Liz Truss has been appointed Conservative Party leader

Foreign secretary Liz Truss has been appointed Conservative Party leader and next Prime Minister.

Truss, who was elected to the position by Conservative party members, won by a majority of 20,927. 

Rishi Sunak won just over 60,000 votes to finish runner up in a leadership race that has last around six weeks. 

Ms Truss said it was an “honour” to be elected and that she "campaigned as a Conservative and I will govern as a Conservative".

"I know that our beliefs resonate with the British public," she added.

"As your party leader I intend to deliver what we promised those voted across our great country."

Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer said in reaction to the announcement: 

"I'd like to congratulate our next Prime Minister Liz Truss as she prepares for office.

"But after 12 years of the Tories all we have to show for it is low wages, high prices, and a Tory cost of living crisis.

"Only Labour can deliver the fresh start our country needs."

Heywood & Middleton MP Chris Clarkson has congratulated Truss on social media. 

Congratulations @trussliz, the next Prime Minister and leader of the @Conservatives.
It's time to unite and get on with addressing the important issues our country faces. 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/yzB8R8Mkxi

— Chris Clarkson MP 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@ChrisClarksonMP) September 5, 2022

 Bury North MP, James Daly publicly supported Liz Truss in the leadership bid. 

Ms Truss will be formally sworn into her position as Prime Minister tomorrow when she meets the Queen at Balmoral. 

She will then return to Downing Street to form her cabinet before appearing at her first Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday lunchtime.