Liz Truss resigned as the Prime Minister of the
United Kingdom after barely 45 days in office on Thursday, October 20. Truss’
was the shortest stint of a UK PM in history. The 47-year-old had a stormy ride
at Number 10 and her resignation was almost awaited. Now that she is gone, the
Conservative Party is busy in finding a new leader.

Also Read | Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister after shortest term in office

Several names have surfaced. Rishi Sunak, the
person Liz Truss defeated to become prime minister, may be one of the
contenders. Names of Perry Mordaunt and Boris Johnson have also surfaced. Only
Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has ruled himself out of the race.

How will Tories elect the next UK PM?

Tory leader Sir Graham Brady opened nominations for
hours after Liz Truss resigned. Nominations will close at 2pm on Monday.
Candidates will be expected to have “at least 100” MPs backing them to move to
the next stage.

Also Read | As Liz Truss resigns UK PM post, Boris Johnson’s name lurks in shadows

The Tory leadership further said that it wants the
entire process to end by October 28. While the leadership is hoping for a
consensus candidate, in case there are two candidates, an online vote will be conducted
for Tory party members. With the requirement for 100 nominations at least,
there can only be a maximum of three contenders for the PM post.

Also Read | How Liz Truss went from ‘Not a Quitter’ to ‘Cannot deliver’ in 24 hours

Call for general elections

While the Tories are desperately looking to fill
the PM’s seat, Opposition parties have called for a general election to be
conducted so that people get to choose their next leader. Labour leader Sir
Keir Starmer, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, Scotland’s First Minister
Nicola Sturgeon and Wales’s First Minister Mark Drakeford have all called for
fresh elections.

The Labour leader said the party has a manifesto ready
if general elections are called. “There’s a manifesto that is going to be ready
whenever an election is called. I’ve had a team working on that. I’ve had a
team working on general election preparedness. We’ve moved our teams onto a
general election footing.”