New prime minister: Hour-by-hour guide to Liz Truss's first days as Tory leader

New prime minister: Hour-by-hour guide to Liz Truss's first days as Tory leader

Liz Truss has been announced as Britain's next prime minister after a gruelling eight-week leadership campaign

By

Daniel Martin,

 DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR

6 September 2022 • 6:14am

Liz Truss was unveiled as Britain’s next prime minister on Monday after a closely contested race with Rishi Sunak. 

Here is a timeline of how the her first few days are likely to play out:

Monday

12.30pm: Liz Truss was announced as the winner of the Tory leadership race. In her victory speech, she described the leadership contest as "one of the longest job interviews in history". 

She said the "hard fought campaign" had shown the "depth and breadth of talent in our Conservative Party". 

Afternoon and evening: Ms Truss finalised her choices for Cabinet and wider ministerial roles, as well as writing her prime ministerial speech.

Tuesday

7.30am: Boris Johnson makes his farewell speech on the steps of No 10. He then departs Downing Street for the last time and flies to Aberdeen airport.

The speech was brought forward by an hour because of fears that poor weather would mean the trip up to Balmoral would take longer.

Early morning: Ms Truss, as Mr Johnson's successor, flies up to Aberdeen on a separate plane in readiness to meet the Queen.

11.20am: Mr Johnson is due to arrive at the door of Balmoral Castle for his audience with the Queen. He will be ushered into the Drawing Room, where he will relinquish his role.

His departure will, as is the custom, be private and off camera.

12.10pm: Ms Truss will arrive at the Castle door ready for her audience, which is expected to last for around 30 minutes before she departs at around 12.40pm. 

The new PM's departure, as is the custom, will be filmed. 

2pm: Ms Truss flies back to London. On the plane, she could be briefed by officials on national security matters she needs to know as prime minister.

4pm: She will arrive in Downing Street and make her first speech as prime minister.

Later on Tuesday afternoon: The new prime minister makes senior Cabinet appointments and holds further meetings with civil servants.

She will receive the nuclear codes and write "letters of last resort" to commanders of Trident-carrying submarines with instructions for what to do in the event of Britain and its Government being wiped out by a nuclear attack. 

Tuesday evening: Ms Truss will take congratulatory phone calls from world leaders. She has already said her first call will be to Ukraine’s President Zelensky.

The Telegraph - 6 Sept. 2022  6.14 am