it's midday on monday 5th september. good afternoon from downing street, and here we go again. the united kingdom is expecting its fourth prime minister in the space of six years. at around 12.30 today we'll find out who is to take over from borisjohnson as leader of the conservative party and be appointed prime minister by the queen tomorrow. liz truss and rishi sunak have been campaigning all summer after boris johnson was forced

to announce his resignation in early july following repeated criticism of his conduct in government. the decision on who the new prime minister will be is down to a relatively small group of 160,000 conservative party members. borisjohnson will formally resign tomorrow and the the queen will then ask liz truss or rishi sunak to form a government. u nfortu nately, we unfortunately, we have some technical issues with our link to huw, but there is a picture of the door at no 10, who will be walking into it as the new prime minister? we are half an hour away from that announcement. and as huw mentioned, it will be the fourth prime minister in six years. so, the scene is set at the qeii conference centre, which is just around the corner from downing street. as you can see,

there is a large press contingent gathered there, waiting for the announcement. and around the corner is where the announcement will be made. we can see all of the journalists lined up, the cameras trained on the door of no 10, and the mps are in the building not very far away, which is where sir graham brady, chairman of the 1922 committee, will be announcing the result of the vote. we've been asking voters in birmingham what are their concerns. everything's to do with the cost of living, isn't it? everything's gone up, nothing's coming down. us pensioners, we're struggling. my bills have gone double now, my electric and gas, from £90 to 130 to 150. it's disgraceful. we keep talking, do - we choose to eat or heat? that is the reality. we are going to struggle. prices are ridiculous. -

my bills have gone up threefold. i'm a single person, i one wage coming in, all the bills are going up, | and still my wage has got to pay all these bills. at the moment, the concern is the economy, everything is skyrocketing and people need to live lives, and people have to cut down on essentials, just to feed themselves, and to stay afloat. the economy and the prices of gas and electric, and getting people out of poverty. i think that's the main thing to focus on right now. that is the views of some voters in birmingham. let's see inside the queen elizabeth ii conference centre, and that is where, as you can see, a very full room as they wait for that announcement from sir graham brady as to who will be the next leader of the conservative party. let's see who is going to

step out of these cars, because we've been seeing all of the mps arriving, this looks like it is going to be a seniorfigure arriving, this looks like it is going to be a senior figure about to step out of one of those cars and head into the building. but the entirety presumably of all of the conservative mps are in that building. they voted initially in the leadership contest, and then, from a large field of contenders at the start, the numbers were whittled down to two, and those two contenders, rishi sunak and liz truss, went to the country for the vote. and that was basically the members of the conservative party, 160,000 of them. so, as we continue to look inside the building there, and the audience gathered and waiting, our correspondent chris mason is also in there. chris, not long to go now, then, until we find

out? . �* , long to go now, then, until we find out? ., �*, ~ , out? that's right. about 25 minutes or so, and out? that's right. about 25 minutes or so. and in _ out? that's right. about 25 minutes or so, and in about _ out? that's right. about 25 minutes or so, and in about 20 _ out? that's right. about 25 minutes or so, and in about 20 minutes, - out? that's right. about 25 minutesj or so, and in about 20 minutes, the orso, and in about 20 minutes, the two candidates backstage, in private, liz truss and rishi sunak, will be told the result. and then at 12.30 we will hear from the conservative party chairman, andrew stephenson, for a couple of minutes, and i am told at 12.37 we will hear from sir graham brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee, of conservative backbenchers, the returning officer in chief for the multiple rounds of elections, when the party was whittling down the wannabes to just two, back injuly. he will take to the podium behind me and announced the result, and we will then hear from the winner, widely expected to travel to be liz truss. i have been mingling around in the room and in the first couple of rows, there is a allocated seating, a four pages printed out with names on the seats. immediately to the left, on this side of the gangway, a seat for sir graham

brady, and immediately to the right, you 0'leary, the husband of liz truss, and liz truss. to the right of that, rishi sunak. seniorfigures beginning to arrive in the room, and mingle around. enter your whom are confronted by a certain amount of jeopardy over their future careers, will they feature in the new government of liz truss which will take shape in the coming days? never mind careers at westminster, what really matters is what the government will do, and how soon will they act, on the big question of energy bills? we expect them to do something perhaps as soon as thursday, thursday is pencilled in for this big announcement on energy bills, it is promised to be big, thatis bills, it is promised to be big, that is their language, let's wait and see what they actually do. they know that they have to do something significant, given the turmoil that so many individuals and businesses are facing at the moment, confronted by ballooning bills.— by ballooning bills. chris, you 'ust said the government i by ballooning bills. chris, you 'ust said the government of i by ballooning bills. chris, you 'ust said the government of liz h by ballooning bills. chris, youjust said the government of liz truss, | said the government of liz truss, the expectations are that it is

going to be liz truss, and as you say, there has been reporting on who is going to be in the team, but we still have to wait for that final confirmation, which is not long away? confirmation, which is not long awa ? ~ ., confirmation, which is not long awa 7~ ., ., confirmation, which is not long awa ? ~ ., ., ., confirmation, which is not long awa? ., ., ., ., confirmation, which is not long awa ? ~ ., ., ., ., ., confirmation, which is not long awa? ., ., ., ., ., ., away? we do have to wait for that final confirmation, _ away? we do have to wait for that final confirmation, were _ away? we do have to wait for that final confirmation, were it - away? we do have to wait for that final confirmation, were it to - away? we do have to wait for that final confirmation, were it to be . final confirmation, were it to be rishi sunak, there is that old cliche about egg on face, there would be shipped. 0f cliche about egg on face, there would be shipped. of the world's greatest landing on my head, and plenty of others amongst the press pack, because when you speak to the two camps, and this has been the case for weeks and weeks, neither side were disputing that liz truss was going to win. there was an argument about the margin, which would be crucial, is it as a significant as some of those opinion polls? quite hard to poll party members because there are not that many of them, and they are scattered all across the uk. so, the pollsters acknowledge that that has been difficult, but such has been the margin in their polling, that is where we get our confidence from, because even if they are a little

bit wrong, the gap is still likely to be large enough that liz truss will emerge the winner. but you're absolutely right, until we actually hear the numbers, we are still indulging in a bit of speculation, evenif indulging in a bit of speculation, even if it is, touch wood, well—informed. even if it is, touch wood, well-informed.— even if it is, touch wood, well-informed. , , , well-informed. and 'ust briefly, if it is liz truss, h well-informed. and 'ust briefly, if it is liz truss, she — well-informed. and just briefly, if it is liz truss, she was _ well-informed. and just briefly, if it is liz truss, she was not - well-informed. and just briefly, if it is liz truss, she was not the - it is liz truss, she was not the choice of mps, how difficult is that going to be for her to manage, along with all of the other challenges about what happens going forward for the country with the cost of living? there is no doubt that that is difficult. without question, particularly when you compare the level of support at least initially that she had amongst her own colleagues here at westminster, compared with predecessors, boris johnson, david cameron, theresa may, for instance. so, there is a binding together process that needs to happen for the conservatives, because the nature of a leadership race is that you fall out in public

for months on end, and that is exact in what has happened. i was joking with a seniorfigure in what has happened. i was joking with a senior figure on their way in here and i ask them that question, and they said, look, we do this often enough and we know what will happen afterwards, and we can expect a spectacular public outbreaks of support for liz truss, even if individuals were not individually supportive in the first place. but eventually, there is likely to be a quite vocal caucus who are not particularly reconciled to the idea of her as prime minister and could start causing elements of agitation. there is another curve ball to think about, and that is borisjohnson. yes, he is leaving downing street but president would suggest he is not going to vanish from public life never to be seen again. he's not that kind of character, is he? so, what does he do, what does he say publicly? i think we can expect to hear him defend what he regards as the central aspects of his record, the central aspects of his record, the relationship with president zelensky in ukraine, expect him to

have a phone call with the president this afternoon whilst he is still prime minister, levelling up, a big thing at the centre of boris johnson's agenda, perhaps less significant to the incoming government. so, we will hearfrom him, and there have been prime minister is in the past to have been nervous backseat drivers, he could be a backseat driver, where he to choose to be. i suspect in the first instance, he won't. he will give a speech in downing street tomorrow morning before resigning, and i suspect he will publicly emphasise, as he did in the daily express over the weekend, that the party must come together. easier said than done, though. come together. easier said than done. though-— done, though. well, that is the olitics. done, though. well, that is the politics. let's _ done, though. well, that is the politics. let's have _ done, though. well, that is the politics. let's have a _ done, though. well, that is the politics. let's have a look- done, though. well, that is the politics. let's have a look in - done, though. well, that is the i politics. let's have a look in more detail now at the scale of the economic challenges for the new prime minister. 0ur economics editor faisal islam has been looking at the numbers. this is the economic reality facing the new prime minister. inflation at 10%, reality facing the new prime minister. inflation at10%, heading for15%, perhaps minister. inflation at10%, heading for 15%, perhaps 20%. the economy,

generally, already falling and heading for a 1990s style recession, according to the bank of england. at the core of it all, energy prices, an average household's inflation—adjusted energy bill over the past few decades onto the real questions about whether households can actually afford that line at the war in ukraine continues, there is little chance of energy prices falling significantly, so what can the next leader do? we are expected in some sort of significant effort to help people with bills for a system of repayment on bills over several years, system of repayment on bills over severalyears, but system of repayment on bills over several years, but as yet there is no detail. if liz truss wins, she says she will help people keep more of their money by cutting taxes and reversing the rise in national insurance and cancelling a planned £17 billion rise in taxes on corporate profits, but trying to do all of this at the same time would require a lot more borrowing, at a delicate time in the markets. in

summary, it is an economically troubling time with an ominous decision over what to prioritise, the energy rescue, or tax cuts, leading to be made within days, and impacting every household in the country. faisal islam there, with the scale of the economic challenges facing the new prime minister. we can now talk to pauljohnson from the institute for fiscal studies, who is at college green, right by parliament. paul, we are a quarter of an hour or parliament. paul, we are a quarter ofan hour orso parliament. paul, we are a quarter of an hour or so away from hearing who will be picking up the reins, and what we've been hearing from liz truss has been about her agenda of taxcutting, and more over the time has come into the mix about what she would potentially do on support for people with those energy bills, what is your view of how affordable what she has been saying is?— is your view of how affordable what she has been saying is? well, we're lookin: at she has been saying is? well, we're looking at life _

she has been saying is? well, we're looking at life think— she has been saying is? well, we're looking at life think an _ she has been saying is? well, we're looking at life think an energy - looking at life think an energy package which could easily hit £100 million. that is a staggeringly large number, that is more than we spent on furlough through covid. so, the scale of the costs simply of helping households with their energy bills is going to be enormous. there is then going to be very big increases next year in spending on pensions and welfare, because of high inflation, and big increases in spending on debt interest because debt interest rates are rising and because inflation is high, and she will, however, liz truss, the prime minister, will have to find very substantial sums as well for our public services, schools and hospitals and so on, because they, too, are suffering from this increased inflation. in that context, it is a very difficult judgements as to whether there is money left to cut taxes or indeed not to increase them, in the way that her government, the conservative government, had proposed over the next two or three years. if you are also, as she seems to be, looking at £30 billion worth

of cuts in taxes, then the consequences for the public finances and potentially for inflation could be quite significant. [30 and potentially for inflation could be quite significant.— be quite significant. do you think there is anyway _ be quite significant. do you think there is anyway at _ be quite significant. do you think there is anyway at all— be quite significant. do you think there is anyway at all that - be quite significant. do you think- there is anyway at all that somebody could do both of those things are? well, clearly you could decide to do that. the question then is what risk you are taking. and the more that you are taking. and the more that you end up borrowing, because you're spending more, a lot more, and taxing less, a lot less, the amount you are borrowing will go up a lot, and that creates risks for inflation, probably means interest rates will go up faster and further than they otherwise would have done, and it also potentially takes some risks with the financial markets, who, don't forget, have to buy all of that debt all of that borrowing, which is being created. and if the uk is doing this in a way that is different and more worrying to the markets than other countries, then they may find that it is more difficult or more expensive to sell

that debt. at the same time, you mentioned inflation, 10.1%, and we are seeing increasing strike action and talk of come as workers demand pay rises to deal with that, because of course, the cost of living is hitting people hard in the pocket. that the cost of living is hitting people hard in the pocket.— hard in the pocket. that is a particularly _ hard in the pocket. that is a particularly his _ hard in the pocket. that is a particularly big issue - hard in the pocket. that is a particularly big issue in - hard in the pocket. that is a particularly big issue in the | hard in the pocket. that is a - particularly big issue in the public sector, and we are looking at something like 5% pay increases across most of the public sector — teachers, nurses and so one — over the next year, in the face of inflation already up 10% and likely to go quite a lot higher than that. that is a big real pay cut for all of those workers in the public sector, who don't forget are the most unionised part of the economy. the private sector is not terribly highly unionised on the whole, and public sector pay has done even worse than that in the private sector over the last ten or 15

years. the average teacher and nurse earns less today than they did back in 2010. putting that level of pay cut, at least a 5% real pay cut on top of what has been happening over recent years, is clearly going to antagonise the unions in the public sector, where the unions remain strong. sector, where the unions remain stronu. . ., sector, where the unions remain stronu. ., ~' ,, , sector, where the unions remain stronu. . ., ,, , . sector, where the unions remain stron.. ., ,, i. , . ., strong. thank you very much, paul johnson, strong. thank you very much, paul johnson. from _ strong. thank you very much, paul johnson, from the _ strong. thank you very much, paul johnson, from the institute - strong. thank you very much, paul johnson, from the institute for- johnson, from the institute for fiscal studies. back to downing street and my colleague, huw edwards. apologies for technical gremlins entertaining us today. back in downing street, where the new prime minister will be installed tomorrow, sometime tomorrow afternoon, having returned from scotland, having seen the queen, to be appointed as prime minister. the queen is in residence at balmoral castle. unusually, the queen will not be returning to

buckingham palace to welcome the new prime minister. the decision has been made that the queen will probably be more comfortable staying in balmoral at this point rather than making thatjourney. 0f in balmoral at this point rather than making thatjourney. of course, the crucial fact is that by tomorrow afternoon the new prime minister, we think liz truss, will be in place here, and no doubt vicki and i will be back here at that point to see what the new prime minister has to say. what kind of prime minister will she turn out to be? if it is how, what kind will she be? i have talked to lots _ how, what kind will she be? i have talked to lots of _ how, what kind will she be? i have talked to lots of friends _ how, what kind will she be? i have talked to lots of friends and - how, what kind will she be? i have| talked to lots of friends and people who have worked with her for years. she hasn't had a universal backing of her own mps. there wasn't this outpouring of love almost that there was for boris johnson. outpouring of love almost that there was for borisjohnson. she doesn't have that, definitely is the case. she has a philosophy, and ideology, she is very much a free marketeer, believes in low taxes. she has always been on that side of the argument. herfriends say always been on that side of the argument. her friends say she is a pragmatist. you can look at her

career. she has survived under three different prime ministers in the top jobs. her career has been written up a lot of times and yet she has stayed there around that cabinet table. herfriends say stayed there around that cabinet table. her friends say she can bring a team together, she is incredibly hard—working, that has come through from everybody, even her critics. those who say that she almost likes to shock a little bit too much, she is a bit black—and—white, latches onto an idea and won't let it go. will she listen to other points of view? i think that is a question. she is coming in at a time when there is a huge issue, lots of issues, facing the country. i think we can say she will run a tighter ship and more organised trip than we had on the borisjohnson. that is definitely the case. if you look at the tory party as a whole,, they just had a pretty brutal ousting of the current leader, and she has to bring them together. certainly labour would say it is a government

out of ideas. can she bring those ideas into number ten? an awful lot of challenge there. she has two years to do something about it, and i think it will not be dull. i think she will want to come in and make decisions, and make them quickly. i think she is quite impatient. people who have worked with her said she has not —— she is not a big fan of civil servants. anyone getting in the way of what she wants to do are a problem. she is often in meetings rolling her eyes at what civil servants are saying. it will be tricky for them.— tricky for them. that will be interesting, _ tricky for them. that will be interesting, to _ tricky for them. that will be interesting, to say - tricky for them. that will be | interesting, to say the least. thanks very much. it is 12:20pm, roughly, so we think we have ten or 15 minutes before that announcement is made. clearly, we will be back at the queen elizabeth centre when it happens. vicky mentioned a couple of the ideas. if you arejustjoining us, let's remind ourselves of the keyissues us, let's remind ourselves of the key issues that will be in the new prime minister's in tray from today.

as we have been hearing, rising energy bills, and for millions of people up and down the uk, this is it, this is the big issue. huge hikes, and the price cap set to hit over £3500 in october, predicted to rise above £5,300 injanuary — very daunting and alarming for many people. of course, inflation, currently at 10%, unthinkable a short while ago, but showing few signs of slowing down. the bank of england expects the economy to officially enter a recession in october, which will bring its own 0ctober, which will bring its own problems. then of course there are industrial relations, strikes taking place over pay and conditions across several industries, including key industries like the railways. still unresolved full stop and that is before you get to the health service. the nhs commanding lots of attention, understandably. a big backlog of operations and treatments

because of covid, and the challenges of the approaching winter. then the problem of social care and how to fund it, certainly in england and wales, not been tackled as it has been to a great extent in scotland. how will the new pm tackle the war in ukraine? if we look at the international landscape, there will be continued support for the government in kyiv, as i continued close relationship, we are sure, with president zelensky. if we look at the aftermath of brexit, we still have the migrant situation in the english channel, more than 25,000 migrants making that crossing in small vessels mostly this year. there is no end in sight to that. then of course we have the big question about the future of the united kingdom. the scottish government is determined to hold an independence referendum next year. they have asked the supreme court in the uk to decide on the legality of

that. that is coming up in a few weeks. in northern ireland, there is still no executive running matters. that's a long running stalemate. following brexit, of course, you have the issues around the northern ireland protocol, and that is to do with trading in northern ireland, setting out trading arrangements. and that is another matter that has to be tackled, and liz truss has been criticised, as have some others, for suggesting that parts of that protocol mightjust have to be overridden or ditched altogether if, as they put it, the eu doesn't change its approach. of course, the eu says, hang on a second, you signed this deal in good faith. borisjohnson signed it. it was meant to be a deal that was signed, sealed and delivered, you can't change your mind about it now, it is an international treaty. that is the kind of argument still going on. back to the queen elizabeth centre.

two conservative mps joining us. back to the queen elizabeth centre. two conservative mstoining us. mel stride backed mr sunak, and mr shel brooke, a supporter of liz truss. can i ask first of all how you think this will pan out today? if can i ask first of all how you think this will pan out today?— this will pan out today? if you believe the _ this will pan out today? if you believe the bookies _ this will pan out today? if you believe the bookies and - this will pan out today? if you believe the bookies and the i this will pan out today? if you - believe the bookies and the polls, it is very likely that liz truss will emerge as the victor today and be our next prime minister. of course, we won't know the answer to that question until the announcement is made. my fingers are crossed. mel, what is your reflection on the campaign? has it been a campaign you think has been a good advert the conservative party?— think has been a good advert the conservative party? personally, i think it probably _ conservative party? personally, i think it probably went _ conservative party? personally, i think it probably went on - conservative party? personally, i think it probably went on too - conservative party? personally, i. think it probably went on too long. ithink_ think it probably went on too long. i think it _ think it probably went on too long. i think it could have been a shorter campaign — i think it could have been a shorter campaign. it was in two parts. there was the _ campaign. it was in two parts. there was the parliamentary stage in which rishi sunak_ was the parliamentary stage in which rishi sunak topped the ballot, and the membership stage, the results of which _ the membership stage, the results of which we _ the membership stage, the results of which we will discover in a few moments _ which we will discover in a few moments. it was an opportunity at least _ moments. it was an opportunity at least for— moments. it was an opportunity at least for the candidates to get out there. _

least for the candidates to get out there, meet the membership, have the argument. _ there, meet the membership, have the argument, set out their stall for what _ argument, set out their stall for what they— argument, set out their stall for what they want to do if they are to be what they want to do if they are to he the _ what they want to do if they are to he the next — what they want to do if they are to be the next prime minister, but i think— be the next prime minister, but i think many— be the next prime minister, but i think many of us are pleased to draw a line _ think many of us are pleased to draw a line under— think many of us are pleased to draw a line underthe think many of us are pleased to draw a line under the contest and get on with the _ a line under the contest and get on with the business of government now. i can with the business of government now. i can see _ with the business of government now. i can see aleix nodding. how confident are you at this point? 0bviously, confident are you at this point? obviously, we have seen all the polls, we have seen the betting industry, and we have seen what members have been saying in our own respective parts of the world, so i think it would be an enormous upset if liz wasn't to win, but we will find out in a few moments. and if liz wasn't to win, but we will find out in a few moments. and what kind of prime — find out in a few moments. and what kind of prime minister— find out in a few moments. and what kind of prime minister will— find out in a few moments. and what kind of prime minister will she - find out in a few moments. and what kind of prime minister will she be - kind of prime minister will she be in terms of tone and style? let's leave policy to one side. tone and style, if indeed she does win today? liz has been a cabinet minister longer than anyone else, a minister since 2012. a lot of people have

seen lives in action. in my role on the nato parliamentary assembly, the reaction she gets around the world as foreign secretary is very positive. people find her somewhat they can talk to, who listens, who has clear views about what needs to be done, but someone who is very willing to listen to people and form what she believes to be the right approach at the right time. in your view, approach at the right time. in your view. aleix. _ approach at the right time. in your view, aleix, what _ approach at the right time. in your view, aleix, what does _ approach at the right time. in your view, aleix, what does she - approach at the right time. in your view, aleix, what does she need l approach at the right time. in your| view, aleix, what does she need to say if she does indeed win today? she has an opportunity to make a statement after the announcement by graham brady. what does she need to say chris because that message is notjust say chris because that message is not just for thousands of conservative party members, it's for millions of people watching and wondering who the new prime minister is and what she is likely to do. how important is that initial message? i'm not her speech writer, but ultimately, she is going to become the prime — ultimately, she is going to become the prime minister, and that means we are _ the prime minister, and that means we are governing the country. i have known _ we are governing the country. i have known liz _ we are governing the country. i have known liz for — we are governing the country. i have known liz for over 20 years and i know _ known liz for over 20 years and i know she — known liz for over 20 years and i know she is _ known liz for over 20 years and i know she is absolutely committed to the service _ know she is absolutely committed to the service of her country, the

service — the service of her country, the service of— the service of her country, the service of her constituents, and as you outline, — service of her constituents, and as you outline, huge numbers of really massive _ you outline, huge numbers of really massive issues in the inbox, and i think— massive issues in the inbox, and i think she — massive issues in the inbox, and i think she will make it crystal clear that she _ think she will make it crystal clear that she starts work straightaway, and that _ that she starts work straightaway, and that she will be working for the british— and that she will be working for the british people. and that she will be working for the british maple-— british people. mel, a final point to ou, british people. mel, a final point to you. given _ british people. mel, a final point to you, given that _ british people. mel, a final point to you, given that we _ british people. mel, a final point to you, given that we will - british people. mel, a final point to you, given that we will have i british people. mel, a final point i to you, given that we will have the line up of a new cabinet before too long. does that cabinet need to convey the message that she is trying to unite the party, trying to sound more conciliatory than she has done, for example, at times during the campaign? it’s done, for example, at times during the campaign?— the campaign? it's an important oint. we the campaign? it's an important point. we have _ the campaign? it's an important point. we have to _ the campaign? it's an important point. we have to unite - the campaign? it's an important point. we have to unite the - the campaign? it's an important l point. we have to unite the party. the campaign? it's an important. point. we have to unite the party. i personally— point. we have to unite the party. i personally am very committed to doing _ personally am very committed to doing that, whoever wins. that needs to he _ doing that, whoever wins. that needs to be reflected both in the cabinet and in _ to be reflected both in the cabinet and in the — to be reflected both in the cabinet and in the government more broadly. we need _ and in the government more broadly. we need to— and in the government more broadly. we need to have this as a meritocratic party in which all talents — meritocratic party in which all talents are brought together. if she does that, — talents are brought together. if she does that, she has the very best chance _ does that, she has the very best chance of— does that, she has the very best chance of bringing us together as a parliamentary party. let's face it, we have _ parliamentary party. let's face it, we have an — parliamentary party. let's face it, we have an election in under two

years— we have an election in under two years now. — we have an election in under two years now, and the real enemy that we all— years now, and the real enemy that we all have — years now, and the real enemy that we all have to face is cure starmer, and heaven— we all have to face is cure starmer, and heaven forbid some kind of hung parliament _ and heaven forbid some kind of hung parliament in which the snp are involved — parliament in which the snp are involved. —— kia starmer. we parliament in which the snp are involved. -- kia starmer. we will see what happens _ involved. -- kia starmer. we will see what happens in _ involved. -- kia starmer. we will see what happens in a _ involved. -- kia starmer. we will see what happens in a few - involved. -- kia starmer. we will i see what happens in a few minutes. thank you both very much. two conservative mps representing the two campaigns. that is the scene at the queen elizabeth ii conference centre, just across the road from westminster abbey, right at the heart of westminster, a stone's flow from downing street, where i'm talking to you now. the world's media are gathered there, along with members of the conservative party, along with ministers, cabinet ministers as currently stand, lots of them of course will be changing jobs and maybe even losing jobs, and some will be appointed for the first time, those backing liz truss especially harbouring high hopes of high office in the days ahead. we will be back here at the queen elizabeth centre for the

announcement of the new leader of the conservative party and new prime minister very shortly. it will happen injust a minister very shortly. it will happen in just a few minutes. before we look at that, it seems like a good moment, over the next few minutes, before that vote is announced, tojust minutes, before that vote is announced, to just reflect on the past eight weeks since borisjohnson was forced to stand down as prime minister after nearly 60 members of his government resigned because of his government resigned because of his handling of matters and his conduct in government as they saw it. there have been 12 hustings meetings in the campaign, fight when the bridge —— five television debate between the candidates. let's take a look at how we got here. i want you to know how sad i am to be giving up the bestjob in the world. but them's the breaks. i can now announce the result of the ballot held this afternoon. rishi sunak and liz truss will be the candidates

going forward to a final ballot of conservative party members. cheering. who will be our next prime minister? your proposals would mean that we get this short—term sugar rush... rishi, you have just put in the highest tax rate for 70 years. she gets out the car, happy faces, big cheer and applause. your foreign secretary, liz truss! britain loves an underdog. thank you, wembley! just a little flavour there, just to give you a sense of everything that has been packed into the past eight weeks or so, since borisjohnson emerged here and announced that he

was resigning. lots of talk about him, of course, and whether he would like to make a come back in the months and years to come. maybe we can reflect on that later on. but it seems a bit premature, given that today we're talking about the election of his successor, and of course the new prime minister. it is 12.30 now, so i think we will probably get to an announcement in about five minutes' time. vicki young is still with me. we can chat as we await this announcement, vicki, ithink as we await this announcement, vicki, i think i'm right in saying that there is an address by one of the parliamentary colleagues of liz truss rishi sunak before the announcement is made, that is a kind of party political pep talk, we are not proposing to take that, but we will wait for graham brady himself to appear. here is the speaker and the party for the podium, approaching right now. those are the images. you and i, vicki, can talk first of all about the announcement,

when it comes, and how important the margin will be. will people be right to be reading quite a lot into that margin, in terms of what exactly the mandate this new prime minister will have? in mandate this new prime minister will have? ,., ._ , mandate this new prime minister will have? , ., �* ., have? in some ways, don't forget, this is the — have? in some ways, don't forget, this is the conservative _ have? in some ways, don't forget, this is the conservative party - this is the conservative party membership, a very small, select group, they get to choose, we will get our say in a general election probably in a couple of years' time. i think actually once the result is in, i'm not sure how much it matters, i think what is important is the support amongst the parliamentary party. remember, lots of her mps have not even now come out publicly to back her. that is quite unusual. if the party goes against what the parliamentary party wants, then that can cause quite a lot of difficulty. some people will sayjeremy corbyn, it happened to him, he had hardly any backing amongst his parliamentary party, but the memory ship loved him and went for him, and it can cause a lot of problems. she inherits a very

healthy majority from boris johnson, so, there shouldn't be too many problems in the parliamentary side, unless of course she tries to do things which they find very controversial. so, ithink things which they find very controversial. so, i think that is the key thing here, bringing that divided party together, a party that has been in powerfor a very long time, been through incredibly difficult times, a financial crash, going back to those days, the coalition, and now, the energy crisis, covid, it has been eight or to time, but i think even having said that, there are lots of people who feel that the party, the government, has somehow lost its way, what is it in powerfor? what is it going to do? it is that that liz truss, assuming it is going to be her, wants to try and change, she wants to come in with clear ideas, she wants to make announcements quickly and she wants to deliver, things that all politicians say they want to do, but she wants a team around her that can do it, and the suggested make—up of the cabinet that we have had so far, and i have

not heard many people say that what we have seen is not the case, it is very much her people, there are not that many people at the moment being named in those big roles who didn't back her. some people think that is going to be a mistake, that she would not be bringing in the likes of rishi sunak into a big role, or any of his supporters. now, is that bringing the party together, or will it lead to further division? i think thatis it lead to further division? i think that is another key issue about how this party and this government goes ahead and try to tackle the problems that are coming. b5 ahead and try to tackle the problems that are coming.— that are coming. as we look at these imaues, that are coming. as we look at these images. and — that are coming. as we look at these images. and this _ that are coming. as we look at these images, and this is _ that are coming. as we look at these images, and this is the _ that are coming. as we look at these images, and this is the introductory l images, and this is the introductory speech at the session where they will shortly announce the result of the conservative leadership election, we expect graham brady to be stepping up within the next few minutes to give us the result, as we look at these images, vicki, they will be people watching thinking, how in touch are these people? they've been immersed in this internal battle, the country is in a bit of a state, people are alarmed and terrified in some cases about rising bills, the state of the economy generally, we are looking at

a recession, and this party, according to critics, looks as if it is more obsessed with its internal politics, do you think that is a fair criticism, orto politics, do you think that is a fair criticism, or to put it another way, how aware are they of that criticism? i way, how aware are they of that criticism? ., , , criticism? i think they will be. of course there _ criticism? i think they will be. of course there was _ criticism? i think they will be. of course there was on _ criticism? i think they will be. of course there was on the - criticism? i think they will be. of. course there was on the campaign trail will have been immersed in all of that. they have constituents, they know what people are going through. and it is only going to get worse. it has felt self—indulgent, the process is incredibly long, lots of people in the party saying, we have got to change this. it is particularly a major issue when you're in government. they have now done this several times whilst being in government. this is not an opposition party switching leaders every now and again because they can't get on, this is a party that is in government, now has the task of tackling these massive, huge problems affecting people is day—to—day lives, and imminently, and lots of people, tories as well as others, have said, that more should have been done earlier. they will say, nadhim zahawi, the man who is currently chancellor but will not

stay in that role, he has been working on things, civil servants, the government machine, has been working on things, and they have been discussing it. liz truss's team of course will not be announced and then... and here we can see them now coming forward, the two candidates. so, they are approaching and taking their seats on the front row. surrounded by their own supporters. and of course er... liz surrounded by their own supporters. and of course er. . .— and of course er... liz truss's husband _ and of course er... liz truss's husband sitting _ and of course er... liz truss's husband sitting next - and of course er... liz truss's husband sitting next to - and of course er... liz truss's husband sitting next to her. i and of course er... liz truss's i husband sitting next to her. and therese coffey _ husband sitting next to her. and therese coffeyjust sitting behind. and i can see michael fabricant behind her, so, a good representation of ministers and backbenchers for and now sir graham brady with the result of this conservative leadership election of 2022. ., ~ conservative leadership election of 2022. . ~ conservative leadership election of 2022. . ., 2022. thank you, good afternoon, everybody- — 2022. thank you, good afternoon, everybody- 0n _ 2022. thank you, good afternoon, everybody. on the _ 2022. thank you, good afternoon, everybody. on the 7th _ 2022. thank you, good afternoon, everybody. on the 7th of- 2022. thank you, good afternoon, everybody. on the 7th ofjuly, - 2022. thank you, good afternoon, everybody. on the 7th ofjuly, the| everybody. 0n the 7th ofjuly, the prime _ everybody. 0n the 7th ofjuly, the prime minister announced his resignation as leader of our party. the 1922— resignation as leader of our party. the 1922 committee then organised five ballots over an eight day

period. — five ballots over an eight day period, concluding the part of the leadership election for which we have _ leadership election for which we have responsibility. and putting forward — have responsibility. and putting forward a — have responsibility. and putting forward a candidate to the national convention — forward a candidate to the national convention and cc hq for the programme of hustings all over the united _ programme of hustings all over the united kingdom and the ballot of the mothership that has now concluded. i worked _ mothership that has now concluded. i worked closely with the board of the party, _ worked closely with the board of the party, cc _ worked closely with the board of the party, cc hq and pacifica electoral services _ party, cc hq and pacifica electoral services to— party, cc hq and pacifica electoral services to ensure that all qualifying members have the opportunity to vote and to ensure that our— opportunity to vote and to ensure that our ballot wasn't secure, as well as— that our ballot wasn't secure, as well as free and fair. i would like to thank— well as free and fair. i would like to thank the 1922 executive, and in particular— to thank the 1922 executive, and in particular my fellow officers... and our staff, _ particular my fellow officers... and our staff, for— particular my fellow officers... and our staff, for all of their help and support, — our staff, for all of their help and support, especially during the ministrations of the parliamentary rounds— ministrations of the parliamentary rounds of— ministrations of the parliamentary rounds of voting. i would like to thank— rounds of voting. i would like to thank the — rounds of voting. i would like to thank the party board and staff for all their— thank the party board and staff for all their hard work organising the hustings, — all their hard work organising the hustings, which allowed so many members — hustings, which allowed so many members to see the candidates in

action, _ members to see the candidates in action, whether in person or online. i'm action, whether in person or online. i'm grateful— action, whether in person or online. i'm grateful to ces for the professionalism with which they have dealt with— professionalism with which they have dealt with the ballot, counting the votes. _ dealt with the ballot, counting the votes, both online and by post. finally— votes, both online and by post. finally i— votes, both online and by post. finally i want to thank all the party— finally i want to thank all the party members who have taken this responsibility very seriously all the candidates who put themselves forward _ the candidates who put themselves forward for the election, and in particular— forward for the election, and in particular my colleagues wish you soon _ particular my colleagues wish you soon i _ particular my colleagues wish you soon i can— particular my colleagues wish you soon i can liz truss. who ran such excellent — soon i can liz truss. who ran such excellent campaigns in the full glare _ excellent campaigns in the full glare of— excellent campaigns in the full glare of media scrutiny and who showed — glare of media scrutiny and who showed themselves to be outstanding candidates to be the leader of our party _ party. applause. now, the result. aye, sir graham brady, the returning officerfor the conservative and unionist party,

leadership election, declare that the total number of eligible voters was 172,437. the turnout in the election was 82.6%. the total number of votes rejected was 654. the total number of valid votes given to each candidate was as follows... rishi sunak, 60,399. liz truss, 81,326. therefore give notice that liz truss is elected as the leader of the conservative and unionist party. applause. applause. applause and cheering.

thank you, thank you very much. well, thank you, sir graham. it is an honour to be elected as leader of the conservative and unionist party. i would like to thank the 1922 committee, the party chairman and the conservative party for organising one of the longestjob interviews in history. thank you very much. i would also like to thank my family, my friends, my political colleagues, and all of those who helped on this campaign, i'm incredibly grateful for all of your support. i'm incredibly grateful for all of yoursupport. i i'm incredibly grateful for all of your support. i would like to pay tribute to my fellow candidates,

particularly rishi sunak, it has been a hardfought campaign, i think we have shown the depth and breadth of talent in our conservative party. applause. and i also want to thank our outgoing leader, my friend, boris johnson. applause. boris, you got brexit done. you crush tojeremy corbyn. you rolled out the vaccine, and you stood up to vladimir putin. you are admired, from kyiv to carlisle.

applause. friends and colleagues, thank you for putting your faith in friends and colleagues, thank you for putting yourfaith in me friends and colleagues, thank you for putting your faith in me to lead our great conservative party, the greatest political party on earth. applause. i know that our beliefs resonate with the british people our beliefs in freedom, in the ability to control your own life, in low taxes, in personal responsibility. and i know that's why people voted for us in such numbers in 2019. and as your party leader, i intend to deliver what we promise those voters right across our great country.

applause. during this leadership campaign, i campaigned as a conservative, and i will govern as a conservative. applause. and my friends, we need to show that we will deliver over the next two years. i will deliver a we will deliver over the next two years. iwill deliver a bold plan we will deliver over the next two years. i will deliver a bold plan to cut taxes and grow our economy. i will deliver on the energy crisis, dealing with people is energy bills, but also dealing with the long—term issues we have on energy supply.

and i will deliver on the national health service. applause. but we all will deliver for our country, and i will make sure that we use all the fantastic talents of the conservative party, our brilliant members of parliament and peers, ourfantastic brilliant members of parliament and peers, our fantastic councillors, our mss, our msps, all of our councillors and activists and members right across our country. because, my friends, i know that we will deliver, we will deliver and we will deliver, we will deliver and we will deliver. and we... applause. and we will deliver a great victory

for the conservative party in 2024. thank you. applause. liz truss, who hasjust liz truss, who has just been elected as leader of the conservative party to succeed borisjohnson, and who will tomorrow become only the third female prime minister in british little history. she is going to be prime minister at the age of 47, she will be the 15th prime minister of the queen's long reign. liz truss, having told them that she has campaigned as a conservative, and will govern as a conservative, delights the conservative mps and party members who are gathered here at the queen elizabeth ii conference centre. and she sets outjust a few thoughts on what her priorities will be. so, the crowd will rapidly

depart, and vicki young and i are looking at these images, first of all, as expected, vicki, elected with a majority ofjust around 21,000, can we talk about the margin of victory first?— of victory first? possibly, it was closer than _ of victory first? possibly, it was closer than lots _ of victory first? possibly, it was closer than lots of _ of victory first? possibly, it was closer than lots of people - of victory first? possibly, it was i closer than lots of people thought. rishi sunak�*s team were saying, look, it's closer than you think. they never thought they were winning but definitely closer. it makes it tricky from her. she hasn't had backing from an awful lot of our own mps. she has won this, a clear victory, of course, but not the same as her predecessors managed to achieve. that will be quickly forgotten, she will become prime minister tomorrow, and in some ways none of that matters. the backing of her own mps and the cabinet she decides to put together is all about putting this conservative party back together, trying to heal divisions, and as she said, talking about delivery. that will be her big

message. she wants to come in here and in a less than subtle way say to people, i will deliver on things, get things done. that means her predecessor could be accused of not doing that. the predecessor could be accused of not doinu that. ., ., , predecessor could be accused of not doinu that. ., ., , ., ., doing that. the tone was a sort of undetermined. _ doing that. the tone was a sort of undetermined. secondly, - doing that. the tone was a sort of undetermined. secondly, she - doing that. the tone was a sort of i undetermined. secondly, she picked up undetermined. secondly, she picked up on some policy areas, including tax cuts. the strategy has been criticised by some economic experts and by some of those backing rishi sunak as being a unwise course of action at this point in the economic cycle. she made a point, and jacob rees mogg there of course will be supporting this, she made a point of singling that out, so it doesn't sound like somebody who is going to be immensely conciliatory when it comes to the policies she wants. i think that is an obvious issue for people like rishi sunak. it doesn't sound like he will have a job in the cabinet. it is difficult for those mps who have publicly come out and said that this is a mad idea, to

start cutting taxes at the moment people need help with their bills. she says she will do both. how you pay for that is the big question, of course. she is someone on that wing of the party where they believe in giving people more of their own money rather than taking it and giving it back in what they would call complicated ways. but she is coming in at a time when people are clamouring for help, after the covid pandemic, the furlough scheme which we thought would probably never be replicated, the idea that you pay millions of people to stay at home and not work, to keep businesses open. it won't necessarily be on that scale, but we are still talking potentially about billions of pounds of public money, and it goes against her philosophy when it comes to the economy, but she says she is all about growing the economy, she wants to boost growth because in the end, she says, that helps everybody. she talks about personal responsibility, about low taxes. i don't think

anyone would ever accuse her of being a brilliant public speaker. she has had some pretty woeful speeches in the past. she is not particularly comfortable doing it. she kept it short — getting on with it, i mean business, that is the kind of image she wants to project in the next few days. just kind of image she wants to pro'ect in the next few daysi in the next few days. just seeing some mps _ in the next few days. just seeing some mps and _ in the next few days. just seeing some mps and members - in the next few days. just seeing some mps and members leaving in the next few days. just seeing - some mps and members leaving the centre in the heart of westminster, just across the road from westminster abbey, for those of you wondering exactly where it is. it is not too far from downing street, where we are now, just a few minutes' walk. looking at the images earlier, we were thinking about the third female prime minister in british political history. lots of parallels have been drawn already with margaret thatcher, just in terms of image and determination. not so many with theresa may. i suppose the thing that the three of them have in common very clearly is

them have in common very clearly is the work ethic. the three of them, clearly, share that, and they are very hard workers. it is clearly, share that, and they are very hard workers.— very hard workers. it is what everyone — very hard workers. it is what everyone says _ very hard workers. it is what everyone says about - very hard workers. it is what everyone says about them, l very hard workers. it is what - everyone says about them, whether they are supporters or detractors, they are supporters or detractors, they do say that. someone said, liz truss has been mocked for her instagram, her official photographer, some of the images, what blouses she wore, standing on the tank, the fur hat in russia, all those things where people said she was aping and trying to channel margaret thatcher. someone said that regardless of all of that, the similarity is much more that you will find liz truss going round whitehall, popping up and saying, what are you working on, what have you achieved and what will you deliver? that is where people say there might be similarities. 0ther there might be similarities. other people say she is nowhere near like margaret thatcher. the other similarity is that both were written off at the beginning of their premierships. no one thought margaret thatcher would be the one

to take over the leadership of the conservative party. she came in and people were talking about her demise at the beginning. liz truss, people say she has not been a brilliant cabinet minister. she has survived under various prime ministers in turbulent times, some would say because she is incredibly ambitious and changed her mind on things like brexit to stay in with the flow and the way things were going. she had a terrible time atjustice, that didn't work out at all. she is unproven, in many ways, and coming in ata time unproven, in many ways, and coming in at a time when there are massive challenges for the country and people will be looking to her to deliver and do that pretty rapidly. we'll have plenty of time during the course of the day to talk about the challenges. as we were saying earlier, for those of you watching at home, we will be back certainly tomorrow because the new prime minister will be accepted by the queen, will be invited to form a government by the queen. that will happen at balmoral castle in

aberdeenshire, the queen's scottish estate. that has already been arranged. borisjohnson will arranged. boris johnson will tomorrow arranged. borisjohnson will tomorrow visit the queen, tender his resignation, and within a few minutes, we will see liz truss, the new leader of the conservative party, being invited by the queen to form a government, after which liz truss and that he will come back to downing street, and we expect the new prime minister to make herfirst statement as prime minister in the street here in line with tradition. vicki and i will be here to hear what she has to say. one of those people keeping an eagle i on this is the leader of the opposition, the leader of the labour party, sir keir starmer, taking advantage of the fact that labour has been doing better in the opinion polls in recent months, and making more positive noises. the political landscape is changing and labour on the other parties will have to respond to that. we have already had this statement from sir keir, who

wanted to respond to the election of liz truss. ~ ., ., liz truss. well, we have heard far more from _ liz truss. well, we have heard far more from the _ liz truss. well, we have heard far more from the latest _ liz truss. well, we have heard far more from the latest prime - liz truss. well, we have heard far. more from the latest prime minister about cuts to corporation tax over the summer than we have about the cost of living crisis, the single most important thing bearing down on so many millions of households. that shows that not only is she out of touch, but she is not on the side of working people. so she needs to deal with the cost of living crisis, needs to deal with the fact the nhs is on its needs, and needs to deal with the collapse of the wonder order. there can be nojustification for not freezing energy prices. there is a political consensus that that needs to happen. she needs to answer the question of how she will pay for that. labour have been clear that there needs to be a windfall tax on oil and gas companies. she needs to show she actually understands and can meet the challenges that are there after 12 years of failure of this tory government. saki starmer, the leader of the

official opposition. —— keir starmer. he went through a list of you think —— of what he thinks our challenges. he is clearly very focused. we will get a sense of that on wednesday at the first head—to—head between sir keir and the new prime minister. it all ha--ens the new prime minister. it all happens rapidly. _ the new prime minister. it all happens rapidly, doesn't - the new prime minister. it all happens rapidly, doesn't it? liz truss becomes prime minister tomorrow, she will appoint a cabinet thatis tomorrow, she will appoint a cabinet that is likely to meet on wednesday morning, then she has to face the leader of the opposition at prime minister's questions, something she hasn't done. for opposition parties, this is a challenge, and moving target. they thought they had the measure of borisjohnson. the lib dems say they felt boris johnson was handing them a pile of votes in the by—elections. they now have to change their attack line if god —— change their attack line if god —— change their attack line, if you like. keir starmer attacked the former chancellor, rishi sunak, a lot, but it is liz truss. they will

be trolling through all the things she has said, and —— they will be trawling through all the things she has said. they will be looking for help for households and businesses when it comes to the energy crisis. she will want to come out quickly with what she is going to do. she is notjust with what she is going to do. she is not just starting with what she is going to do. she is notjust starting now, she has been working on this for quite some time and she will want to come forward with those announcements rapidly. i5 with those announcements rapidly. is it possible she will want to share some of those before prime minister's questions on wednesday so she might have something to say rather than just be she might have something to say rather thanjust be in she might have something to say rather than just be in the defence? i presume she would have to go past her cabinet and talk about it with them first, but i would have thought she will want to come out and have something to say at that point. it is a moment where i think we can expect, even tory mps who didn't back her, it will be a moment when they will look at who their real opponents are, sitting opposite. for a while at least, she will have them onside. how long it lasts, though,

let's look at the recent history of the tory party — they haven't been known to be that loyal to some of their leaders, and there are people in the party who will be appalled that liz truss is their leader and the prime minister. you mentioned civil servants _ the prime minister. you mentioned civil servants earlier, _ the prime minister. you mentioned civil servants earlier, and _ the prime minister. you mentioned civil servants earlier, and we - the prime minister. you mentioned civil servants earlier, and we are i civil servants earlier, and we are here in downing street. the british civil service, respected around the world for the most part, and certainly people working traditionally in these offices will be looking on with interest because, of course, she hasn't always been complementary about some of the people working in the civil service, and yet they are now expected to deliver on what could be quite a controversial, radical package of measures. how will that chemistry work when they greet her, as they normally do, when she enters number ten tomorrow afternoon? abs, normally do, when she enters number ten tomorrow afternoon?— ten tomorrow afternoon? a certain amount of trepidation. _ ten tomorrow afternoon? a certain amount of trepidation. they - ten tomorrow afternoon? a certain amount of trepidation. they have l amount of trepidation. they have been having talks, of course, and i think they feel her team is pretty well organised, there are ideas, they know what they are doing, and they know what they are doing, and they see that she will run a tighter ship than borisjohnson did, but

some would argue that wouldn't be too difficult. 0ver some would argue that wouldn't be too difficult. over the years, i've known people who have sat in meetings with her and she has rolled her eyes at civil servants who have may be challenged what she wants, may be challenged what she wants, may be challenged what she wants, may be argued against what she wants, but herfriends may be argued against what she wants, but her friends say she is winning. and there was one. he is probably on the same page as her when it comes to all of that. he is tipped to stay, potentially in cabinet, very much on the ideological side agrees with her about all of that. i think the civil service will have a tricky time with her. i think she wants them to deliver. she won't want to hear reasons why she can't do things, but in the end, they have to work together. she has already talked about slimming down the number of people who work in these places. in my experience, when they get into number ten, they don't want to slim down, they want more people supporting them. we down, they want more people supporting them.— down, they want more people su--ortin~them. ~ ., ., , down, they want more people su--ortin~them. ., ., , ., supporting them. we have a couple of minutes before _ supporting them. we have a couple of minutes before the _ supporting them. we have a couple of minutes before the end _ supporting them. we have a couple of minutes before the end of— supporting them. we have a couple of minutes before the end of this - supporting them. we have a couple of minutes before the end of this part i minutes before the end of this part of the broadcast, vicki. a final thought for viewersjoining us now, thought for viewers joining us now, getting thought for viewersjoining us now, getting ready for bbc news at 0ne, coming up in a few minutes, where we

will have a full recap of what has gone on this morning. in a few sentences, what has happened the day in terms of the change in our political life? notjust of new prime minister, but potentially looking at a government taking a new direction? . �* , looking at a government taking a new direction? ., �* , , ., , ., direction? that's right, she has a stron: direction? that's right, she has a strong philosophy, _ direction? that's right, she has a strong philosophy, she _ direction? that's right, she has a strong philosophy, she is - direction? that's right, she has a strong philosophy, she is very i direction? that's right, she has a i strong philosophy, she is very much a tax cutter. she talked in a very short speech about tax cuts, personal responsibility. she is clearly coming from one direction, but she is coming at a time when the demands are huge, and actually people will be looking as to whether she is a pragmatist. herfriends say she is a pragmatist. herfriends say she is. she is a pragmatist. her friends say she is. ., ., ., she is. vicky, thanks and thanks for our she is. vicky, thanks and thanks for your company today. _ she is. vicky, thanks and thanks for your company today. bbc _ she is. vicky, thanks and thanks for your company today. bbc news - she is. vicky, thanks and thanks for your company today. bbc news at | she is. vicky, thanks and thanks for. your company today. bbc news at one your company today. bbc news at 0ne coming up, and coverage continues on bbc news. for now, from downing street, thanks for watching, and goodbye.

applause rishi sunak, 60,399. , , rishi sunak, 60,399. liz truss, 81,326. therefore, _ rishi sunak, 60,399. liz truss, 81,326. therefore, |_ rishi sunak, 60,399. liz truss, 81,326. therefore, i give - rishi sunak, 60,399. liz truss, 81,326. therefore, i give noticej 81,326. therefore, i give notice that li2— 81,326. therefore, i give notice that liz truss is elected as the leader— that liz truss is elected as the leader of— that liz truss is elected as the leader of the conservative and unionist — leader of the conservative and unionist party. cheering and applause it's an honour to be elected as leader of the conservative and unionist party. brute leader of the conservative and unionist party.— leader of the conservative and unionist party. leader of the conservative and unionist pa . ~ ., , ., ., unionist party. we need to show that we will deliver _ unionist party. we need to show that we will deliver over _ unionist party. we need to show that we will deliver over the _ unionist party. we need to show that we will deliver over the next - unionist party. we need to show that we will deliver over the next two - we will deliver over the next two years. i will deliver a we will deliver over the next two years. iwill deliver a bold plan we will deliver over the next two years. i will deliver a bold plan to cut taxes and grow our economy. i will deliver on the energy crisis, dealing with people's energy bills, but also dealing with the long—term issues we have on energy supply. and

we will deliver a great victory for the conservative party in 2024. thank you, thank you. cheering and applause

the conservative leadership contest is over, and the next prime minister of the united kingdom will be — liz truss. it's monday, it's one o'clock, and we're live in westminster. it's been a long contest — and this is how it ended just half an hour ago. i give notice that liz truss is elected as leader of the conservative and unionist party. cheering