Dehenna Davison, who supported Liz Truss during her campaign to become Tory Party leader, has expressed her sadness at the Prime Minister’s resignation today.
The Bishop Auckland MP, a close ally of Ms Truss who was made Levelling Up Minister by the outgoing Conservative leader days into her premiership, said she had an ‘ambitious vision’ for the country.
Ms Truss had supported Ms Davison during her own campaign for election in 2019 and visited her in the constituency to give show her support.
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Ms Truss announced she was standing down in a short speech at a lectern outside 10 Downing Street at lunchtime.
It came after days of political turmoil that saw the resignation of Home Secretary Suella Braverman and new chancellor Jeremy Hunt shred policies she endorsed after they caused chaos in financial markets.
Ms Davison said: “I’m saddened by the Prime Minister’s resignation.
“She had an ambitious vision for our country and, with more time, would have delivered a more prosperous and fair country, meaning better life chances for kids growing up in the North East.
“However, mistakes were made which the Prime Minister has acknowledged.
“And sadly there were many who never fully got behind Liz, who was elected by the party precisely because of her bold vision for growth.
“Ultimately, the country needs unity.
“I hope that we can now find some, as the next leader tackles the huge global and domestic challenges we face.
“As ever, I’ll continue to focus on delivering the best I can for my constituency, and as Levelling Up Minister, making sure no matter where people grow up and live, they can get on in life.”
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North Yorkshire MP Rishi Sunak, who was defeated by Ms Truss is now thought to be the favourite to replace her as Prime Minster.
He is likely to be up against leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt and it is understood former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering running because he believes it is ‘ in the national interest’.
Sedgefield MP Paul Howell, who supported Rishi Sunak as Mr Johnson’s replacement when he was forced from office in summer, said: “Clearly it is a disappointing position for us to be needing to appoint another Prime Minister so soon.
“The decisions taken by Liz Truss as Prime Minister generated reactions that left little alternative other than for her to resign, and I hope that we can appoint her successor as swiftly as practicable.
“It is imperative that we get on with delivering the 2019 manifesto that we were elected on, the frustrations of first Covid and then the war in Ukraine have already made this more challenging.
“I am encouraged that the approach the new Chancellor is taking is being well received and I am convinced that his motives in how best to deal with the financial challenges facing us whilst looking through the prism of the most vulnerable are the right ones.”
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