Nottinghamshire residents and politicians have called for a General Election following the dramatic resignation of the Prime Minister. Liz Truss became the shortest-serving Prime Minister in British history when she announced she would step down in a statement outside 10 Downing Street on Thursday (October 20).
Her turbulent tenure came to a crushing conclusion after more than a dozen Conservative MPs, including Rushcliffe's Ruth Edwards, called for her to quit. 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady said a leadership election would decide a new Conservative Leader and Prime Minister by Friday, October 28.
However, many have questioned how democratic another leadership contest would be. Nottingham's Labour MPs joined their leader Sir Keir Starmer in calling for an immediate General Election.
Read more: Prime Minister Liz Truss resigns after days of chaos
The MP for Nottingham North, Alex Norris, said: "Liz Truss' legacy will be increased mortgage bills for Nottingham people. We don't need yet another Conservative Prime Minister - we need an election and a new government." Nadia Whittome, who represents Nottingham East, added: "Liz Truss might be gone but the economic chaos that she and her party created continues, and people in Nottingham are suffering as a result.
"We're meant to live in a democracy: we cannot have yet another unelected Tory Prime Minister imposed on the country. We need a General Election now." But Councillor Andrew Rule, who leads the Conservative Party at Nottingham City Council, said: "The last few weeks have been a distraction and the party now needs to choose a new leader and unite behind them.
"We need to get back to the serious business of governing the country, delivering on the Levelling Up agenda and on the devolution deal for Nottingham and the wider East Midlands. We will need to see how things play out over the next few days but, ideally, we need someone who the party can unite behind."
Asked about the next Prime Minister being chosen solely by Conservative MPs rather than the broader party membership, Councillor Rule said: "I would be very relaxed about that approach, I think we just need to get someone elected." But many Nottinghamshire Live readers said the whole UK electorate should have a say in deciding the next Prime Minister.
"Now let the people have their say, the Tories can't run themselves, never mind our country," Joanne Woodland commented on Facebook. Patrick Cox said: "Pathetic. But what rubbish can we expect next? I think the Conservative Party have proved they are not fit to select a viable leader. Surely an election is called for."
Vikki Stevenson added: "Should be a General Election. [The] Tories can't keep putting ones in to replace, not fair to UK people." Among those tipped to run in the Tory leadership contest is Boris Johnson, who left Number 10 merely weeks ago.
The Times reported he believes it is a matter of “national interest” to stand. Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith backed Mr Johnson's potential run for office, saying he had "unfinished business".
Speaking to Sky News, the Conservative Bassetlaw MP said he was "very disappointed" at the Prime Minister's resignation. "I think she's a decent person who wanted to deliver for this country and have the chance to do that. I think it’s a shame she hasn't been able to in the end," he said.
"But what we need now is someone who can come in and bring people together, someone who actually has that mandate from the people of the last General Election, a mandate from party members, someone who can get this party going again and get us winning elections again. The only person I think who ticks all those boxes is Boris Johnson."
Responding to questions on his constituency Facebook group, Mansfield MP Ben Bradley (Con), who is also the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “I didn’t call on Boris to go, I didn’t back either of the final options of candidates, I haven’t sought to drag down this Prime Minister, I’m cracking on trying to get key local priorities heard and key projects delivered.
“I wish I had more power over it, that would be simpler, but as I have said, I have played no part in the actions that created this chaos, none of it was my preferred choice. I am just one of 350-odd MPs with a voice in this, so I cannot ‘fix’ it either. I just want a stable, Conservative approach that allows us to deliver for people.”
Ms Truss' resignation came the day after Suella Braverman resigned as Home Secretary and less than a week after former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked. She will remain in office until her successor is chosen.
The Conservative Party confirmed that its MPs need to submit their nomination for the next leader by 2pm on Monday (October 24). Only candidates with more than 100 nominations from MPs will go through and if only one candidate crosses this threshold, they will become the next UK Prime Minister on Monday.
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