Liz Truss: Hour-by-hour guide to the new prime minister's first days as Tory leader

Today, Liz Truss is set to hold her first Cabinet meeting, as well as facing PMQs

Daniel Martin, Deputy Political Editor 7 September 2022 • 8:30am

Liz Truss was unveiled as Britain’s next prime minister on Monday after a closely contested race with Rishi Sunak.

Today, she will hold the first meeting of her Cabinet ahead of her debut Prime Minister’s Questions against Sir Keir Starmer at lunchtime.

Here is a timeline of how her first few days have played out so far, and what else she can expect this week.

Monday

12.30pm: Liz Truss was announced as the winner of the Tory leadership race. In her victory speech, she described the leadership contest as "one of the longest job interviews in history".

She said the "hard fought campaign" had shown the "depth and breadth of talent in our Conservative Party".

Afternoon and evening: Ms Truss finalised her choices for Cabinet and wider ministerial roles, as well as writing her prime ministerial speech.

Tuesday

7.30am: Boris Johnson made his farewell speech on the steps of No 10. He then left Downing Street for the last time and flew to Aberdeen airport.

The speech was brought forward by an hour because of fears that poor weather would mean the trip up to Balmoral would take longer.

Early morning: Ms Truss, as Mr Johnson's successor, flew up to Aberdeen on a separate plane in readiness to meet the Queen.

11.20am: Mr Johnson arrived at the door of Balmoral Castle for his audience with the Queen. He was ushered into the Drawing Room, where he relinquished his role.

His departure, as is the custom, was private and off camera.

12.10pm: Ms Truss arrived at the Castle door ready for her audience, which lasted for around 30 minutes before she departed at around 12.40pm.

The new PM's departure, as is the custom, was filmed.

2pm: Ms Truss flew back to London. On the plane, she was likely briefed by officials on national security matters she needs to know as prime minister.

4pm: She arrived in Downing Street and made her first speech as prime minister.

Later on Tuesday afternoon: The new prime minister made senior Cabinet appointments and held further meetings with civil servants.

She received the nuclear codes and wrote "letters of last resort" to commanders of Trident-carrying submarines with instructions for what to do in the event of Britain and its Government being wiped out by a nuclear attack.

Tuesday evening: Ms Truss then took congratulatory phone calls from world leaders. She had previously said that her first call would be to Ukraine’s President Zelensky.

Wednesday

Morning: First meeting of the new Cabinet. Ms Truss is expected to present them with her final plan for tackling rising energy bills and the wider cost-of-living crisis.

12pm: Ms Truss will lead their first Prime Minister’s Question Time, facing Sir Keir Starmer who will be keen to set the tone for their future clashes.

Afternoon: Appointment of junior Government ministers and further briefings from officials including the Cabinet Secretary to complete the hand-over of powers.

Congratulatory phone calls from world leaders continue.

Thursday

Ms Truss is expected to outline measures aimed at tackling the energy crisis, which will include freezing energy bills for households at around £2,500.