LONDON, July 13 (Reuters) – British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will launch her campaign to succeed Boris Johnson as leader of Britain’s Conservative party and government on Thursday, pledging to make tough decisions to boost economic growth.
Liz Truss came third in the first round of voting organized in the ranks of the elected Conservatives, behind the former Minister of Finance, Rishi Sunak, and the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Penny Mordaunt.
“I am ready to become Prime Minister. I am able to lead, to make difficult decisions and to rise to the occasion,” said Liz Truss, according to excerpts from her speech released by her campaign team.
The Foreign Secretary will promise to support Britons cope with the rising cost of living by reversing the increase in social security contributions which came into force in April, as well as reducing the tax burden on businesses and implementing economic reforms.
The candidate who obtains the fewest votes in Thursday’s ballot will be eliminated. Other ballots will be organized among the Conservatives to reduce the number of potential candidates, six today, two by July 21.
The new leader of the Conservative party will then be chosen from these two candidates by the party’s 200,000 members, and the winner will be announced on September 5. (Report Kylie MacLellan; French version Camille Raynaud)