The United Kingdom is set to have a new Prime Minister for the first time since the 24th of July 2019. Currently, there are two candidates bidding to make 10 Downing Street their new residence: Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. The question is, who will win and replace outgoing PM Boris Johnson?
As it stands, the latest odds in the politics betting are unequivocal about who will be the Queen’s 15th Prime Minster to serve under her. Indeed, Truss’ odds of 1/50 to be the next Conservative leader make her the outright favourite to land the top job in UK politics.
Sunak meanwhile, doesn’t fare particularly well in the latest tips and predictions on politics as far as the race to become the next PM goes, with the former Chancellor of the Exchequer at long odds of 10/1 to lead the Conservative Party.
Could there be a late upset?
You should never say never in the world of politics, but it would take something remarkable to stop Truss from being given the keys to Number 10.
It’s a bit like Manchester City winning 5-0 with ten minutes to go, if they’re going to lose then it will be a turnout for the books and perhaps the only way of that happening would be for City to score some own goals. Similarly, all Truss needs to do is avoid any late own goals by upsetting the Conservative membership.
If Truss manages to do so then they are predicted to elect her as the leader of the UK.
What type of Prime Minster would Liz Truss make?
It’s probably fair to say that Truss is a political shapeshifter. At least, Truss has been able to successfully climb what 1868 Prime Minster Benjamin Disraeli referred to as the ‘greasy pole’. Put another way, Truss is somewhat of a political chameleon and has been able to adapt and transform successfully in order to get near the UK’s top office. For a better example of this, you need only cast your mind back to the 1990s when Truss began her political career as a member of the Liberal Democrats.
Indeed, during her time as a Lib Dem, Truss spoke passionately against institutions that are close to the hearts of the Conservative membership. Needless to say, Truss doesn’t hold these opinions anymore, at least publicly, and perhaps most significant of all is that people are allowed to change their opinion of how they see the world as they get older. In fact, some would say that is a necessity in order to grow.
Ultimately, Truss’ views and values are seen as beneficial to the Conservatives who are now poised to make her the next Prime Minister of this country.
How long until the next general election?
The next general election is scheduled to take place no later than Friday the 24th of January 2025. The odds of an earlier election make for interesting reading, however, with a 2022 election priced at 7/2 whilst an election in 2023 is priced at 9/2.
In short, whoever becomes the new PM of the UK won’t have long to convince the country that the Conservatives are the party to vote for.
