Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England, has announced he is running to succeed Justin Trudeau as prime minister of Canada.

Mr Carney launched his campaign to lead Canada’s Liberal Party on Thursday in his hometown, Edmonton in Alberta, ahead of the contest on March 9.

“Our times are anything but ordinary. The system is not working as it should and it’s not working as it could,” he said during his launch speech.

If he wins, the 59-year old will lead the country into the next general election, which must be held by late October.

Mr Trudeau announced earlier this month he would step down after nine years in power, having come under pressure from inside his party.