Truss Exit: UK Opposition Leaders Call for Immediate General Election

Keir Starmer renews call for general election with government in turmoil

UK opposition parties heaped pressure on the government to call a general election after Liz Truss said she was quitting as prime minister following just 44 days.

The opposition Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer, called for an immediate general election shortly after the Tory leader announced her resignation on Thursday afternoon - less than six weeks in office amid an unforlding economic crisis.

"The Tories cannot respond to their latest shambles by yet again simply clicking their fingers and shuffling the people at the top without the consent of the British people. We need a general election -- now, "Starmer stressed.

"I'll run my course until a new Conservative leader is elected," Truss said outside of the cabinet headquarters.

"I recognise that given the situation I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party. I have therefore spoken to His Majesty King Charles III to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party," Truss added.

A leadership election for MPs to select her successor will be "completed within the next week," she added.

Despite Truss's resignation, her mini-financial plan will remain in effect until the end of the month, the HM Treasury said, according to Al-Arabiya news.

In early continental reactions to Truss's resignation, French President Emmanuel Macron said "we hope that the UK find its political stability soon."

Meanwhile, the White House stressed that "Washington will maintain close relations with anyone who succeeds Truss."

"Her ignorance was catastrophic," The Russian foreign ministry said in a message on Telegram.

October 20, 2022