LIZ Truss has flown to Scotland to become the next Prime Minister after beating Rishi Sunak in the Conservative Party's leadership election.

Ms Truss won 81,326 votes compared to Mr Sunak's 60,399 in a ballot of Conservative members.

She will meet the Queen at Balmoral for her first private audience with the monarch today, when she will be asked to to form a government. 

The result was announced yesterday (September 5) by Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs. 

After being named the UK's third female Prime Minister, Ms Truss said in a speech: “During this leadership campaign, I campaigned as a conservative and I will govern as a conservative.

“My friends, we need to show that we will deliver over the next two years. I will deliver a bold plan to cut taxes and grow our economy.

“I will deliver on the energy crisis, dealing with people’s energy bills, but also dealing with the long-term issues we have on energy supply.”

She also pledged to “deliver on the National Health Service” and “deliver a great victory for the Conservative Party in 2024”.

Somerset's MPs have reacted to Ms Truss's election as the 56th Prime Minister.

Bridgwater Mercury: “These massive increases in energy costs are inevitably going to wipe out some businesses and lead to substantial job losses unless her Government can devise some way of softening the blow.” Picture: UK Parliament“These massive increases in energy costs are inevitably going to wipe out some businesses and lead to substantial job losses unless her Government can devise some way of softening the blow.” Picture: UK Parliament (Image: UK Parliament)

Ian Liddell-Grainger (Conservative, Bridgwater and West Somerset):

“I worked with Liz Truss when she was at the Foreign Office, and I have always found her highly intelligent and hugely generous with her time and her advice.

“How she will shape up to the prime ministerial brief I have no idea.

“But what I do know is that it is vitally important that her policies protect those families in rural areas who are going to be hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis – and that she understands how vulnerable those households are.

“I have already spoken to her on the issue of freezing energy prices and offering mortgage repayment relief as well as the importance of maintaining rural public transport and other services.

“She should also be aware, insofar as industrial centres such as Bridgwater are concerned, that these massive increases in energy costs are inevitably going to wipe out some businesses and lead to substantial job losses unless her government can devise some way of softening the blow.”

Bridgwater Mercury: “It is a great testament to our party that this is our third female Prime Minister, no other party has achieved this.” Picture: UK Parliament“It is a great testament to our party that this is our third female Prime Minister, no other party has achieved this.” Picture: UK Parliament (Image: UK Parliament)

Rebecca Pow (Conservative, Taunton Deane):

“My congratulations to Liz Truss on becoming leader of the Conservative Party and our next Prime Minister. It is a great testament to our party that this is our third female Prime Minister, no other party has achieved this.  

“It was a tough and comprehensive campaign run by both candidates and particular thanks must go to Rishi Sunak for the honourable and concerted campaign he ran.

“Now, as I said from the outset, we must all come together and unite behind the new Prime Minister and concentrate on the issues that really matter in this challenging time.

“My focus continues to be on Taunton Deane and ensuring the right support is in place to help both households and businesses to weather rising energy prices and the wider cost of living crisis. 

“I am calling on our new Prime Minister to urgently give a clear indication of what more can be done in addition to supports already in place.”

Bridgwater Mercury: “Everything I have seen of Liz while she’s been in the Foreign Office shows me she is exactly the person to lead us through the challenging years ahead.” Picture: UK Parliament“Everything I have seen of Liz while she’s been in the Foreign Office shows me she is exactly the person to lead us through the challenging years ahead.” Picture: UK Parliament (Image: UK Parliament)

James Heappey (Conservative, Wells):

“I am delighted the country now has Liz Truss as our Prime Minister.

“This is not a time for showmanship and pizzaz. What is needed is hard graft and a willingness to deliver across government.

“Everything I have seen of Liz while she’s been in the Foreign Office shows me she is exactly the person to lead us through the challenging years ahead.

“On taking office, her first priority will be helping people with the increases to the cost of living and growing our economy in the face of a global downturn.

“A bold economic vision is what is required and that’s what has been the centrepiece of Liz’s campaign and will be the centrepiece of her agenda in government.”

The Bridgwater Mercury has also contacted the offices of David Warburton (Independent, Somerton and Frome) and Marcus Fysh (Conservative, Yeovil).

We will update this article with their responses.