Liz Truss Becomes Tory Leader And New PM

Liz Truss has beaten Rishi Sunak to become the new leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister, winning by 81,326 votes to 60,399.

Truss has promised to deliver a "bold plan to cut taxes and grow our economy".

The 47-year-old will be the UK's third female PM when she is formally appointed by the Queen at Balmoral Castle today, Tuesday 06 September.

Congratulating ms Truss on her victory, DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: "We congratulate Liz Truss on this achievement. We have already requested an early meeting with the new Prime Minister to address the challenges in Northern Ireland both with the Protocol and our approach to energy and food security.

"To address the cost-of-living crisis in Northern Ireland, the Government must replace the Northern Ireland Protocol with arrangements which restore our place in the United Kingdom.

"The energy and food security of the United Kingdom will require an immediate and robust response from the new Prime Minister. Yet both areas are heavily restricted under the Protocol.

"Whilst this week marks the election of a new Prime Minister, it also marks one year since I publicly warned the Government and Brussels that operating devolved government was incompatible with the Northern Ireland Protocol.

"Following that speech, we gave 21 weeks for negotiations between London and Brussels to find a way forward which unionists could support. Brussels was unyielding and both in May and June this year, the EU stated that there could be "no renegotiation" of the Protocol.

"The then Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was right to press ahead with the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill last June. This action was welcomed across the unionist family in Northern Ireland. Whilst in essence it is only enabling legislation, the bill will give Ministers the power to set aside the harmful parts of the Protocol.

"It would help Northern Ireland and the entire United Kingdom, if the NI Protocol Bill can be moved forward as expeditiously as possible so as Ministers in Treasury can use their substantial firepower to help all parts of the United Kingdom in this cost-of-living crisis."

Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill has written to the British Prime Minister seeking a firm commitment to work to restore the Executive here to put money in the pockets of workers and families who are struggling with the cost-of-living emergency.

Michelle O'Neill said: "The first task now for Liz Truss is to immediately work to restore the Executive and Assembly so we can help people who are struggling with rising costs.

"Workers, families and small businesses are struggling with energy bills that are simply out of control and unaffordable. They need help now to tackle this cost-of-living emergency.

"The British government must act now to cut people's bills and stop big energy companies from ripping people off by taking real action.

"Sinn Féin is ready to form an Executive today to put money in the pockets of workers and families and invest an extra £1 billion in our health service.

"We need a change of policy and a change of tack from the British government.

"Liz Truss should stop facilitating the DUP's destructive and self serving boycott of government, she should end her sabre-rattling and reckless threats to break international law and get back to the table for talks with the EU to find solutions and give certainty to our businesses.

"The fact that she is the fourth British Prime Minister in ten years, is a reminder that the Tory chaos at Westminster has failed ordinary people and put its own interests first.

"We need a change of tack from this British government. One that honours international agreements and respects the outcome of the Assembly election in May when people voted for real change."