There have been calls from North East MPs for a general election following the resignation of the Prime Minister.
Liz Truss has stepped down after 44 days at 10 Downing Street. She is now set to become the shortest ever serving PM in the history of UK politics.
Her resignation comes after former Chancellor's disastrous mini-budget resulted in a series of U-turns. She was under fire after her Home Secretary resigned and her party appeared to be in disarray following a chaotic vote on fracking.
Read more: Liz Truss resigns LIVE: Prime Minister steps down after just 44 days at Downing Street
She will step down as Prime Minister and Conservative Party Leader when her successor is found.
Catherine McKinnell, Labour MP for Newcastle North, Kate Osborne, Labour MP for Jarrow, and Mary Kelly Foy, Labour MP for the City of Durham, are calling for the decision to be placed in the hands of the public.
On Monday afternoon, Catherine McKinnell, who is chair of the petitions committee, led a debate at Westminster Hall. She highlighted a online petition which calls for an immediate general election to end the "chaos" of the current government.
Following the resignation of Liz Truss, she said: "Days into office Liz Truss took a reckless and irresponsible gamble with the public finances, which households will continue to feel in their pockets and their mortgages. Her time in office will be remembered for irresponsibility, chaos and confusion. We will shortly be on to our second Prime Minister in a matter of months without any democratic mandate from the public, and the third this year alone.
"We cannot continue to live this Conservative psychodrama, the uncertainty and chaos is holding our country back as we face cost of living, energy and climate crises and Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. People have lost trust in the Conservative Party, more interested in internal division than meeting the challenges we face. It’s time people had their say on the future direction of our country in a General Election."
In a statement, Kate Osborne said: "We must have a General Election." She said Liz Truss lasted 44 days as Prime Minister and her decisions caused untold damage to the economy and she failed at everything she tried to do.
She said: "Truss was chosen to be Prime Minister by just a few thousand Tory party members – the next Prime Minister will be chosen for us by just a few hundred MPs. A revolving door of Conservative MPs taking their turn to lead the country – but not changing their outlook continuing to cause chaos.
"Liz Truss just yesterday accused me of being ideological at PMQs – it was clear she had no answers and no mandate – the new Tory Prime Minister will not have a mandate either. We can’t go on like this. 3 Prime Ministers 4 Chancellors and 3 Home Secretaries in the space of 115 days – each one of them putting the needs of big business and the wealthiest ahead of communities.
"People need a government that will tackle the cost of living crisis that the conservatives have caused – not a continuation of their cuts to the NHS and public services and policies that leave millions living in poverty. Instead of yet another Prime Minister chosen by Tories – Truss should have called an election. That is what the country needs – A change of direction , a new Government.”
But can a general election now be called? Here is everything you need to know, according to UK Parliament:
What is a general election?
A general election is an opportunity for people in every part of the UK to choose their MP. There is a choice of several candidates in each local area, known as a constituency.
Some will be the local candidates for national political parties such as the Conservative Party or the Labour Party. The person elected will become the MP and represent the constituency in the House of Commons. They can keep this position for up to five years.
Can I vote for a new Prime Minister?
No, you cannot vote for a new Prime Minister.
You can only vote to elect your local MP in a general election. If you live in the constituency represented by the current Prime Minister you are still only voting for them as your local MP.
Who chooses the Prime Minister?
The political party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons at a general election usually forms the new government.
Its leader becomes Prime Minister and is appointed by the monarch.
When was the last general election?
The last general election took place on December 12, 2019. It was won by the Conservative Party and Boris Johnson returned to Government as Prime Minister. Liz Truss replaced Boris Johnson in Number 10 at the beginning of September 2022.
Who decides when to call a general election and can they be held early?
The Government of the day can decide when to call a general election.
The Fixed-term Parliaments Act was passed in 2011 and was repealed on 24 March 2022. The Act created fixed, five year periods between general elections. Earlier elections could be held only in specified circumstances.
An election was held according to this five-year timetable in 2015. However, the House of Commons chose to hold earlier general elections in 2017 and in 2019.
The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 revived the power of the monarch to dissolve Parliament, at the request of the Prime Minister of the day.
When will the next general election take place?
By law, a general election must be held in the UK, and a new Parliament elected, at least every five years.
The current Parliament first met on Tuesday 17 December 2019 and will automatically dissolve on Tuesday 17 December 2024, unless it has been dissolved sooner by the King. Polling Day would be expected to take place 25 days later.
Who forms the Government?
Ministers are appointed to work in government departments by the Prime Minister. The most senior ministers attend Cabinet meetings.
What is a 'hung Parliament'?
A 'hung Parliament' is a Parliament in which no political party wins a majority of seats. The largest party can either form a minority government or enter into a coalition government of two or more parties.
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