Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss through to final round of UK PM race

Former finance minister Rishi Sunak and foreign secretary Liz Truss will battle it out to become Britain’s next prime minister after they won the final vote among Conservative Party MPs, setting up the last stage of the contest to replace former leader Boris Johnson. Rishi Sunak is now the closest anyone of Indian origin has ever been to take charge as British Prime Minister after his Conservative Party colleagues voted overwhelmingly in his favour with 137 votes in the final round on Wednesday. Regardless of who wins, Britain is now guaranteed to get either its first prime minister of colour or its third woman leader. Sunak, who helped steer the economy through the pandemic, might not find a forgiving crowd among party members with many blaming him for triggering Johnson’s downfall with his resignation earlier this month. He has also faced criticism on everything from his record in government to his wife’s wealth. Truss might also struggle at the hustings against Sunak, who is more relaxed in public appearances. 
In the 5th round of voting involving three contestants, Sunak topped with 137 votes, followed by Liz Truss with 113. Penny Mordaunt received 105 votes, the lowest in Wednesday's contest, and was eliminated from the race. Sunak continues with his impressive performance, topping every round of voting so far, and by a fair margin.Eleven candidates originally put their names forward but in a fifth and final ballot of Conservative legislators. Polls show Truss would beat Sunak in the party members’ contest, opening up the chance that the party elects a leader who was not the most popular choice for MPs at Westminster.