Former British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Affairs Minister Liz Truss yesterday entered the final stage of the race for the leader of the British Conservatives and the new British Prime Minister who will replace Boris Johnson.
Sunak was chancellor in Johnson's government - chief finance minister and the second most powerful figure in the cabinet - until, in a dramatic turn of events, he resigned as part of a wider revolt among the Conservatives.
Trasova has held a number of cabinet posts over the past decade and, despite voting to remain in the European Union, has managed to establish herself as a trusted figure among MPs in the post-Brexit period.
Sunak, a former Goldman Sachs banker who raised the tax burden to the highest level since the 1950s, has led in all rounds of the Conservative MPs' vote, but Liz Truss is thought to be ahead in the final round when the winner is chosen by around 200 Conservative Party members. which promised to cut taxes and regulations.
Whoever wins when the result is announced on September 5 will inherit Britain's most difficult situation in decades. Inflation is on track to reach 11 percent a year, growth is stagnating and the pound is at a historic low against the dollar.
Britain under Johnson, with the help of Trassova, has also taken a hard line against Brussels in post-Brexit negotiations over Northern Ireland, resulting in legal action from the European Union and a threat to future trade links. In yesterday's final vote by conservative MPs, Sunak was supported by 137 colleagues, while 113 voted for Trasova. Secretary of State for Trade Penny Mordant was eliminated.
Research shows that Liz Trass will defeat Sunak in the final stage of the party vote, which would mean that the party will choose a leader who was not the most popular choice among MPs in Westminster.
Trasova thanked the supporters. "I'm ready to start work from day one," she announced on Twitter.
Claiming that she is a true conservative, Trasova criticized Sunak during the campaign saying that he is a "socialist". "Now is the time for boldness, not a business approach," she said on Tuesday.
Trasova, whose political idol is Margaret Thatcher, cultivates the image of a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but some fear her harsh stance on the war in Ukraine could stir tensions to dangerous levels.
During a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov a few days before the invasion of Ukraine, she was humiliated when he said that she denies Russian sovereignty over Rostov and Voronezh, regions in the south of Russia, Kommersant reported at the time.
A British source said that Trasova did not hear well during the meeting, calling it "classic Russian propaganda".
She also warned China to learn lessons from the West's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and said Beijing would also face consequences if it did not "play by the rules".
Even her supporters fear that she may be "too quick on the tongue" to be an effective diplomat, but conservative members are more interested in domestic issues at the moment.
Compared to Trasova, Sunak finds it easier to handle public appearances. She admitted on Sunday that she might not be the best "presenter", but "when I say I'm going to do something, then it will happen".
Sunak announced on Twitter yesterday: "I am grateful to my colleagues who trusted me. I will work day and night to spread our message across the country”.
Sunak, who helped steer the economy during the pandemic, is unlikely to find favor among party members, many of whom blame him for bringing down the Johnson government.
In addition, some Conservative MPs fear that his wife's personality and wealth will make her an easy target for the centre-left Labor Party in elections expected in 2024. Two MPs said the politician, who is willing to be photographed with a 180 pounds, is unlikely to attract many voters.
Since both candidates served in Johnson's government, their ability to "start over" will be limited.
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