British Prime Minister Liz Truss said on Friday that she was “absolutely determined” to carry out her policy of supporting growth, despite growing criticism, even in her own camp, against her economic strategy.
“I am absolutely determined to deliver on the promise I made to achieve stronger growth, a more prosperous UK, and to emerge from the storm that we are going through,” she said during a short press conference, held shortly after dismissing its finance minister, Kwasi Kwarteng, now replaced by Jeremy Hunt.
Mr. Kwarteng, affirmative Thursday still on his retention in his post, confirmed in the morning his dismissal on Twitter.
“You asked me to resign as Chancellor” of the Exchequer, I accepted,” Kwasi Kwarteng wrote in a letter to his “colleague and friend” Liz Truss.
“I deeply respect the decision you have taken today,” replied the head of government in a formulation that leaves observers perplexed. “You put the national interest first. »
Downing Street announced in the process the appointment to Finance of Jeremy Hunt, former candidate in the race for Downing Street. Aged 55, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2018-2019, after leading that of Health.
In the wake of the media announcement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s departure, the pound plunged against the dollar, losing 1.10% to $1.1199.
“Changing chancellor does not undo the damage that has already been done”, “we need a change of government”, observed Labor opposition leader for the economy Rachel Reeves.
“Only Labor offers the leadership and ideas to secure the economy and get Britain out of this mess,” she tweeted.
More details will follow.