnson will have a “moral responsibility” to the British citizens and that Truss’ plans of tax cuts might be detrimental in the long run.

Sunak, in the same interview, also said: “I know millions of people are worried about inflation, particularly the cost of their energy bills. What I’ve said if I’m Prime Minister I will go further in supporting those families who most need support because the situation is worse than when I announced those measures earlier this year”.

Truss has promised to find a “long-term solution” to the energy crisis Britain is facing at the moment. She also said that she will be working to “deliver on the National Health Service”. 

In the election, Sunak received 60,399 votes against Truss’ 81,326. 82.6% of Conservative Party members cast their votes in the election. The percentage of votes that went in Truss’ favour was 57%. Boris Johnson, in 2015, had received 67.6% of the votes while David Cameron, in 2005, received 60.7%.