‘Call a general election now.’
That’s the response of both York’s Labour MP and the Lib Dem leader of City of York Council.
They were responding to the ‘unprecedented and embarrassing’ situation of Liz Truss quitting as Prime Minster 44 days after taking up the job.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell said: “With the Conservative Party so divided and at war with itself, it is too late for a new Prime Minister – we need a new Government.
“Today was another miscalculation, a general election should have been called.
“Twelve years of Tory failure has seen our public services battered, tax at an all-time high; and a cost-of-living scandal created in Downing Street. The British people deserve better than this.”
Council leader Keith Aspden said: “In only 44 days in office, Liz Truss has managed to crash the economy, undermine our country’s reputation across the world and most tragically put even more pressure and cost on the shoulders of the most vulnerable.
“This Tory chaos is not only unprecedented and embarrassing, but it comes at the expense of so many struggling during this cost of living crisis.
“This is not the time for another Tory PM – the Conservatives have lost their credibility, mandate and people’s trust a long time ago – it’s time for a general election.
“The country needs urgent action to support people during this winter, as well as stable government, ambitious economic growth plan and a rebuilding of our broken public services.”
Leader of the Conservative Group Paul Doughty said: “There was visible relief from former Prime Minister Liz Truss as she gave her resignation speech.
“I believe it was the right decision and am pleased we won’t be going through a long, drawn-out process for replacement as it’s imperative that the new Prime Minister gets on with the huge challenges faced, not only with the cost of living and energy but the threat posed by Russia which is causing similar economic challenges across Europe.
“I have been reassured by the new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt who has been quick in stabilising the economy.
“During the last selection process, as now, my personal preference for Conservative Leader and Prime Minister is Penny Mordaunt and in my view, she would be exemplary.
“I will of course back any new leader with the ability and assurance to deal with the challenges.
“A general election however is the last thing that the country needs as it would cause more uncertainty in the markets and prolong the huge distractions from the action needed to deal with the issues at hand.
“I hope politicians and the media will allow the new leader to get on with the job as what we’ve seen in recent months has been an embarrassing soap opera.”
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