Rochdale political leaders react to Prime Minister Liz Truss’s resignation
Her spell in Downing Street was marked by days of chaos, Conservative in-fighting and economic turmoil after a disastrous 'mini-Budget', alongside the death of the Queen which happened just a day after she had taken office
Photo: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire
Political leaders in the borough have reacted to the resignation of Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Ms Truss survived for just 44 days in Number 10 - the shortest of any Prime Minister in British history.
Her spell in Downing Street was marked by days of chaos, Conservative in-fighting and economic turmoil after a disastrous 'mini-Budget', alongside the death of the Queen which happened just a day after she had taken office.
On the steps of Number 10 on October 20, after meeting with the chairman of the 1922 backbench committee Sir Graham Brady, Ms Truss announced she would be resigning from her position.
Now, Rochdale politicians have reacted to the news which will see a new PM in place before the end of next week.
Labour MP for Rochdale Tony Lloyd said the situation was a betrayal of the people of Rochdale, while one Rochdale Conservative councillor called for Rishi Sunak to take over from Ms Truss.
Mr Lloyd said: “Whilst it is no surprise that this hapless Prime Minister has had to go, the whole saga is astonishing.
“The machinations in the Conservative Party have seen four Prime Ministers in the last six years, have seen a Chancellor sacked, a Home Secretary resigning, and a new Prime Minister as-yet-unknown to come.
“If this was a telly drama it might be fascinating, but it's a betrayal of the people of Rochdale and of the UK who need action on the cost-of-living crisis, the energy crisis, on climate change and much more.
“The reality is that this country needs a general election, not for party political advantage, but because the present governing party is unfit for office.”
Meanwhile, Rochdale Council Conservative group leader, Cllr John Taylor, said the decision for the Prime Minister to step down was inevitable given the events of the previous 24 hours.
He said: “I cannot speculate on who the next PM will be but whoever it is their focus must be on the economy, cost of living crisis including inflation, interest rates, energy and food prices.
“They are the aspects most concerning to our residents and precisely where the attention of our government must be.I am pleased to hear a replacement will be appointed within a week as I wouldn’t want to see a repeat of the last long-winded process.
“We need a stable government with a focus on policy rather than personality. I will watch developments with interest over the coming days.”
Former Conservative council group leader, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, said he hoped Rishi Sunak, who lost out to Liz Truss in the last leadership contest, would rise to the challenge.
“I believe we need a very quick replacement to deal with the problems residents are facing, we must have a period of stability and the party must unite,” he said.
“Our overwhelming and only priority must be to deal with the cost of living crisis, caused mainly through Putin’s War, and Covid, though fully accepting that the government led by Liz Truss has added to existing problems.
“I would hope Rishi Sunak will rise to the challenge.
“I voted for him, and believe after the excellent job he did throughout the pandemic in keeping businesses going and people in work, I am confident that again he would do the right thing, and would work in the national interests for the whole country.”
