British Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned on Thursday after serving six weeks in office, following a disastrous and rapidly reversed economic policy that sent the pound diving down and her government into chaos.

Having been formally appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 6, just days before the monarch’s death, Truss is now by far the shortest-serving prime minister in British history and will be remembered as one of the most calamitous.

The previous holder of this record, George Canning, lasted 119 days in the early 19th century; Truss announced her resignation after 44 days.

A leadership contest is now underway to decide the next head of the ruling Conservative Party, who will by default become the next prime minister, and will conclude in the next week. The opposition Labour Party called for an immediate national election.