• Inducts 2 Indian-origin ministers in her Cabinet

LONDON (TIP): In her maiden speech as PM, Liz Truss said that she was  honored to take on the responsibility at a vital time for the country. Former U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who was declared the winner of the Conservative Party leadership contest on Monday, September 5,  defeating  former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on Tuesday, September  by  Queen Elizabeth II.

The new Prime Minister said she would focus on three priorities: the economy, the energy crisis facing the country and improving the National Health Service (NSH).

Ms Truss  faces enormous economic challenges domestically — starting with combatting burgeoning energy prices and a cost of living crisis. She also faces political challenges, such as resolving a messy consequence of Brexit involving Northern Ireland’s customs borders. She will also have to navigate another call for Scottish independence. Ms. Truss had vehemently opposed a call for a second referendum. Speaking outside Downing Street after her arrival from Scotland, where she was appointed by the Queen, the new prime minister said she would transform Britain into an “aspiration nation”, cutting taxes and pushing reforms to grow the economy.

“I will deal hands-on with the energy crisis caused by Putin’s war,” Ms. Truss said, having promised over the weekend that she would announce a plan within a week of assuming office to tackle short-term energy price challenges and longer-term supply issues. The Financial Times reported that she was working on a GBP 100 billion plan to protect households and businesses from soaring energy bills this winter.  She will also attempt to unite her party while putting together a cabinet to deliver her program. For the first time in history, the ‘four great offices of state’ — the posts of Prime Minister, Chancellor, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary are likely to be held by people who are not white males, as widely noted by the British press.

U.S. President Joe Biden called  Liz Truss to  congratulate her on becoming Britain’s new PM. Prime Minister Liz Truss held her first Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday, September 7,  after announcing one of the UK’s most diverse Cabinets, with key frontline posts going to ethnic minority members of Parliament, including Indian-origin Suella Braverman as the Home Secretary. Another Indian-origin minister in the Cabinet, Agra-born Alok Sharma, retains his climate action job as the COP26 President, as does Defense Secretary Ben Wallace in a new top team that is otherwise a complete shake-up of the old guard.

London-born junior minister Ranil Jayawardena, of mixed Sri Lankan and Indian heritage, has been promoted as the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Many senior Tories, who had backed Truss’ rival, British Indian former finance minister Rishi Sunak, find themselves without a job — including former justice secretary Dominic Raab, transport secretary Grant Shapps and health secretary Steve Barclay.

(With inputs from PTI and other agencies)