Just two out of Nottinghamshire's eight Conservative MPs have confirmed that they still support the Prime Minister after some of their colleagues across the country called on her to go. Following a weekend in which she sacked her former Chancellor, the new one has junked many of Liz Truss' economic plans and one of her ministers clarified that she was "not under a desk" after she was absent in the House of Commons during an urgent question.
Nationally, three Conservative MPs publicly called for Liz Truss to resign on Sunday (October 16), with one of them saying that there were "basic and avoidable" mistakes that she had made. Concerns raised by those calling on Liz Truss to quit included her original plans for the economy, such as the now scrapped idea to abolish the top rate of tax, having "collided with today's tough economic reality."
Nottinghamshire is made up of 11 parliamentary constituencies, eight of which are represented by Conservative MPs. Nottinghamshire Live has asked all of these eight MPs whether they still support the Prime Minister, but many of them have not responded.
READ MORE: Mansfield voters 'fed up' with politics as some call for Boris Johnson's return
Among those who have not confirmed their support are Ashfield MP Lee Anderson, Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith and Rushcliffe MP Ruth Edwards. A spokesperson for Sherwood's MP Mark Spencer said that he was in meetings all day and was unable to reach him for comment on whether he thought Liz Truss should still be Prime Minister.
Mansfield MP Ben Bradley did not respond directly but in a tweet issued after a speech this morning by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, Mr Bradley said: "Well, that effectively renders all the political fallout, criticism, dive in the polls etc of the last few weeks entirely pointless doesn't it. Right back where we started, just far less popular than before."
Gedling MP Tom Randall issued a short statement in which he did not address his support for Liz Truss directly. Instead, referring to a statement which Jeremy Hunt will make on the economy in the House of Commons, Mr Randall said: "I look forward to hearing what the Chancellor has to say later today."
The only Nottinghamshire Conservative MPs to fully confirm their continued support for the Prime Minister were Broxtowe's Darren Henry and Newark's Robert Jenrick. Darren Henry said in a short statement: "The Prime Minister and Government continue to have my full confidence and support."
Robert Jenrick, who backed Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership race but who now serves as a health minister in Liz Truss' Government, said: "I welcome the Chancellor's statement today to reassure the markets that the government has a clear and credible plan to balance the public finances over the medium term.
"This is an important intervention that will help to ease the cost of government borrowing and stall mortgage interest rises impacting families across my constituency. Over the summer, as the Conservative Party debated its future direction, I argued for a balanced approach to the economy that married the dynamic effect of supply side reforms with respect for fiscal responsibility.
"Against the backdrop of protracted inflation, higher interest rates and the rising cost of living, I consistently argued against unfunded tax cuts. I am pleased that the government has now landed on this approach.
"The Conservative Party's belief in sound money and careful stewardship of the public finances has served this country well. As we confront the challenging economic environment of global inflation, rising interest rates and war in Europe, a return to these principles will ensure we get through the difficult times ahead and come out stronger."
READ NEXT:
- Call for Wollaton Park security review after man injured by deer
- Air ambulance lands after medical emergency on bus in Nottinghamshire
- Driver 'scared' after men 'kicked and scratched' car in McDonald's drive-thru
- Nottinghamshire care home rated inadequate after resident death
- Drivers told to go to race track after 'dangerous' car meet on M1
