Business leaders from across the UK have called for the 'soap opera' to end in the wake of Boris Johnson's resignation and have urged the Tory party to swiftly elect a new leader.
Tony Danker, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, was among the first to respond to Mr Johnson's resignation speech to the nation, arguing that the “political vacuum” needed to be filled.
Saying that Mr Johnson will leave office with the CBI's 'best wishes', Mr Danker said: "Getting the economy growing again has got to be the number one focus for all politicians, and I look forward to working with the Government on a plan for a better, brighter economic future for people right across the United Kingdom.”
Mr Johnson quit as Tory leader after admitting he failed to persuade Cabinet colleagues that he could fight on.
Mr Johnson intends to remain in No 10 until his successor is elected with a timetable due to be set out next week.
“In politics, no one is remotely indispensable,” Mr Johnson acknowledged in a statement delivered from a lectern in Downing Street.
“I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them’s the breaks,” he said.
Mr Johnson intention to remain in No 10 until a successor is elected has been met with some resistance from business leaders, those within his own party and the Opposition.
He has already appointed new Cabinet ministers to replace MPs who quit as part of the mass ministerial exodus in protest at his leadership.
Henrietta Brealey, head of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce said: "There are far too many big calls that need to be made over the coming weeks to enter a period of effective decision paralysis.
"Businesses need clear, consistent and cohesive leadership to steer the country through these turbulent economic and geopolitical waters."
John McCabe, chief executive, North East England Chamber of Commerce said: "The soap opera of recent months has to end now."
"It's time for a new prime minister to lead a government with a clear focus on the priorities of North East business. We're calling on government to work with us on seizing the opportunities for growth and tackling the difficulties we face as a region. The immediate priority is to keep the devolution talks on track and apply a renewed emphasis on levelling up."
East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said that the paralysis of the past few days, with whole departments being effectively rudderless, has heaps further uncertainty on firms at a time when they are already trying to navigate stormy waters.
He said: “We need to know what the plans are for levelling up and tackling the very real cost of doing business crisis, which is hampering firms’ ability to breathe life into an ailing economy.
“Big policy agendas are in a state of stasis. What’s important now is to have a clear path forward so that businesses can have confidence the big issues are going to be tackled.”
Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said suggested former Chancellor Rishi Sunak for the top job.
He said: “The last thing both businesses and the public need is the level of uncertainty which we have witnessed recently so it is important that the Conservative Party pushes on and elects a new leader as quickly as feasibly possible.
“With his knowledge of the economy and businesses, I would assume that Rishi Sunak would be a serious contender for the position of Prime Minister.”
Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram said: "There will be few tears shed in the Liverpool City Region by the departure of Boris Johnson.
"In truth, he was never fit to serve as Prime Minister and his dysfunctionality and propensity to lie have finally caught up with him.
"The relationship between Boris Johnson and our area has never been a particularly warm one. He will never be forgiven for the smears published in The Spectator under his editorship about the Hillsborough disaster and the death of Ken Bigley.
"But equally, his policies wreaked havoc on our local authorities who experienced further funding cuts during a period when the Prime Minister promoted a so-called levelling up agenda.
"For a classicist like Johnson, there is a certain irony in the way that he has exited the stage today: like the Roman Emperor Caligula, he has overseen a short, damaging and divisive period of office, and, in the end, has been removed by his own Praetorian guard.
"Whoever comes next, we need a PM who is serious about addressing regional inequality. Whether they choose to call it Levelling Up; the Northern Powerhouse, or if it is rebadged as something else entirely, we need reassurance that any new administration is committed to devolution.
"While Westminster and Whitehall distract themselves with the intrigue of a palace coup, local leaders will continue to work for the people they represent, shielding them as best we can from the cost-of-living crisis and ensuring that we create well-paid jobs and opportunities.
"Ultimately the country – and my residents - would be better served by a Labour government, but until that time I hope we will get a Prime Minister willing to work with us in the interest of the whole country – and not the conservative party.
"Boris Johnson was never fit to be Prime Minister, it's good news that he's gone but whoever succeeds him needs to be committed to devolution."
