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Liz Truss, the United Kingdom’s next prime minister, vowed to act swiftly on pressing issues like a sagging economy and skyrocketing energy prices that have been put on the back burner since July 7 when her predecessor, the embattled Boris Johnson, announced that he was stepping down.
On Tuesday, Queen Elizabeth II will invite Ms. Truss to form a government in her name — a ceremonial event known as “kissing hands” — at Balmoral, her castle in Scotland.
It will be the first time in her 70-year reign that the installation of a new prime minister will not occur at Buckingham Palace in London. The change was made over concerns about the health and mobility of the 96-year-old monarch.
Ms. Truss won the Conservative vote over her main rival, former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, with a tough-sounding plan of action meant to echo her conservative predecessor, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
“Our beliefs resonate with the British people. Our beliefs in freedom, in the ability to control your own life, in low taxes (and) in personal responsibility,” she said Monday, following the announcement by Conservative officials that she had won the vote to lead their party and therefore become the UK’s next head-of-government.
“As your party leader, I intend to deliver what we promised those voters right across our great country,” Ms. Truss said.
In a statement, outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered congratulations for what he called her “decisive win.”
“I know she has the right plan to tackle the cost of living crisis, unite our party, and continue the great work of uniting and leveling up our country,” Mr. Johnson said.
