Following the resignation of Prime Minister Liz Truss, just weeks after taking on the role, our MPs and local political leaders have shared their responses.
Liz Truss took to the infamous lectern outisde 10 Downing Street earlier today to announce she would step down within the week, launching another leadership contest for the Conservative party.
She said: "I recognise I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party.
"I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party. There will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week.
"I will remain as Prime Minister until a successor has been chosen."
Since the announcement, many have called for a General Election to take place - Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Hitchin and Harpenden, Sam Collins.
We need a General Election not another Tory squabble. The nation is in crisis and the government is lurching from shambles to chaos.
— Sam S Collins for Hitchin & Harpenden 🔶🔶 (@hitchharpsam) October 20, 2022
The North Herts Councillor told the Comet: “What an utter, utter shambles, events like this are why people lose faith in politics and politicians. While the Conservatives spend their time fighting among themselves the nation is in crisis, the public is being taken for granted. We need a General Election now!
"Boris Johnson failed our country, partying while people died and Liz Truss trashed our economy. People deserve so much better than this.
"The Conservative party have proven time and time again they are not fit to lead our great country.
"This country needs a general election. Any Conservative MP who care more about the people that they are elected to represent or the nation as a whole needs to do their duty and call for an election, Conservative MPs cannot prop up more chaotic Governments."
Turns out she was a quitter not a fighter! #GONE https://t.co/FZahpuKR3k
— Sharon Taylor OBE 🇬🇧🌹💙 (@SharonStevenage) October 20, 2022
North Herts Council leader Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg echoed calls for a General Election.
We cannot afford the Conservatives' chaos any longer.
— Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg (@E_DennisHarburg) October 20, 2022
Britain deserves better than this.
It's time for a Labour government that will put this country first. pic.twitter.com/priMown7ex
Stephen McPartland, Conservative MP for Stevenage, disagrees, stating "we must keep calm and carry on" via Twitter.
I agree with @PennyMordaunt we must keep calm & carry on. We live in a parliamentary democracy & if a new prime minister can command a majority in the House of Commons, then they have the constitutional right to serve until the next general election legally has to take place.
— Rt Hon Stephen McPartland (@SMcPartland) October 20, 2022
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