Elizabeth Truss served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for 7 weeks, from 6 September 2022 to 25 October 2022. Her tenure began when she was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II following the resignation of Boris Johnson, and ended with her resignation after multiple policy reversals and sustained political pressure. This brief period made her one of the shortest-serving Prime Ministers in modern British history.
Dates and official timeline
Start of tenure
Truss was appointed on 6 September 2022, following the July–September 2022 Conservative leadership election triggered by Boris Johnson’s departure. She accepted the invitation to form a government and was formally appointed by the monarch that day.
End of tenure
On 20 October 2022, amid a cost-of-living crisis, policy reversals on taxation and energy, and reportedly as many as 50 Conservative MPs withholding support, Truss announced she would resign. On 25 October 2022, Rishi Sunak was appointed as her successor, marking the end of her premiership.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Start date | 6 September 2022 | Official government records |
| End date | 25 October 2022 | Official government records |
| Duration | 7 weeks (49 days) | Calculated from dates |
| Monarch at appointment | Queen Elizabeth II | Historical record |
Context for duration
Truss’s premiership was the shortest since Alec Douglas-Home in 1963–1964 and among the shortest in modern British history. Factors contributing to the brevity included market volatility, policy U-turns, and loss of confidence within her party. The experience influenced subsequent Conservative leadership elections and intensified debates about stability in government.
Key events during Truss’s tenure
- 6 September 2022: Appointed Prime Minister.
- 23 September 2022: Mini-budget announced, sparking financial markets reaction.
- 3 October 2022: First significant cabinet reshuffle amid criticism.
- 14 October 2022: U-turn on key fiscal measures reported in media.
- 20 October 2022: Truss announces resignation.
- 25 October 2022: Rishi Sunak becomes Prime Minister.
Comparison with recent Prime Ministers
| Prime Minister | Tenure length | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Boris Johnson | 3 years, 63 days | 24 July 2019 – 6 September 2022 |
| Liz Truss | 7 weeks | 6 September 2022 – 25 October 2022 |
| Rishi Sunak | <Incumbent at time of writing | 25 October 2022 – present (duration varies) |
Aftermath and political legacy
Truss’s short premiership underscored the importance of credibility in economic policy and intra-party cohesion. Subsequent Conservative leaders have faced questions partly shaped by this episode, and it remains a reference point in assessments of recent UK political volatility.
Common questions
- Why did Liz Truss resign so quickly? Truss announced her resignation after losing confidence among Conservative MPs, market pressures, and policy reversals that undermined her authority.
- How does her tenure compare to other short-serving PMs? Her 7-week term ranks among the shortest in modern British history, behind Alec Douglas-Home and several temporary caretakers.
