Britain says goodbye to Boris as third female Prime Minister takes over top job
New British Prime Minister Liz Truss has taken the keys to No. 10 Downing Street after the Queen formally asked her to form government
READING LEVEL: ORANGE
Liz Truss is the new Conservative* leader and the UK’s third female prime minister.
Ms Truss netted 81,326 votes, compared to her rival Rishi Sunak who landed 60,399.
“It’s an honour to be elected,” she said after the announcement. “It was the longest job interview in the country.
“I will deliver a bold plan to cut taxes and grow our economy. I will deliver on the energy crisis, dealing with people’s energy bills, but also dealing with the long-term issues we have on energy supply.
“And I will deliver the National Health Service … We will deliver a great victory for the Conservative Party in 2024.”
The winner of the leadership contest convinced the 180,000 party members she was the woman for the top job over former chancellor* Mr Sunak.
As the 15th prime minister under Queen Elizabeth II, on Tuesday Ms Truss collected the keys to No. 10 Downing Street*, where she will start the big job of reassuring Britons that help is coming with the cost of living.
Congratulating her on winning 57 per cent of the vote, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted: “I look forward to a continued constructive* relationship and friendship between our nations and people.”
Outgoing PM Boris Johnson congratulated her “decisive* win,” tweeting: “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 levelling up our country. Now is the time for all Conservatives to get behind her 100 per cent.”
Mr Johnson’s wife Carrie Symonds congratulated the incoming Prime Minister with a photograph of her family entering number 10 Downing Street for the last time.
In an Instagram post, she shared a photo of the four of them going through the famous black door.
“Going through the number 10 door together for the last time,” she wrote.
“I expect Wilf and Romy won’t remember it but they’ve had an incredibly happy start to their lives growing up here.
“Thank you so much to all the lovely people at Downing Street and Chequers* who have been so incredibly kind to us – particularly to our children. Best of luck to Liz and her family.”
Ms Truss’s female predecessor* Theresa May, in office for three years from 2016, wrote: “We must now work together to address the challenges facing our country. Tackling the cost of living, delivering for those in need and managing the public finances responsibly. I look forward to supporting the government in that task.”
Mr Sunak thanked his supporters.
“I’ve said throughout that the Conservatives are one family,” he wrote. “It’s right we now unite behind the new PM, Liz Truss, as she steers the country through difficult times.”
Ms Truss is the country’s fourth prime minister in six years.
Her dress sense and love of social media and photo opportunities – posing in a tank in Estonia* and wearing a fur hat in Moscow – have earned Ms Truss comparisons to former Tory leader Margaret Thatcher, nicknamed The Iron Lady.
Ms Truss has become more relaxed after being criticised for her cold manner with supporters, revealing her passion for karaoke* and socialising.
In a break from tradition, Ms Truss made a 1600km round trip to the Scottish Highlands to be officially asked to form a government after it was confirmed the Queen would remain at her Balmoral estate for the meeting rather than return to Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace earlier confirmed the monarch would not “kiss the hands” of the new leader, as has traditionally been the case in her 70-year rule with 14 of her previously appointed PMs, prompting fresh concerns for the 96-year-old’s health.
The Queen has battled health issues since last autumn and her aides confirmed she will stay at Balmoral until October.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said the Queen has mobility issues “but mentally she’s as fit as a fiddle.”
GLOSSARY
- Conservatives: one of three main political parties in the UK, Tories support right-leaning ideas and policies
- chancellor: senior minister of the Crown in the British government
- 10 Downing St: official residence and offices of the British prime minister
- constructive: useful, productive, intended to help or improve something
- decisive: conclusive, final, beyond doubt
- Chequers: official country home of the British prime minister
- predecessor: someone who had a job or a position before someone else
- Estonia: a republic in northeastern Europe on the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic
- karaoke: Japanese entertainment, singing words of popular songs to prerecorded music
- mobility: ability to move freely and easily
EXTRA READING
Australia’s system of government
Party time to mark Queen’s historic reign
Young Aussies quite keen on Queen
QUICK QUIZ
- Who did Liz Truss defeat in the leadership vote to become leader of the Conservatives?
- How many female prime ministers have there been in the UK?
- Which former British prime minister earned the nickname The Iron Lady?
- What percentage of Conservative Party members voted for PM Truss?
- Who formally asked Ms Truss to form government and what was different this time?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Prime Minister and family
The new British prime minister, Liz Truss, is only the third female British prime minister. She is married with two daughters. How do you think family life will change for Ms Truss, her husband and children now she has the top job?
What do you think her daughters will think about moving into the most famous address in England, 10 Downing Street, the prime ministerial residence?
What changes might they have to make as a family?
Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Personal and Social; Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
How would you feel if your mum was elected into such an important and high-powered job?
Do you think Ms Truss can manage such an important job as well as being a mum and wife?
Why do you think it seems a little easier for a man to take on these high-powered jobs than a woman?
Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Personal and Social; Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
1. News: condensed
Identify the most important pieces of information in this article and write a condensed version of it using 50 words or less.
Draw a picture or diagram to support your condensed news story.
Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Science