Well, that’s that. The disastrous premiership of Liz Truss will come to an end next week after 52 days in office, the shortest tenure in British political history. Who can replace her? Someone with a strong stomach, a glutton for punishment and a taste for sipping from a poisoned chalice. Below Mr S runs his eye over the likely candidates and a few no hopers…
Rishi Sunak – The obvious favourite but there’s still a sizeable anti-Sunak caucus in the party. The detractors may call him ‘fishy Rishi’ but his supporters crow that he got the big calls right.
Boris Johnson – Can at least claim some kind of mandate, having won the 2019 election. As Churchill’s biographer, Johnson will be all too keen to encourage talk of a comeback. But what about that Privileges investigation?
Penny Mordaunt – Missed out on the final two last time by a handful of votes.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in