The New Tory Leader Prepares for Cabinet Appointments and International Calls

Liz Truss, the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, is set to take the reins as the United Kingdom’s prime minister, succeeding Boris Johnson. After securing the top position in the Tory leadership contest, Truss’ first few days in office are expected to be filled with significant ceremonial duties, crucial appointments, and international outreach.

Following her victory, Truss will focus on finalising her Cabinet choices and preparing her first address to the nation. However, before officially becoming prime minister, she must wait until the following day to cross the iconic threshold of No 10 Downing Street.

In an unusual break from tradition, Truss and Johnson will travel to Balmoral, Scotland, for her appointment, rather than Buckingham Palace. This departure from the usual London-based proceedings means that the outgoing and incoming prime ministers will make a 500-mile journey to meet with the Queen. Johnson is expected to leave No 10 early in the morning for a farewell address before heading to Balmoral, where he will tender his resignation. Truss will then arrive for her own audience with the Queen, where she will formally be asked to form a new government.

Once Truss receives the Queen’s approval, she will return to London to deliver her first speech as prime minister around 4pm. As she enters Downing Street, she will be welcomed by the Cabinet Secretary and staff, followed by security and intelligence briefings, including the delivery of the nuclear codes.

Truss will also make key Cabinet appointments, with speculation suggesting Kwasi Kwarteng may be named Chancellor and James Cleverly as Foreign Secretary. The reshuffle may take longer than anticipated due to the travel schedule, with briefings and congratulatory calls from world leaders such as US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky taking place throughout the day.

The following morning, Truss will meet with her new Cabinet, and later face her first Prime Minister’s Questions, where she will go head-to-head with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. As she begins her term, Truss will have to address significant challenges, including the cost-of-living crisis, the ongoing situation in Ukraine, and mounting industrial unrest.