The Shortest-Serving Prime Minister in British History: A Chronology of Truss's Reign
Subheadline: From Victory to Resignation in Just 49 Days
Liz Truss's tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom was remarkably brief, lasting only 49 days. She became the shortest-serving Prime Minister in British history, a record previously held by George Canning, who died in office after serving for 119 days in 1827.
A Timeline of Truss's Reign:
September 6, 2022: Truss is elected leader of the Conservative Party, defeating Rishi Sunak in a party-wide vote.
September 8, 2022: Truss is appointed Prime Minister by Queen Elizabeth II.
September 14, 2022: Truss appoints Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
September 23, 2022: Kwarteng unveils a controversial mini-budget that leads to turmoil in the financial markets.
October 14, 2022: Truss and Kwarteng announce a U-turn on some of the mini-budget policies.
October 20, 2022: Kwarteng is sacked as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
October 23, 2022: Jeremy Hunt is appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer.
October 24, 2022: Truss announces her resignation as Prime Minister, making her the shortest-serving Prime Minister in British history.
Legacy and Impact:
Truss's brief tenure as Prime Minister was marked by political turmoil and economic instability. Her mini-budget, which was widely criticized, caused significant damage to the UK economy. Her resignation triggered a leadership contest within the Conservative Party, which resulted in the election of Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister.
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