Rishi Sunak’s subsequent large rival: Who’s Penny Mordaunt and might she be UK’s subsequent PM?

Liz Truss has solely been Prime Minister of the UK for a short while: 45 days to be precise, thereby making her stint the shortest in British historical past. 

Following Liz Truss’ resignation, Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, two candidates in Britain’s earlier management election this yr, are mentioned to be the potential ones to take up the nation’s high job.

Who’s Penny Mordaunt?

Mordaunt was born in Torbay, Devon, on March 4, 1973. She was given the title Penelope in honour of the Arethusa-class cruiser HMS Penelope, whose father was a former paratrooper. Her mom labored as a particular wants trainer at many Purbrook faculties. She is said to Philip Snowden, the primary Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer. She is distantly associated to the previous Labour chief George Lansbury as a result of Dame Angela Lansbury was her grandmother’s cousin.

When she was 15, she misplaced her mom resulting from breast most cancers and took on the accountability of her two brothers. The following yr, her father was additionally stricken with most cancers.

By way of instructional qualification, Mordaunt studied philosophy on the College of Studying and earned an higher second-class honours diploma in 1995. She was additionally the primary individual in her household to attend school. Mordaunt was the president of the Studying College College students’ Union and an energetic member of the coed physique.

After graduating from highschool, Mordaunt labored in a Romanian orphanage. She attributes her curiosity in politics to the 1989 revolution in that nation. Whereas in school, she helped out as a magician’s assistant to assist pay for a few of her bills.

Early positions included serving as a press consultant for the late Conservative Celebration chief William Hague and because the head of the international press for George W. Bush’s profitable reelection bid in the USA in 2000.

Mordaunt received a seat in parliament for Portsmouth North in 2010 and rapidly was appointed a minister. She was appointed to her first place in native authorities in 2014, then she served as minister for the armed forces and minister for individuals with disabilities.

She was appointed to Theresa Might’s cupboard in 2017 because the minister for worldwide growth, however her time in that place lasted simply 85 days earlier than Boris Johnson fired her, allegedly for supporting Jeremy Hunt in his management bid. In February 2020, Johnson lastly reinstated Mordaunt in his place as prime minister.

Mordaunt was appointed as the primary feminine Secretary of State for Defence on Might 1, 2019, after the elimination of Gavin Williamson. Mordaunt launched an unsuccessful bid to grow to be the following Conservative chief and, consequently, UK Prime Minister in July 2022. Mordaunt was appointed Chief of the Home of Commons and Lord President of the Council on September 6, 2022. She presided over King Charles III’s accession ceremony as Lord President of the Council.

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Additionally learn: Liz Truss resigns as UK PM; Rishi Sunak not but confirmed to succeed