A GENERAL election should be called in the wake of Liz Truss quitting as Prime Minister, Scottish politicians and cultural icons have insisted.
After weeks of turmoil in the economy, the sacking of her chancellor and the “resignation” of her home secretary, Truss said on Thursday “I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party” as she announced she would be quitting as PM after just six weeks.
A Tory leadership contest will now be held which is set to last a week. Truss has said she will stay in post until a successor is appointed.
Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon branded the situation as being “beyond parody” and said a General Election was a “democratic imperative”.
She posted on Twitter: “There are no words to describe this utter shambles adequately.
“It’s beyond hyperbole - & parody.
“Reality tho is that ordinary people are paying the price. The interests of the Tory party should concern no-one right now.
“A General Election is now a democratic imperative.
Scottish Tories
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, however, said the party must "move forward with the election of a new leader and Prime Minister to restore stability for the good of the country".
He added: "She [Truss] has made a difficult choice but it is the right decision. There were no other options after recent events.
"It is vital that the Conservative and Unionist Party unites and continues the hard work of getting the whole of the UK through the big challenges we face.”
On Wednesday, Truss had said she was a “fighter not a quitter” but was left with no choice but to concede defeat just 24 hours later as a growing number of MPs from her party called for her to go.
A time of turbulence for sure. But not a reason to permanently tear up our 300 year old Union. Telling how despite a whole book being published to promote Indyref this week, the SNP are still stuck on the same old lines.
— Stephen Kerr MSP (@RealStephenKerr) October 20, 2022
Scottish Conservative chief whip Stephen Kerr said the mess at Westminster was still not a reason for Scotland to be independent.
He said: "A time of turbulence for sure. But not a reason to permanently tear up our 300-year-old Union.
"Telling how despite a whole book being published to promote Indyref this week, the SNP are still stuck on the same old lines."
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said he was "sorry" to see Truss go.
“I am sorry to see the Prime Minister step down. However, she was clear that she was not able to deliver her mandate, and I respect her decision," said Jack.
“What is important now is that the Conservative Party acts quickly to elect a new leader, one we can all get behind.
“We need to unite and continue to deliver for people in our country.”
Scottish Tory MP Andrew Bowie added: "Let's get this done and get on delivering on the manifesto that we got elected on. That must be our focus after all this."
John Lamont, Borders MP, said he hoped Truss's former leadership rival Penny Mordaunt would run in the contest.
He said: "She is exactly the kind of calm, cool and collected leader we need right now."
Ian Blackford
The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford said it would not be enough to merely swap leaders of a “broken” government and that a General Election must now be held.
He said on Twitter: “It was inevitable Liz Truss would have to go after all the damage she's inflicted - but merely swapping leaders of a broken and chaotic Tory government is not enough.
“There must now be a general election. People will accept nothing less.”
Scottish Greens
Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie said the end of Truss should really spell the end for the Tory Party in power at Westminster.
He said: “At just a month and a half, it barely deserves the word ‘tenure’.
“But still a month and half too long. Now the whole Tory Party needs to get the same message. The country has had enough. You're done. Just go.”
The SNP
SNP MP Stewart McDonald added the first action of the new Tory leader should be to go to the people of the UK.
He said: “A new PM will be appointed by Tory MPs within the week. Their first action must surely be to dissolve Parliament and call a General Election.”
It’s all over. The most disastrous Prime Ministership in history. The thing is, the next one could be even worse….. We need to get out.
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) October 20, 2022
Pete Wishart, meanwhile, branded Truss's premiership as the "most disastrous" in history.
He said: "It’s all over. The most disastrous Prime Ministership in history. The thing is, the next one could be even worse….. We need to get out."
Mhairi Black brought some sarcasm to the table with her reaction to Truss's short spell as PM.
She said on Twitter: "It’s like the Tories subscribed for a free month trial and have just remembered to cancel it."
Alex Salmond
The former first minister and now Alba party leader, Alex Salmond, gave a statement following Truss's resignation calling on Sturgeon to immediately table a referendum bill.
He said: "The First Minister should be recalling the Scottish Parliament, seizing the political initiative, taking advantage of the power vacuum and disarray at Westminster, and progressing the cause of independence.
“The Scottish Government should see Westminster’s difficulty as Scotland’s opportunity and immediately table an independence referendum bill in the Scottish Parliament."
Celebrities and cultural figures
Voice of Love Island Iain Stirling poked fun at Truss's brief time in office.
Liz Truss’s reign as Prime Minster was shorter than a series of Love Island.
— Iain Stirling (@IainDoesJokes) October 20, 2022
He said: "Liz Truss’s reign as Prime Minster was shorter than a series of Love Island."
And comedian Frankie Boyle gave a summary of how he felt about another leadership contest.
Boyle said: "Basically the next Prime Minister is going to be chosen by the comments section of MailOnline."
Another one bites the dust. What a complete shambles. Time for a general election https://t.co/FDhOiGfXik
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) October 20, 2022
Outlander star Sam Heughan said he was on board with a general election while sharing a pro-independence Scottish Greens post.
He said: "Another one bites the dust. What a complete shambles. Time for a general election."
Taggart actor Colin McCredie demanded a General Election be called urgently.
Sharing news former prime minister Boris Johnson was set to run in the leadership contest, he said on Twitter: "This has to STOP. General election NOW."
Comedian Joe Lycett was his usual sarcastic self, inviting Truss to take part in the leadership contest.
. @trussliz omg just heard there’s a leadership election nxt week????? u shud run babe youd be perfect!!! 💝💫💥
— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) October 20, 2022
