�*10 downing street day outside number 10 downing street with liz truss, enhancing her resignation as leader of the conservative party. they will be a new leader and a new prime minister within a week. welcome to viewers both here in the uk and right around the world. the british prime minister liz truss has resigned after six weeks in office, marked by some of the greatest turmoil in post—war british politics. liz truss has admitted in the last few minutes she could no longer deliver the mandate that she was elected on. her decision followed a meeting with the senior conservative party backbencher sir graham brady, the conservatives will hold an election to replace her within the next week, producing the third british prime minister since the summer. the labour party has called for an immediate general election. in a brief statement in

downing street, liz truss blamed turbulent economic conditions for the trouble her government has run into. i the trouble her government has run into. m, ., the trouble her government has run into. ., y . ., the trouble her government has run into. ., . ., ., into. i came into office at a time of ureat into. i came into office at a time of great economic _ into. i came into office at a time of great economic and _ into. i came into office at a time i of great economic and international instability. families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills. that may put an�*s illegal war in ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent. —— putin is micro illegal war. and our whole country has been held back too long by slow economic growth. i was elected by the conservative party with a mandate to change this. we delivered on energy bills, and on cutting national insurance. and we set out a vision for a low tax, high growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of brexit. i recognise, though, 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 the king to notify him that i am resigning as leader of the conservative party. this morning i met the chairman of the 1922 committee, sir graham brady. we have agreed that there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week. this will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country'seconomic stability and national security. i will remain as prime minister until a successor has been chosen. thank you. what a moment in downing street there. liz truss resigning as tory party leader. there will be a new prime minister within a week. some early reaction from the labour leader sir keir starmer, who has renewed his calls for an immediate

general election, and scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, saying that a general election democratic imperative after the resignation of the prime minister. there are no words, said nicola sturgeon, to describe this utter adequately. more from our chief political correspondent, who is in downing street. those calls from opposition leaders for a general election now arejust opposition leaders for a general election now are just going to get louder and louder. i election now are just going to get louder and louder.— election now are just going to get louder and louder. i think they are. and, ou louder and louder. i think they are. and. you know. — louder and louder. i think they are. and, you know, standing _ louder and louder. i think they are. and, you know, standing here - louder and louder. i think they are. and, you know, standing here this| and, you know, standing here this afternoon is very hard to see how some conservative mps won't end up in a similarsort some conservative mps won't end up in a similar sort of place. privately, there are some tory mps who think it's probably time to have a general election because within a week, we're going to have the third prime minister this year. we will have the second prime minister in the row, who has come in without a general election. so i think you're right, that pressure will absolutely grow. in the meantime, the government, the conservative party,

the governing conservative party, has to work out who comes next. it has to work out who comes next. it has a week to do it. and it's going to be a massively cut short process. they will have to figure out very quickly who wants to stand, who doesn't want to stand, the one piece of cast—iron information i can give you just now is thatjeremy hunt won't stand for that position, partly, i think, won't stand for that position, partly, ithink, because he won't stand for that position, partly, i think, because he wants to stay as chancellor and try and maintain some sense of stability when it comes to the economy. his plan, by the way, is still to have that big fiscal statement on the sist that big fiscal statement on the 31st of october. the new prime minister, i suppose, 31st of october. the new prime minister, isuppose, might 31st of october. the new prime minister, i suppose, might have different thoughts on that. but there will be a lot of senior conservative just now deciding whether or not they will stand. i think it is quite possible rishi sunak will. nothing from his team yet. certainly, his supporters view. some of them, however, i have been speaking to the past couple of days

is that he is the man who came second last time, he didn't lose, and a lot of the problems we have seen over the past five weeks when liz truss has been prime minister, he worried about. i think it's possible suella braverman will stand, she was home secretary until yesterday, she quit without excoriating letter which added more weight onto liz truss's shoulders. and while the defence secretary, no word from him yet. —— ben wallace. he decided against it last time, maybe this time he will decide to stand. and other names doing the rounds, like penny mordaunt, the leader of the commons. but stand back from this for a second. this is an unprecedented situation. liz truss has only been prime minister for five weeks. truss has only been prime minister forfive weeks. it's truss has only been prime minister for five weeks. it's a humiliation for five weeks. it's a humiliation for her programme for government. it's a humiliation, frankly, personally, for her as well. and now

the conservative party, the bitterly divided conservative party, has to decide within a week who the new prime minister is going to be. i'm almost certain that will be a rapid process of mps whittling a list down over the next few days. that's not been confirmed yet. we will hear from sir graham brady. i would expect within the next while. probably this afternoon. but that's an extraordinary moment. conservative mps have a lot on their shoulders over the next few days, deciding who the next prime minister is going to be, and how on earth that person gets the government of the governing party and the politics of the uk out of this mess. find the governing party and the politics of the uk out of this mess. and 'ust assumin: of the uk out of this mess. and 'ust assuming it — of the uk out of this mess. and 'ust assuming it is fl of the uk out of this mess. and 'ust assuming it is mps i of the uk out of this mess. and 'ust assuming it is mps only i of the uk out of this mess. and 'ust assuming it is mps only who i of the uk out of this mess. and just assuming it is mps only who make i assuming it is mps only who make this decision, which i guess it has to be, given the timescale, the time frame, only a week, the whole idea of the conservative party at large and those 160,000 members who went

through that pretty long and tortuous selection process over the summer, that's come out the window, hasn't it? i summer, that's come out the window, hasn't it? s summer, that's come out the window, hasn't it? . ., , , hasn't it? i mean, it absolutely has. we hasn't it? i mean, it absolutely has- we will — hasn't it? i mean, it absolutely has. we will find _ hasn't it? i mean, it absolutely has. we will find out _ hasn't it? i mean, it absolutely has. we will find out the - hasn't it? i mean, it absolutely has. we will find out the exact| has. we will find out the exact details of that shortly from sir graham brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee. look, i think, graham brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee. look, ithink, in normal circumstances, the idea of the conservative members being cut out of this process would cause a massive row. i suspect in the situation, given the scale of the crisis, it will not and i suspect a lot of people at home may be wondering, who really cares? let's just get on with it, we need to try and get some sort of stability back at the very heart of government. are we going to get that? it's anyone's guess, to be honest. we don't know exactly what conservative mps will decide. i've spoken to a lot of them over the past few days. the sense i get is that there is not any sort of unity candidate, there is nobody that can get that divided party

behind it right now, standing here at dpm on thursday afternoon. will that change? maybe. the gravity of the crisis is such that maybe they'lljust have the crisis is such that maybe they'll just have to. the crisis is such that maybe they'lljust have to. who it is, as i say, we've just gone over some names. we should also point out, though my senses it's extremely unlikely, nadine dorries, the former culture secretary, is already saying that boris johnson culture secretary, is already saying that borisjohnson is the man on everybody�*s lips, maybe he should be the man to come back given that he got the electoral mandate back in 2019. but, look, i mean, i've not beenin 2019. but, look, i mean, i've not been in politics for as long as some people, i've been at westminster for about six years, but having spoken to some longer serving colleagues, some mps who have been here for decades, i don't think anybody has seen a crisis like this. and the big question that the government now faces, what's left of the government, the big question the conservative party faces comedy the question the country wants answers to, is how on earth does the

government get out of this crisis? thank you so much. for government get out of this crisis? thank you so much.— government get out of this crisis? thank you so much. for the moment, our chief political _ thank you so much. for the moment, our chief political correspondent. - our chief political correspondent. 0n our chief political correspondent. on a day of extreme political drama in downing street, and liz truss is resigning as leader of the conservative party and therefore prime minister. she's been prime ministerfor a total of 44 prime minister. she's been prime minister for a total of 44 days. there will now be a leadership election, as nick wasjust there will now be a leadership election, as nick was just telling us. that will last a week or so. so she will stay on as prime minister until that process is completed, and then she will leave 10 downing street after potential around 50 days. let's get some reaction now from my colleague who is at westminster for us this afternoon. thank you. and as you are mentioning, the leadership contest last for longer than liz truss's

premiership has, it's quite an astonishing statistic, and i was just reflecting how dizzying it is that it was just the 6th of september that i watched boris johnson give his last speech as prime minister and in downing street today we watched liz truss deliver hers, his successor. who would have thought that? by next week, we are told, we will have another prime minister. no surprise, then, we expect the chairman of the 1922 committee of backbenchers, sir graham brady, that's the group of backbenchers responsible for running conservative leadership contest, we will hear from conservative leadership contest, we will hearfrom him very conservative leadership contest, we will hear from him very soon, conservative leadership contest, we will hearfrom him very soon, we conservative leadership contest, we will hear from him very soon, we are told. if he's only got a week to run that election, yes, he certainly needs to get on and tell everyone how that's going to happen is that with me to reflect on the dizzying speed at which events have unfolded, the political editor of huffpost uk. thanks forjoining me. your thoughts this afternoon?— this afternoon? yes, i mean, it's 'ust this afternoon? yes, i mean, it's just remarkable. _ this afternoon? yes, i mean, it's just remarkable. 24 _ this afternoon? yes, i mean, it's just remarkable. 24 hours - this afternoon? yes, i mean, it's just remarkable. 24 hours ago i this afternoon? yes, i mean, it's| just remarkable. 24 hours ago liz truss_ just remarkable. 24 hours ago liz truss said — just remarkable. 24 hours ago liz truss said she was a fighter, not a

quitter. _ truss said she was a fighter, not a quitter. and — truss said she was a fighter, not a quitter, and now she's gone. i think eventually— quitter, and now she's gone. i think eventually related a real terminal term _ eventually related a real terminal term for— eventually related a real terminal term for her last night with the chaos— term for her last night with the chaos over the fracking vote, i think— chaos over the fracking vote, i think that _ chaos over the fracking vote, i think thatjust writ chaos over the fracking vote, i think that just writ large how the tory party— think that just writ large how the tory party was in meltdown, essentially. she had no authority, couldrit— essentially. she had no authority, couldn't even work out whether it was a _ couldn't even work out whether it was a confidence motion, her mps were _ was a confidence motion, her mps were voting — was a confidence motion, her mps were voting on, or not. and even theni _ were voting on, or not. and even then, probably mps were wavering, maybe _ then, probably mps were wavering, maybe even then willing to give her second _ maybe even then willing to give her second chance, then thought it's all oven _ second chance, then thought it's all over. �* �* , ., second chance, then thought it's all over. ~ �* , . ., second chance, then thought it's all over. . �* , . ., ., second chance, then thought it's all over. . h . ., ., ~ over. and it's a reminder that no pm is bi ier over. and it's a reminder that no pm is bigger than _ over. and it's a reminder that no pm is bigger than the _ over. and it's a reminder that no pm is bigger than the parliamentary - is bigger than the parliamentary party. is bigger than the parliamentary .a . ., . , , is bigger than the parliamentary party. exactly. the rules for the 1922 committee _ party. exactly. the rules for the 1922 committee are _ party. exactly. the rules for the 1922 committee are that - party. exactly. the rules for the 1922 committee are that a - party. exactly. the rules for the 1922 committee are that a new| party. exactly. the rules for the - 1922 committee are that a new prime minister— 1922 committee are that a new prime minister has a year before they can be challenged, but itjust shows those _ be challenged, but itjust shows those rules don't mean anything if they lose — those rules don't mean anything if they lose the support of the vast majority — they lose the support of the vast majority of their mps and probably her cabinet, as well. sol majority of their mps and probably her cabinet, as well. so i think it's seemed pretty clear since last friday. _ it's seemed pretty clear since last friday, when she sacked as a kwatengi _ friday, when she sacked as a kwateng, the u—turn on the budget,

that time _ kwateng, the u—turn on the budget, that time was running out. i don't think— that time was running out. i don't think any— that time was running out. i don't think any of— that time was running out. i don't think any of us thought it would escalate — think any of us thought it would escalate quite so quickly but i think— escalate quite so quickly but i think it — escalate quite so quickly but i think itjust shows escalate quite so quickly but i think it just shows you how few brown — think it just shows you how few brown things are at the moment and whoever— brown things are at the moment and whoever comes in next —— healthy braille _ whoever comes in next —— healthy braille things are and whoever comes a nexus _ braille things are and whoever comes a nexus prime minister will face a difficult _ a nexus prime minister will face a difficultjob. the a nexus prime minister will face a difficultjob— difficult “0b. the decision of the next difficult job. the decision of the next pregnancy _ difficult job. the decision of the next pregnancy will _ difficult job. the decision of the next pregnancy will be - difficult job. the decision of the next pregnancy will be taken i difficult job. the decision of the next pregnancy will be taken by difficult job. the decision of the - next pregnancy will be taken byjust the parliamentary party, given that short amount of time in which is going to be done, it's an awful toll order to find someone who is going to unify what is a pretty disunited party right now?— party right now? yes, it's incredibly _ party right now? yes, it's incredibly fractious. - party right now? yes, it's i incredibly fractious. there's party right now? yes, it's - incredibly fractious. there's all sorts— incredibly fractious. there's all sorts of— incredibly fractious. there's all sorts of tribes within the premature party— sorts of tribes within the premature party now. — sorts of tribes within the premature party now, splits, from top to bottoni~ — party now, splits, from top to bottom. so how they're going to come up bottom. so how they're going to come up with— bottom. so how they're going to come up with a _ bottom. so how they're going to come up with a candidate who will secure the support of all of them, i think is going _ the support of all of them, i think is going to — the support of all of them, i think is going to be impossible. it's whether— is going to be impossible. it's whether or not they can secure the support— whether or not they can secure the sopport of— whether or not they can secure the support of enough to keep them going. _ support of enough to keep them going. to — support of enough to keep them going, to give the show on the road until the _ going, to give the show on the road until the next general election, because — until the next general election, because as i say, you've got the tikes— because as i say, you've got the likes of— because as i say, you've got the likes of suella braverman on the

right— likes of suella braverman on the right of— likes of suella braverman on the right of the party, you've got people — right of the party, you've got people like jeremy hunt on the other end of— people like jeremy hunt on the other end of the _ people like jeremy hunt on the other end of the party, how you bring thosem — end of the party, how you bring those... �* end of the party, how you bring those... . ., �* , ., those... and he said he won't stand. he won't but — those... and he said he won't stand. he won't but he _ those. .. and he said he won't stand. he won't but he still— those... and he said he won't stand. he won't but he still represents - those... and he said he won't stand. he won't but he still represents a . he won't but he still represents a wing _ he won't but he still represents a wing of— he won't but he still represents a wing of the party, and how you can be a teader— wing of the party, and how you can be a leader of both those wings, as we have _ be a leader of both those wings, as we have seen, borisjohnson could not do _ we have seen, borisjohnson could not do it. — we have seen, borisjohnson could not do it. liz— we have seen, borisjohnson could not do it, liz truss could not do it, not do it, liz truss could not do it. it's _ not do it, liz truss could not do it. it's going _ not do it, liz truss could not do it, it's going to be difficult for whoever— it, it's going to be difficult for whoever comes next to try to first of all _ whoever comes next to try to first of all lead — whoever comes next to try to first of all lead to the party, before you can think— of all lead to the party, before you can think about leading the country as a whole — can think about leading the country as a whole. but can think about leading the country as a whole-— can think about leading the country asawhole. �* . ., , ., ., , as a whole. but that lead us towards the parliamentary _ as a whole. but that lead us towards the parliamentary party _ as a whole. but that lead us towards the parliamentary party looking - the parliamentary party looking towards a more centrist candidate and if that was the case, who do you think it might be? i and if that was the case, who do you think it might be?— think it might be? i think penny mordaunt will— think it might be? i think penny mordaunt will be _ think it might be? i think penny mordaunt will be there - think it might be? i think penny mordaunt will be there or- mordaunt will be there or thereabouts, ben wallace could well be seen _ thereabouts, ben wallace could well be seen as— thereabouts, ben wallace could well be seen as someone who is neither one wing _ be seen as someone who is neither one wing or— be seen as someone who is neither one wing or the other, has done a reasonably— one wing or the other, has done a reasonably good job as defence secretary, so he might be in with a good _ secretary, so he might be in with a good shout~ — secretary, so he might be in with a good shout. i think rishi sunak is, i believe _ good shout. i think rishi sunak is, i believe he — good shout. i think rishi sunak is, i believe he is a bookies' favourite, but i believe you might struggle — favourite, but i believe you might struggle because as we saw during the last— struggle because as we saw during the last leadership election during the last leadership election during the summer, a lot of tory mps and

members— the summer, a lot of tory mps and members don't like him because they blame _ members don't like him because they blame him _ members don't like him because they blame him for bringing down boris johnson _ blame him for bringing down boris johnson. ., ~ , ., blame him for bringing down boris johnson. ., ~ , , ~, johnson. one of the mps who publicly declared earlier _ johnson. one of the mps who publicly declared earlier that _ johnson. one of the mps who publicly declared earlier that he _ johnson. one of the mps who publicly declared earlier that he had _ johnson. one of the mps who publicly declared earlier that he had no - declared earlier that he had no faith or confidence in liz truss to continue as prime minister, he said evenif continue as prime minister, he said even if the angel gabriel was to be the next prime minister, what is urgently required as the party rediscovering discipline, mutual respect and teamwork. do you really think they're going to be able to put on a united front in a week, even though they must know that whatever wing of the party they come from, that if they don't put on that united front, it's going to look frankly ridiculous, isn't it? it is because they've _ frankly ridiculous, isn't it? it is because they've all _ frankly ridiculous, isn't it? it is because they've all given so many quotes— because they've all given so many quotes over the last few weeks, supporting one candidate doing the last leadership election, supporting liz last leadership election, supporting liz truss— last leadership election, supporting liz truss and criticising rishi sunak. — liz truss and criticising rishi sunak. so— liz truss and criticising rishi sunak, so if sinag were to become leader. _ sunak, so if sinag were to become leader. att— sunak, so if sinag were to become leader, all of those quotes that his new colleagues and cabinet members have made _ new colleagues and cabinet members have made in the past about him would _ have made in the past about him would be — have made in the past about him would be thrown back on their faces

-- if_ would be thrown back on their faces -- if suank— would be thrown back on their faces —— if suank were to become leader. there _ —— if suank were to become leader. there so— —— if suank were to become leader. there so much blood on the water that i_ there so much blood on the water that i think— there so much blood on the water that i think it be so difficult for any conservative leader to bring the party _ any conservative leader to bring the party together. the one thing that will unite — party together. the one thing that will unite them, however, is the prospect— will unite them, however, is the prospect of— will unite them, however, is the prospect of a general election, and at the _ prospect of a general election, and at the moment they're looking at a conservative wipe—out if opinion polls _ conservative wipe—out if opinion polls are — conservative wipe—out if opinion polls are to be believed, so what they need — polls are to be believed, so what they need to do now, i think, its focus _ they need to do now, i think, its focus on — they need to do now, i think, its focus on the _ they need to do now, i think, its focus on the common enemy, which is the labour— focus on the common enemy, which is the labour party, and that might 'ust the labour party, and that might just knock— the labour party, and that might just knock a few heads together and force them — just knock a few heads together and force them to come together, and try to salvage _ force them to come together, and try to salvage as much as they can from the next _ to salvage as much as they can from the next general election. what makes you _ the next general election. what makes you think _ the next general election. what makes you think it _ the next general election. what makes you think it might - the next general election. r”iiisgii makes you think it might change? because this is their final chance. ithink— because this is their final chance. i think they— because this is their final chance. i think they realise that they can't have _ i think they realise that they can't have another prime minister after this one. — have another prime minister after this one, this has to be the last tory— this one, this has to be the last tory teader— this one, this has to be the last tory leader before the next general election. _ tory leader before the next general election, at which point they will be facing — election, at which point they will be facing a labour party which is ahead _ be facing a labour party which is ahead in— be facing a labour party which is ahead in the polls, very confident, that they— ahead in the polls, very confident, that they are heading for power. so if there _ that they are heading for power. so if there is— that they are heading for power. so if there is one thing the conservative party is good at usually. _ conservative party is good at usually, it's clinging to power, and ithink— usually, it's clinging to power, and i think we — usually, it's clinging to power, and i think we will see those survival instincts — i think we will see those survival instincts kick in, the closer we get

to the _ instincts kick in, the closer we get to the next— instincts kick in, the closer we get to the next election.— to the next election. good to talk to the next election. good to talk to ou. to you. so, liz truss saying they're in her resignation speech just 44 days in office as prime minister, that she had not been able to deliver the mandate on which she had been elected, to lead the party to become prime minister. sojust elected, to lead the party to become prime minister. so just 44 days in office. the election campaign to become leader longer than her period as pm. joining me now is kirsten oswald, snp mp. thank you for joining me. first, give us your thoughts... i'm going to pose you, here's a sir graham brady, chairman of the 1922 committee. including the party being consulted by friday— including the party being consulted by friday next _ including the party being consulted by friday next week. _ including the party being consulted by friday next week. do _ including the party being consulted by friday next week.— including the party being consulted by friday next week. do you accept that this is a _ by friday next week. do you accept that this is a complete _ by friday next week. do you accept that this is a complete dog's - that this is a complete dog's dinner? �* ,

that this is a complete dog's dinner? 3 . ., , that this is a complete dog's dinner? �*, . ., , ., ., dinner? it's certainly not a circumstance _ dinner? it's certainly not a circumstance i _ dinner? it's certainly not a circumstance i would - dinner? it's certainly not a circumstance i would wish| dinner? it's certainly not a i circumstance i would wish to dinner? it's certainly not a - circumstance i would wish to see. will you _ circumstance i would wish to see. will you have _ circumstance i would wish to see. will you have to— circumstance i would wish to see. will you have to make _ circumstance i would wish to see. will you have to make a - circumstance i would wish to see. | will you have to make a threshold for nominations with a high in order to flush out candidates was like you just can't waste time on this, can you? just can't waste time on this, can ou? , ., just can't waste time on this, can ou? , . ., , ., , you? these are details that will be clear later on. _ you? these are details that will be clear later on. i _ you? these are details that will be clear later on. i haven't _ you? these are details that will be clear later on. i haven't got - you? these are details that will be clear later on. i haven't got any i clear later on. i haven't got any more _ clear later on. i haven't got any more detail— clear later on. i haven't got any more detail to _ clear later on. i haven't got any more detail to share _ clear later on. i haven't got any more detail to share with - clear later on. i haven't got any more detail to share with you . clear later on. i haven't got any i more detail to share with you now but there — more detail to share with you now but there will— more detail to share with you now but there will be _ more detail to share with you now but there will be some _ more detail to share with you now but there will be some clarity... . but there will be some clarity... how— but there will be some clarity... how disappointed _ but there will be some clarity... how disappointed are _ but there will be some clarity... how disappointed are you, i but there will be some clarity... how disappointed are you, justl but there will be some clarity... i how disappointed are you, just one more _ how disappointed are you, just one more question, how disappointed are you in— more question, how disappointed are you in this? _ more question, how disappointed are you in this? this is the third prime minister— you in this? this is the third prime minister in — you in this? this is the third prime minister in four months, the public must _ minister in four months, the public must be _ minister in four months, the public must be looking at this and thinking, what on earth is going on? this is— thinking, what on earth is going on? this is the _ thinking, what on earth is going on? this is the governing party... absolutely and we are deeply conscious _ absolutely and we are deeply conscious of _ absolutely and we are deeply conscious of the _ absolutely and we are deeply conscious of the imperative l absolutely and we are deeplyl conscious of the imperative of absolutely and we are deeply- conscious of the imperative of the national— conscious of the imperative of the national interest— conscious of the imperative of the national interest of— conscious of the imperative of the national interest of resolving i conscious of the imperative of the national interest of resolving thisl national interest of resolving this clearly _ national interest of resolving this clearly and — national interest of resolving this clearly and quickly. _ national interest of resolving this clearly and quickly. if— national interest of resolving this clearly and quickly.— clearly and quickly. if there will not be a general _ clearly and quickly. if there will not be a general election, i clearly and quickly. if there will not be a general election, how| clearly and quickly. if there will. not be a general election, how can you continue...? not be a general election, how can you continue. . . ?_ not be a general election, how can you continue. . . ?— you continue. . . ? that isn't the matter. you continue. . . ? that isn't the matter- will — you continue. . . ? that isn't the matter. will there _ you continue. . . ? that isn't the matter. will there be - you continue. . . ? that isn't the matter. will there be two i you continue. . . ? that isn't the i matter. will there be two candidates movini matter. will there be two candidates moving forward _ matter. will there be two candidates moving forward to _ matter. will there be two candidates moving forward to membership? i matter. will there be two candidates| moving forward to membership? the -a will moving forward to membership? the party will say there are to candidates must there's only one

candidate — candidates must there's only one candidate. if there's only one candidate, there is only one candidate. i can't give you more detait — candidate. ican't give you more detait |s— candidate. i can't give you more detail. , ., ., ., candidate. i can't give you more detail. , . . ., . detail. is it a good idea to have this contest _ detail. is it a good idea to have this contest truncated - detail. is it a good idea to have this contest truncated one i detail. is it a good idea to have i this contest truncated one week? detail. is it a good idea to have - this contest truncated one week? was it liz truss's idea or yours? i think it's a matter on which there is a pretty— think it's a matter on which there is a pretty broad acceptance. thank you. well, there you. - well, there is you. — well, there is sir graham you. well, there is sir graham brady, a pivotalfigure in the well, there is sir graham brady, a pivotal figure in the conservative party, he is the chair of the 1922 committee of backbench mps, very, very influential. it was him who went into downing street this morning to see the prime minister, she had asked to see him to gauge the mood of tory mps, and it's pretty clear he gave her a pretty negative message, because that then led to her walking out and announcing her resignation, and he hasjust spelt announcing her resignation, and he has just spelt out what will happen

in terms of the leadership election now to find a replacement for a liz truss, and it will go to party members. let's go back to our chief political correspondent. it's not going to be just political correspondent. it's not going to bejust mps. talk political correspondent. it's not going to be just mps. talk us through what we heard there from graham brady?— graham brady? let's wait and see what happens _ graham brady? let's wait and see what happens over— graham brady? let's wait and see what happens over the _ graham brady? let's wait and see what happens over the next i graham brady? let's wait and see what happens over the next few i what happens over the next few hours, because what sir graham brady said there, as things stand, the rules are that the last two go to the membership unless there is only one left, so that does suggest to me there is still a bit of wriggle room, and one of the things that's been discussed in parliament of the last few days is that mps could set such a high threshold that only an mp with a lot of support could get there. it's not certain what will happen, to be frankly honest with you. as i said a few minutes ago, this is an unprecedented crisis, unprecedented situation, for conservative mps it's an

unprecedented situation to be in. so what happens now? i think we will get more details by the close of play today from what sir graham brady just play today from what sir graham bradyjust said, i think he will be conscious that he will need to spell out how the next prime minister will be chosen, if the next prime minister is going to be in number ten by the end of the week, what is likely to happen, i think there are a lot of mps who do not want this to go to the party membership, who are worried about that and think they just need to get it over and done with as soon as possible. the logistics of trying to consult the membership within a week are extremely hard to figure out unless it was a quick online ballot, but even then, they would have to whittle it down to the last two extremely quickly. so we wait for more details on exactly what happens. 5ir more details on exactly what ha sens. ,, , ., ., more details on exactly what ha ens. ,, , ., ., �* ., , more details on exactly what has-ens, ,, . m, , more details on exactly what ha ens. ,, , ., ., �* ., , ., happens. sir graham brady said that the new prime _ happens. sir graham brady said that the new prime minister— happens. sir graham brady said that the new prime minister would i happens. sir graham brady said that the new prime minister would be i happens. sir graham brady said that the new prime minister would be inl the new prime minister would be in place before the fiscal statement on october 31, which is obviously a

crucial date. as you say, they would clearly like one candidate to emerge. who is that going to be, though? how likely is that, that the whole parliamentary party could coalesce around one candidate? it’s coalesce around one candidate? it�*s unlikely, is the simple answer. this morning it seemed pretty much impossible to me, actually, when i was chatting to tory mps in parliament. we should emphasise, the reason we keep talking about conservative mps is, they are so influential at the moment. for the second time this year, they're going to play an absolutely key role in deciding who our next prime minister is. i don't whittle it down to the last two or choosing the person themselves. can they coalesce around one person? at the moment i think it's one person? at the moment i think its extraordinary hard to say. the names did the rounds already in my whatsapp are rishi sunak, i think his supporters will inevitably argue that he came second last time and got a lot of it right when it came

to the dangers of inflation, that's what they will say. i think suella braverman, who resigned as home secretary yesterday, is ambitious and she may fancy a tilt at trying to be the candidate of the right this time. remember that liz truss beat her to that mantle last time, and that allowed liz truss to get into the final two. penny mordaunt, maybe. i know a lot of mps have concerns that she is not been tested in a crisis situation before, so may not be the right person, but is potentially someone who may be sitting in her office right now, weighing up the options. keep an eye on ben wallace, the defence secretary. he did not stand last time, i've been asking some of his allies within the past hour if he might stand. no answerjust yet, maybe that means they're weighing it up, maybe we should not read too much into it, but i think there will be some pressure on him to stand. i know some of his cabinet colleagues have been making the case for him behind closed doors over the last few days. there are other names out

there, i suspect kemi badenoch will think about it given that she was popular with a lot of tory mps last time. maybe the former health secretary sajid javid. it's a long list, there is no clear person there that would be a runaway favourite. i think my sense is that rishi sunak would be the favourite to get the most support among mps, simply because he did last time. at they will be very conscious that he is divisive, particularly amongst supporters of borisjohnson, who think he stabbed the former prime minister in the back when he resigned. an borisjohnson, what about him? maybe, just maybe. the former culture secretary nadine dorries are suggesting already that he is the only man with a mandate. i think it's unlikely but unlikely things happen around this post could just now! things happen around this post could 'ust now! ., . ., ., things happen around this post could 'ust now! ., _, ., ., ,~' ,, just now! your colleague asked sir graham brady. — just now! your colleague asked sir graham brady, it's _ just now! your colleague asked sir graham brady, it's all— just now! your colleague asked sir graham brady, it's all a _ just now! your colleague asked sir graham brady, it's all a dogs i graham brady, it's all a dogs dinner, isn't it? and he said in

reply, well, it's not a circumstance i would wish to see. clearly, embarrassed, really, by this whole situation, and wanting to get all of this done within a matter of days. i think tory mps feel quite humiliated by it, actually. the level of embarrassment i've picked up of the last few days, the level of feeling that this is just, last few days, the level of feeling that this isjust, the last few days, the level of feeling that this is just, the show has completely come off the road, there are no wheels left on the car, things are extraordinarily bad. i think a lot of them have given up, quite frankly, certainly among those i've spoken to in the last few days, i've spoken to in the last few days, i've spoken to ministers who are dusting off their cvs with a view to losing their seat and having to find something else to do. it's a complete mess. it is chaos. and i think the question tory mps will have to face up to in the next few hours is how do they give the impression they can move on from this? can they give that impression? there will be a lot of people arguing it's impossible. the labour

party are already arguing there needs to be a general election because the conservatives have lost the mandate to govern, the ability to unite the party. the division is just so bad that for the case of the economy in the country it's time to move on. other opposition parties would agree with that. the snp leader because sturgeon has been saying that, the lib dem leader ed davey, as well. —— nicola sturgeon. so there's a of challenge for tory mps in the next few days to get this done, to get someone else into this post could come at this address, i should say, within the next week. when that person will face an extraordinary situation. because a week on friday... i've lost my dates. the 31st of october, whenever thatis, dates. the 31st of october, whenever that is, it's monday, isn't it? as things stand, that's the day the chancellor, jeremy hunt, is supposed to be giving a big update on how an icy government is going to fill the massive fiscal black hole that has been run up with some of the plans

that have emerged over the past few weeks under liz truss. he's got a huge challenge. but before that, he is facing a new prime minister that will possibly only have three days to make sure their plans add up. good to have you with us once again. our chief political correspondent 0ur chief political correspondent in a slightly drizzly downing street, also a downing street that has seen extraordinary moments in the last couple of hours with liz truss announcing her resignation as leader of the conservative party, as nick was saying there, and new prime minister should be in place within a few days, once there has been that tory party leadership contest. let's go for more reaction back to my colleague at westminster. thank you. by next friday, the 20th of october, we are told there will be a new prime minister in place, and you would think that one of the lessons of what has unfolded since liz truss became prime minister is that the prime minister of the day

has to, above all else, enjoy the support of her or his parliamentary party. but we did hear there from sir graham brady, chairman of the 1922 committee, that the membership will somehow be included in this decision—making process. just a week, so a really fast timetable. that's get some reaction now from kristin oswald, snp mp, thank you forjoining me. you may want tojust tag yourself in ever so slightly. —— kirsten oswald. first, just take stock for us about what has happened in the last couple of hours. 0bviously in the last couple of hours. obviously there were suggestions this was coming, still extraordinary to see. it this was coming, still extraordinary to see. , ., ., ., , this was coming, still extraordinary to see. , .., ., , ., to see. it is extraordinary, and i su iose to see. it is extraordinary, and i suppose we _ to see. it is extraordinary, and i suppose we could _ to see. it is extraordinary, and i suppose we could use _ to see. it is extraordinary, and i suppose we could use that i to see. it is extraordinary, and i suppose we could use that word to see. it is extraordinary, and i. suppose we could use that word to describe _ suppose we could use that word to describe almost any number of events over the _ describe almost any number of events over the last weeks and months, actually, — over the last weeks and months, actually, and perhaps it is extraordinary to see but i think for a lot of— extraordinary to see but i think for a lot of people, it's not before time — a lot of people, it's not before time i— a lot of people, it's not before time. i think i have a lot of people, it's not before time. ithink i have been a lot of people, it's not before time. i think i have been calls from within— time. i think i have been calls from within the — time. i think i have been calls from within the conservative party for

the prime — within the conservative party for the prime minister to go, and within the conservative party for the prime ministerto go, and it within the conservative party for the prime minister to go, and it is absolutely— the prime minister to go, and it is absolutely right that she has done so. absolutely right that she has done so but— absolutely right that she has done so but i— absolutely right that she has done so. but i think there are an awful lot of— so. but i think there are an awful lot of unanswered questions remaining. we have heard about the desire _ remaining. we have heard about the desire from — remaining. we have heard about the desire from the conservatives have another— desire from the conservatives have another prime minister in place within— another prime minister in place within a — another prime minister in place within a week from now, and quite confusing — within a week from now, and quite confusing to me ideas about how they're _ confusing to me ideas about how they're going make that happen, by consuiiing — they're going make that happen, by consulting their members. there is obviously— consulting their members. there is obviously a — consulting their members. there is obviously a big elephant in the room there _ obviously a big elephant in the room there. there are people that should be consulted about who the prime minister— be consulted about who the prime minister should be, and that's the general— minister should be, and that's the general public. that's what's missing _ general public. that's what's missing here. this has been a real democratic— missing here. this has been a real democratic issue and it's going to be a bigger one if there is a suggestion that we should simply accept _ suggestion that we should simply accept another prime minister who didn't— accept another prime minister who didn't vote — accept another prime minister who didn't vote for. but accept another prime minister who didn't vote for.— accept another prime minister who didn't vote for. but the bottom line is, there didn't vote for. but the bottom line is. there is — didn't vote for. but the bottom line is. there is no _ didn't vote for. but the bottom line is, there is no mechanism - didn't vote for. but the bottom line is, there is no mechanism to i didn't vote for. but the bottom line is, there is no mechanism to get i didn't vote for. but the bottom line is, there is no mechanism to get a| is, there is no mechanism to get a general election. you, the lib dems and labourare general election. you, the lib dems and labour are calling for one but there is no mechanism to get to that point. there is no mechanism to get to that ioint. ., there is no mechanism to get to that oint. ., .,. ., , there is no mechanism to get to that oint. . . , , there is no mechanism to get to that ioint. . ., , , point. that actually is something the tory members _ point. that actually is something the tory members of— point. that actually is something the tory members of parliament | point. that actually is something i the tory members of parliament needs to think— the tory members of parliament needs to think about it for themselves. they— to think about it for themselves. they need — to think about it for themselves. they need to grow a backbone on this _

they need to grow a backbone on this, if— they need to grow a backbone on this, if i— they need to grow a backbone on this, if i might say so. it's not good — this, if i might say so. it's not good enough that we have discontinued this notion that we 'ust discontinued this notion that we just slot— discontinued this notion that we just slot someone else in an office and we _ just slot someone else in an office and we all— just slot someone else in an office and we all carry on. there are so many— and we all carry on. there are so many people who have been slotted into office _ many people who have been slotted into office recently. this is not how _ into office recently. this is not how a — into office recently. this is not how a democracy should work. westminster is not working, it's not functioning — westminster is not working, it's not functioning at all. and i think particularly for people in scotland, who have — particularly for people in scotland, who have not voted for a tory government since 1955, to have yet another— government since 1955, to have yet another tory prime minister who we didn't— another tory prime minister who we didn't vote — another tory prime minister who we didn't vote for impose upon us after all the _ didn't vote for impose upon us after all the chaos and damage that theresa — all the chaos and damage that theresa may... back i would make a so many _ theresa may... back i would make a so many tory — theresa may... back i would make a so many tory ministers, liz truss had brought— so many tory ministers, liz truss had brought in short tenure... the damage _ had brought in short tenure... the damage that she has caused. | had brought in short tenure... the damage that she has caused. i hope eve one damage that she has caused. i hope everyone can _ damage that she has caused. i hope everyone can hear _ damage that she has caused. i hope everyone can hear is _ damage that she has caused. i hope everyone can hear is clearly - damage that she has caused. i hope everyone can hear is clearly over- everyone can hear is clearly over the sound of the rain, we will do our best to make ourselves heard. there was a radio interview recently

and the person on the poll was saying that what's happening here was a recruiting sergeant for scottish independence, to what extent do you think that's true? i think anyone, whether in scotland or anywhere _ think anyone, whether in scotland or anywhere else, actually looking at this shambles we have had to deal with over— this shambles we have had to deal with over the past few weeks and months. — with over the past few weeks and months, would certainly very reasonably think there must be a better— reasonably think there must be a better way of doing things, so it's no surprise — better way of doing things, so it's no surprise that people in scotland are looking at westminster and saying. — are looking at westminster and saying, that's what make this is ridiculous. _ saying, that's what make this is ridiculous, undemocratic, chaotic, costing _ ridiculous, undemocratic, chaotic, costing us— ridiculous, undemocratic, chaotic, costing us money, damaging pupils lives _ costing us money, damaging pupils lives 0f— costing us money, damaging pupils lives. of course there is a better way. _ lives. of course there is a better way. there — lives. of course there is a better way, there absolutely is a better way _ way, there absolutely is a better way so — way, there absolutely is a better way so i— way, there absolutely is a better way. so i am clearly of the mind that scottish independence cannot come _ that scottish independence cannot come soon enough, and i think that the chaos— come soon enough, and i think that the chaos here with the demonstrates, for me and so many others. _ demonstrates, for me and so many others. that— demonstrates, for me and so many others, that we can do so much better— others, that we can do so much better than— others, that we can do so much better than this. if others, that we can do so much better than this.— better than this. if any other .a l better than this. if any other party, hypothetically, i better than this. if any other party, hypothetically, was i better than this. if any other- party, hypothetically, was looking for a new leader, do you think doing it in a week would be a pretty tall order? it it in a week would be a pretty tall order? . . .. it in a week would be a pretty tall order? , , ,, ., , ,, order? it seems like a bunker suggestion — order? it seems like a bunker suggestion to _

order? it seems like a bunker suggestion to me. _ order? it seems like a bunker suggestion to me. i _ order? it seems like a bunker suggestion to me. i can't i order? it seems like a bunker- suggestion to me. i can't imagine how that's — suggestion to me. i can't imagine how that's going to be a workable, property— how that's going to be a workable, properly organised, transparent contest — properly organised, transparent contest i— properly organised, transparent contest. i would properly organised, transparent contest. iwould imagine properly organised, transparent contest. i would imagine that it will lead — contest. i would imagine that it will lead to a lot of questions from those _ will lead to a lot of questions from those who— will lead to a lot of questions from those who want to participate in the contest. _ those who want to participate in the contest. as— those who want to participate in the contest, as well as those who support— contest, as well as those who support them. but again, i go back to the _ support them. but again, i go back to the fact — support them. but again, i go back to the fact that most of the people asking _ to the fact that most of the people asking questions about how proper this is— asking questions about how proper this is and — asking questions about how proper this is and how democratic this is are going — this is and how democratic this is are going to be the people outside the westminster bubble, who i think probably— the westminster bubble, who i think probably find it unforgivable that we have — probably find it unforgivable that we have rome's in the lobbies, we people's— we have rome's in the lobbies, we people's mortgages going about huge rates because of the actions of this government and they don't have a say, government and they don't have a say. that's— government and they don't have a say, that's not sustainable.- say, that's not sustainable. thank ou. focusing there on what her argument is that this is not democratic for the conservative party to then appoint another prime minister.

0bviously, appoint another prime minister. obviously, we had borisjohnson, he was elected with huge majority. was replaced with liz truss and that was a vote among the party's own mps and the wider party membership. now moving to another very truncated one week voting process. again, among the party's mps and membership to choose choose another conservative prime minister. a really, really short timeframe and sir —— and there will be more details about how that is going to happen a little bit later on today. 0bviously, he has got to go into fast forward like the rest of the conservative party, in order to meet that timeframe. and joining me now is, i'm going to guest injust a joining me now is, i'm going to guest in just a moment. joining me now is, i'm going to guest injust a moment. but joining me now is, i'm going to guest in just a moment. but have to go back to the studio right now to my colleague, ben brown. thank you. we had some reaction the last couple of minutes from the labour leader

circular starmer. he has been saying there has to be an immediate general election in the wake of liz truss's resignation saying, after 12 years of tory failure, the british people deserve more than this revolving door of chaos. let's have a listen to what he has been saying. well, what a mess- _ to what he has been saying. well, what a mess. this _ to what he has been saying. well, what a mess. this is _ to what he has been saying. well, what a mess. this is not - to what he has been saying. well, what a mess. this is notjust i to what he has been saying. well, what a mess. this is notjust a - to what he has been saying. fill what a mess. this is notjust a soap opera at the top of the tory party. it is linkage damage to our economy and the reputation of our country. and the public a pain with higher prices, with higher mortgages. so we can't have a revolving door of chaos. we can't have another experiment. there is an alternative and that is a staple labour government and the public eye entitled to have their say and that is where they should be a general election. , , , ., , election. some simply for this trust, election. some simply for this trust. her _ election. some simply for this trust, her time _ election. some simply for this trust, her time in _ election. some simply for this trust, her time in office - election. some simply for this trust, her time in office pretty humiliating?— trust, her time in office pretty humiliating? trust, her time in office pretty humiliatin- ? ., ., , ., trust, her time in office pretty humiliatina? ., ., , ., ., humiliating? the damage been done to the ublic humiliating? the damage been done to the public through _ humiliating? the damage been done to the public through higher _ humiliating? the damage been done to the public through higher prices - humiliating? the damage been done to

the public through higher prices and . the public through higher prices and mortgages is not a soap opera. these are real lives that have been impacted by the mass of the top of the toy dobbe have had this revolving door, we've had these experiments, the public are entitled to choose between this utter chaos and a labour party which will stabilise the economy and we've got a clear plan for growth, for living standards, and forjobs at the future. in the general election so the public can make their mind up about this utter chaos. isn’t the public can make their mind up about this utter chaos.— about this utter chaos. isn't an argument _ about this utter chaos. isn't an argument that _ about this utter chaos. isn't an argument that a _ about this utter chaos. isn't an argument that a general- about this utter chaos. isn't an l argument that a general election will prolong the stability to an outcome of that general election? do we need the chance for a clean slate

and just to stabilise the ship? the and 'ust to stabilise the ship? the risk and just to stabilise the ship? the risk at the and just to stabilise the ship? ire risk at the moment and just to stabilise the ship? iue risk at the moment is and just to stabilise the ship? iie risk at the moment is continuing with this chaos, not having a stable labour government, that is why they should be a general election. we cannotjust allow should be a general election. we cannot just allow the tory party to keep putting up the next candidate in the middle of this chaos. there is a choice. there is a labour party thatis is a choice. there is a labour party that is capable of stabilising the economy, has a clear plan and the public are entitled to choose between that stable labour government and this utter chaos of the conservatives. are government and this utter chaos of the conservatives.— government and this utter chaos of the conservatives. are you ready for government? _ the conservatives. are you ready for government? this _ the conservatives. are you ready for government? this is _ the conservatives. are you ready for government? this is not _ the conservatives. are you ready for government? this is not the - the conservatives. are you ready forj government? this is not the context you would like to take over? element we are ready to form a government, to stabilise the economy and implement a real plan for growth for living standards, to help people to a cost of living crisis. and that is the choice now. a stable labour government or this utter chaos from the conservatives. that is sir keir starmer demanding an immediate general election. let's recap on what we have heard from sir graham brady who is chair of the committee of backbenchers who has been talking about how the leadership election is going to take place and he has been saying that he expects a new leader to be in place by friday 28th of october and that is significant

because it is just before the scheduled fiscal statement which the government will be delivering on finances on october 31. so a new leader will be in place says sir graham brady by october 28th. but exactly how that election is going to take place isn't quite clear. it depends on how many potential candidates there are so watch this space on that. let's go back to anita, who isjust outside space on that. let's go back to anita, who is just outside the houses of parliament. thanks, ben. i actually have the ideal guest with me to talk about the processes, the procedures from here on in. that is senior fellow at the institute for government, thank you very much for joining us. it was interesting to hear the labour leader sir keir starmer characterise what is going to happen next, this one—week process to choose another conservative leader and prime minister as an experiment at the top of the conservative party and he

along with other political parties and calling for another general election for the members public have been getting in touch a lot recently to say why isn't there a general election in the circumstances? find election in the circumstances? and the reason — election in the circumstances? and the reason is _ election in the circumstances? fific the reason is because election in the circumstances? el“ic the reason is because the conservative party don't want one and they have, in theory, a working majority. 50 they are able to command confidence in the commons, which is the key to being able to form a government so, in theory, you don't need a general election because you ought to have a stable government. the problem is, if they

can't actually form stable governments, you know, we have anotherfailed governments, you know, we have another failed government. governments, you know, we have anotherfailed government. they another failed government. they can't anotherfailed government. they can't manage to control the political party and get legislation through then the pressure increases and constitutionally, whether there is a confidence vote or not, the correct sort of income is for a general election because you have to be able to form stable governments. that is the entire purpose of general elections, to form a majority so we can have stable government.— majority so we can have stable government. ., i, , government. even though we have 'ust had what has — government. even though we have 'ust had what has unfolded i government. even though we have 'ust had what has unfolded over i government. even though we have 'ust had what has unfolded over the i government. even though we have just had what has unfolded over the past i had what has unfolded over the past few weeks during liz's premiership, because, in theory, as you say, the party commands a majority, that is why we are not having election but presumably that scenario could be allowed to unfold on the a certain amount of times. if this happened all over again, we would be a general election territory? and all over again, we would be a general election territory? and that is the bit? that — general election territory? and that is the bit? that the _ general election territory? and that is the bit? that the conservative i is the bit? that the conservative party have to solve in the next few weeks because it is all very well saying we want anyone but liz truss now having got rid of borisjohnson before that, but they not only have to find somebody who is acceptable to find somebody who is acceptable to them and it is most important it is acceptable to the political parliamentary party so they may want to bring the membership into it but if they don't have the confidence of the parliamentary party you can command confidence, you cannot form stable governments, you know, you have to get out of the way and call a general election. that is how the constitution works, there is the

principles behind it so it very tricky without a formal vote. the site last night. the question would be asked about having a general election but because it wasn't, or because they managed to get through it we are now in this situation today. it we are now in this situation toda . ., ., “ it we are now in this situation toda . ., ., ,, ~ , it we are now in this situation toda . ., ., ~ , , today. how do you think the party is actually going _ today. how do you think the party is actually going to _ today. how do you think the party is actually going to do _ today. how do you think the party is actually going to do this _ today. how do you think the party is actually going to do this in - today. how do you think the party is actually going to do this in the - actually going to do this in the space of a week compared to the election campaign that we sell run through the summer, all those hustings, the best part of a couple of months? the hustings, the best part of a couple of months?— hustings, the best part of a couple of months? ., , , , i, of months? the leadership rules that we have got — of months? the leadership rules that we have got in _ of months? the leadership rules that we have got in place _ of months? the leadership rules that we have got in place now _ of months? the leadership rules that we have got in place now are - we have got in place now are entirely because, back in the day, 1963 and before, it would be, you know, the men in grey suits but would usually be men getting round together to decide who should be the next leader and probably similar will happen at the moment. i do think we heard from graham brady at the moment about the threshold about being able to get onto the ballot paperso being able to get onto the ballot paper so only if you've got the support of 50 may be more mp5 can even get onto it. that would stop too many rounds going through and it

could be that, actually, enough mps talk to each other, decide not to campaign but actually it coalesces around one candidate which is what happened in 2003 with michael howard. that is the best chance of avoiding the membership getting involved and therefore rallying around a unity candidate but there won't be a lot of people watching who have confidence they can do that. , i, i, who have confidence they can do that. i, �* i, , who have confidence they can do that. ., �* i, , ., who have confidence they can do that. ., .,, . that. graham brady cannot predict that. graham brady cannot predict that is going _ that. graham brady cannot predict that is going to — that. graham brady cannot predict that is going to be _ that. graham brady cannot predict that is going to be what _ that. graham brady cannot predict that is going to be what will- that. graham brady cannot predict. that is going to be what will happen and therefore the membership might be involved. just to repeat the point, it bears repetition, doesn't it? clearly, we have seen with truss that the pm of the day has to command the respect, the support of a majority of the parliamentary party above all else in order to actually get on with the business of the day. so do you think that this might be weighted in some ways so that the parliamentary party's boats carry a greater weight than those of the wider party membership? that is one wa of

the wider party membership? that is one way of doing _ the wider party membership? that is one way of doing it. _ the wider party membership? that is one way of doing it. they _ the wider party membership? that is one way of doing it. they talked - one way of doing it. they talked about consulting them. i honestly don't know what they have in mind. i think perhaps brady has not worked out what the details will be. we have not been in the sort of situation before, have we? exactly, the 're situation before, have we? exactly, they're trying _ situation before, have we? exactly, they're trying to _ situation before, have we? exactly, they're trying to give _ situation before, have we? exactly, they're trying to give it _ situation before, have we? exactly, they're trying to give it a _ they're trying to give it a semblance of democracy but at the same time the train to find a quick workaround that allows them to solve this in what, you know, the grey suits, as say, think is the most sensible fashion but it is hard to do when you've got a party that is so split into different factions and there are so much blood in the water of people who are annoyed with other people and don't want them to be the leader of their party so it is a real challenge for them as a political party and a general election is something that needs to be sitting there as a threat if they cannot resolve this because we do need stable government.- cannot resolve this because we do need stable government. thank you very much- — need stable government. thank you very much- yes. _ need stable government. thank you very much. yes, really _ need stable government. thank you very much. yes, really new- need stable government. thank you very much. yes, really new territoryj very much. yes, really new territory for everyone in terms of the process

unfolding over the next week. just by next friday, we are told that we are going to have a new prime minister sojust that are going to have a new prime minister so just that short period of time to elect a new leader. an election that happens, as we were just discussing, purely within the conservative party. for the moment, back to you, ben. that is absolutely vital to by next friday, october 28, thatis vital to by next friday, october 28, that is what so graham brady has said, the chair of the 1922 committee. we shall awaiting more details, except the how that tory leadership race is going to work. using the expectation is that the party members will be involved in the process. that is assuming there are two contenders at the end of that process and if there is only one contender it would not have to go to the wider party membership. but, anyway, the expectation is, the tory party will have a new leader by

october 28 and that is significant because it is just ahead of the government's fiscal statements which is going to be on october 31, on halloween. let's talk a bit about the markets, actually, the financial market, with a business correspondent. and how they have been responding to this extraordinary day of politics. of course, the markets have been instrumental in a and the demise of liz truss. l began with their reaction to the controversial mini budget of last month.— budget of last month. there is a delicious irony _ budget of last month. there is a delicious irony here, _ budget of last month. there is a delicious irony here, really, - budget of last month. there is a delicious irony here, really, the | delicious irony here, really, the markets which triggered this acute bout of political turmoil, this political crisis, have taken the departure of liz truss pretty much in their stride. we did see a spike in their stride. we did see a spike in their stride. we did see a spike in the value of the pound just before her announcement was made. it went above $1.13 and the government's cost of borrowing has come down a bit. a relatively muted reaction and i think there is a very good reason for that which is, whoever comes into power as

successor to liz truss will be hamstrung. they will not be able to come in with a kind of almost revolutionary policies that she came in with. she came in the first thing she did was announce sweeping energy subsidy programme, that had an open—ended cost. it was extremely expensive and it was open—ended for two years. then, of the back of that, she introduced the mini budget are a chancellor introduced the mini budget which included some £1i5 billion worth of unfunded tax cuts. now we have that u—turns on both of those. the energy subsidies will still be in place because, frankly, they are needed. but they will only continue until april and then there will be a review. most of the tax arrangements, as we know, have been overturned so the things that really upset international investors to begin with have kinda been dealt with through those u—turns on those unlikely to be a u—turn on the u—turns. we won't see a prime

minster coming in promising sweeping tax cuts. that is simply not going to happen. the question is what happens now in the fiscal statement on the 31st of october and the new prime minister will be coming in in just three days before that statement is made and we also know from what people within westminster been telling us over the past week, that there are still disagreements within the conservative party over just what should happen in that statement. by the cuts will fall, for example, there will need to be spending cuts. it is interesting to know that the cbi, the business lobby has come out and said stability is key. the next by ministering to activist or confidence from day one. they will need to deliver a credible fiscal plan for the medium term as soon as possible. it is that word credible which others have been repeating as well for whoever the new prime minster is, when they come in, they will have to deliver a set of policies that work for investors, that work for the markets, and also as well. i, ~ that work for the markets, and also as well. ., ,, , ., that work for the markets, and also as well. i, ~' , ., , that work for the markets, and also as well. ., ,, ,, , . that work for the markets, and also as well. ., «e ,, , . as well. thank you very much in deed. as well. thank you very much in deed- let's _ as well. thank you very much in deed. let's gauge _ as well. thank you very much in deed. let's gauge political- as well. thank you very much in i deed. let's gauge political reaction from around the united kingdom. we will talk to a correspondent who is

in cardiff and corresponded in belfast. let's go first to glasgow. james, we have had a pretty ferocious reaction to liz truss's resignation statement from the first minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon. minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon-— minister of scotland, nicola sturteon. ., , ., sturgeon. that is vital that she said there _ sturgeon. that is vital that she said there are _ sturgeon. that is vital that she said there are no _ sturgeon. that is vital that she said there are no words, - sturgeon. that is vital that she said there are no words, ben, | sturgeon. that is vital that she i said there are no words, ben, to describe this utter shambles adequately. it is beyond hyperbole and parody. the reality is ordinary people are paying the price. the interest of the tory party should concern no one right now. a general election is now a democratic imperative. they've also been responses from the other political parties as douglas rossi was the leader of the tories in scotland says we must now move forward quickly and the new leader and prime minister will have two the store stability foot at the lido scottish labour said we need a general election now. the scottish level democrats have said the conservatives are not fit for government, also calling for a

general election and the joint leader of the scottish greens, never in the field of british politics was so much harm done to so many and so few weeks. misquoting winston churchill of the versioning that famous quote from winston churchill about the battle of britain, to characterise his view of what liz truss's administration has done in the last six weeks or so. i think the last six weeks or so. i think the general consensus outside the conservative party in scotland, that consensus is for as soon as possible but it is unlikely that colour is going to be answered anytime soon. thank you much indeed. i want to bring viewers some news. the times newspaper is reporting that boris johnson is expected to stand in the tory leadership contest. this is from the times political editor

saying, i'm told that borisjohnson is expected to stand in the tory leadership contest. he is taking soundings but is said to believe it is a matter of national interest. and if that were true, that would be extraordinary. having been forced out of downing streetjust a few months ago after that whole slew of resignations that began with rishi sunak leaving office and then boris johnson after many, many of his ministers resigned, been forced himself to resign and then of course that then pave the way for that leadership contest that we saw over the summer between efficiency and i can liz truss liz truss one and now this truss herself is out of downing street. she served tilt days and she will stay on until there is a new

tory party leader which is expected to be by october 28. but boris johnson, according to the times, is expected to stand in the tory leadership contest. we will be getting reaction to that from the tory party and many other people as well and trying to find out from borisjohnson himself if well and trying to find out from boris johnson himself if that well and trying to find out from borisjohnson himself if that is true. now, let's go back to the reaction right around the united kingdom. we were hearing there from james in glasgow. let's go to cardiff. with hearing from the first minister, haven't we? yes. cardiff. with hearing from the first minister, haven't we?— minister, haven't we? yes, and a re minister, haven't we? yes, and a pretty scathing — minister, haven't we? yes, and a pretty scathing response - minister, haven't we? yes, and a pretty scathing response from . minister, haven't we? yes, and a| pretty scathing response from the first minister. not a surprise may be when you remember he is the leader of the welsh labour party but certainly not someone with any sympathy for liz truss. in a statement he says there been a complete and utter failure of government with everyone in the country paying the price. the complete lack of leadership is

preventing decisions and action being taken. you have to remember that, in mt days as prime minister, liz truss did not even speak to mark drake for it. normally the prime minster would speak to press ministers, something we so on and off with borisjohnson during the pandemic but we know that there was not even a phone call between the tucson mark drake front may now have to prepare himself speaking to new prime minister but who will that be? wear it to be borisjohnson to stand i think some welsh conservatives may like that because borisjohnson helped to win a record equalling number of seats in wales, ili tory seats. the polls suggested most of the loo seats. the polls suggested most of the [00 would be wiped off the map in wales so tory members here in wales and senate members may back that boris bed if it is confirmed. in terms of the other countries, join because of a general election. with making the case at the

westminster chaos, as they call it, is an argument for welsh independence. the liberal democrats here condemning the actions of liz truss's dying government so very little sympathy, it seems, here, for liz truss after she has announced her resignation.— her resignation. thank you very much. her resignation. thank you very much- let's _ her resignation. thank you very much. let's go _ her resignation. thank you very much. let's go to _ her resignation. thank you very much. let's go to belfast. - her resignation. thank you very l much. let's go to belfast. chris, reaction there to the drama that we have seen unfolding in downing street today. have seen unfolding in downing street today-— street today. yes, there is no a whole new _ street today. yes, there is no a whole new level _ street today. yes, there is no a whole new level of _ street today. yes, there is no a whole new level of uncertainty, j street today. yes, there is no a i whole new level of uncertainty, as if any— whole new level of uncertainty, as if any were — whole new level of uncertainty, as if any were needed here in northern ireland _ if any were needed here in northern ireland it _ if any were needed here in northern ireland. it has been said in recent days— ireland. it has been said in recent days that — ireland. it has been said in recent days that westminster had ceased to have a _ days that westminster had ceased to have a functioning government. northern— have a functioning government. northern ireland has been without a fully functioning devolved government since february. that was when _ government since february. that was when the _ government since february. that was when the democratic unionist party, in effect, _ when the democratic unionist party, in effect, collapse the power sharing — in effect, collapse the power sharing stormont executive over its opposition— sharing stormont executive over its opposition to the bag is a trade border— opposition to the bag is a trade

border with the rest of the uk known as ireland _ border with the rest of the uk known as ireland protocol foot of the gop said it _ as ireland protocol foot of the gop said it will— as ireland protocol foot of the gop said it will not allow power—sharing to resume — said it will not allow power—sharing to resume unless checksum goods are scrapped _ to resume unless checksum goods are scrapped so— to resume unless checksum goods are scrapped. so graham brady mentioned the next _ scrapped. so graham brady mentioned the next friday, 28th of october is the next friday, 28th of october is the day— the next friday, 28th of october is the day when the tory leadership contest _ the day when the tory leadership contest should be concluded. that is a day— contest should be concluded. that is a day marked in the diary in this part— a day marked in the diary in this part of— a day marked in the diary in this part of the — a day marked in the diary in this part of the uk. that is because it is on _ part of the uk. that is because it is on that— part of the uk. that is because it is on that day, next friday, that the legal— is on that day, next friday, that the legal deadline to restore the devolved government, after the election— devolved government, after the election in may, runs out. the current— election in may, runs out. the current northern ireland secretary has made — current northern ireland secretary has made clear reallyjust on the last couple of days that he will go ahead _ last couple of days that he will go ahead and — last couple of days that he will go ahead and call a new election to the stormont _ ahead and call a new election to the stormont assembly if there is no political — stormont assembly if there is no political breakthrough. the party crb in _ political breakthrough. the party crb in preparing to go back to the polls cm— crb in preparing to go back to the polls on the 15th of september so now tots — polls on the 15th of september so now lots of questions about that. if it does— now lots of questions about that. if it does take until next friday for the new— it does take until next friday for the new premise to be in place,

well, _ the new premise to be in place, well, you — the new premise to be in place, well, you think that would mean there _ well, you think that would mean there is— well, you think that would mean there is no— well, you think that would mean there is no time for the westminster government to change course and calling _ government to change course and calling an — government to change course and calling an election if indeed they had the — calling an election if indeed they had the legal means to do so. if it was concluded a little bit earlier, -et was concluded a little bit earlier, get a _ was concluded a little bit earlier, get a new— was concluded a little bit earlier, get a new northern ireland secretary of the _ get a new northern ireland secretary of the different ideas who could find some sort of legal mechanism for delaying that assembly election? so far— for delaying that assembly election? so far we _ for delaying that assembly election? so far we have had a crossed military— so far we have had a crossed military alliance party and the nationalist sdlp calling for a general— nationalist sdlp calling for a general election, never mind an assemhty— general election, never mind an assembly election. also i have just heard _ assembly election. also i have just heard from — assembly election. also i have just heard from the woman is in line to be heard from the woman is in line to he first _ heard from the woman is in line to be first minister at stormont of power—sharing is introduced, she said the — power—sharing is introduced, she said the chaos and disastrous policies — said the chaos and disastrous policies of the tories have heaped misery— policies of the tories have heaped misery on — policies of the tories have heaped misery on to workers, families and businesses — misery on to workers, families and businesses. there is trustjoins misery on to workers, families and businesses. there is trust joins a

long _ businesses. there is trust joins a long line — businesses. there is trust joins a long line of— businesses. there is trust joins a long line of british prime associate failed _ long line of british prime associate failed people here and she said all parties _ failed people here and she said all parties need to work together and support— parties need to work together and support the people in a new stormont executive _ support the people in a new stormont executive. that is for the dpp, they have been— executive. that is for the dpp, they have been fans of liz truss during the tory— have been fans of liz truss during the tory leadership contest, taking she would — the tory leadership contest, taking she would take a firmer line brussels _ she would take a firmer line brussels in the negotiations over the northern ireland protocol. but now they— the northern ireland protocol. but now they will be attacked by other parties _ now they will be attacked by other parties for— now they will be attacked by other parties for having supported liz truss. — parties for having supported liz truss. in— parties for having supported liz truss, in essence, up to this point. thank— truss, in essence, up to this point. thank you — truss, in essence, up to this point. thank you very much. we can go to glasgow tojoin so thank you very much. we can go to glasgow to join so sirjohn curtis, a well—known expert on british history and all things political. your starter for ten, history and all things political. yourstarterforten, does history and all things political. your starterfor ten, does this make liz truss the shortest serving british prime minister in history? not quite. the previous one died in office. forsomebody not quite. the previous one died in office. for somebody who is still alive this is the shortest one in

term. its. alive this is the shortest one in term. �* ., ., alive this is the shortest one in term. �* , , alive this is the shortest one in term. , , , ., ., term. a good pub quiz question and at least i now _ term. a good pub quiz question and at least i now know _ term. a good pub quiz question and at least i now know the _ term. a good pub quiz question and at least i now know the answer. i term. a good pub quiz question and i at least i now know the answer. what you make, first of all, about what happens next in terms of this toy leadership contest? is it likely to 90, leadership contest? is it likely to go, do you think, to the wider membership? can it be done within a few days, within a week? this membership? can it be done within a few days, within a week?— few days, within a week? this is robabl few days, within a week? this is probably a _ few days, within a week? this is probably a technological - few days, within a week? this is| probably a technological question which is beyond me, as it were. if mps can whittle the number of candidates, one of the conservative parties has an effective online ballot within a couple of days. that is probably the question that some of the party officials is trying to work out but that is pretty much the only way of doing it and that the question, there may be some conservative members who don't necessarily have access to the internet, it is a relatively older section of the population. so far as

the candidates are concerned, you've already talked about boris johnson trying to stand. i think we should remember, at this point, that mr johnson still has hanging over him the inquiry by the committee on standards as to whether or not he misled the house of commons with regard to his statements about partygate and i would have thought, but may be able be wrong, that's tory mps might be with very wary aboutjumping back into having mr johnson in office and then finding themselves embroiled in exactly the same arguments about his probity from which they thought they had escaped when he was brought down at the beginning ofjuly. if we do reckon that mrjohnson is not going to be a credible runner, that i think it is going to be between rishi sunak and penny mordaunt, and my guesses, given how she performed first that suella braverman will fall out. and the question is, can visually see nak win against penny mordaunt? penny mordaunt will be formidable competition because she is, as others have pointed out,

somebody who appeals to the scent of the party who might otherwise be backing visually see nak and perhaps also be an the one liz truss supporters might be willing to switch to. and they will be wanting to remind tory mps that he did warn them that this was exactly what would happen and he's hoping that having made it clear in the last leadership contest that he might now be rewarded for what he said at least the second time around. {bitten least the second time around. given the chaos in — least the second time around. given the chaos in the _ least the second time around. given the chaos in the meltdown - least the second time around. given the chaos in the meltdown that we have seen in the last few months and weeks and days, how much damage do you think all of this has done to the conservative party? i think the advice has to be to whoever it does become the next leader is probably

to enjoy the next 18 months to two years because that is probably the length of your tenure. and it is, by the way, going to be pretty difficult because you going to be leading a fractious party which is not going to make your life very easy. that is going to be to whoever gets it. the truth is, parties and governments who have presided over a fiscal crisis have nearly always struggled at the ballot box in subsequent elections, the labour party after 191i8, the labour party of 1967, the labour party after 76, the conservatives have the bug when 79090 gender and the labour party after the financial crash of 2008. all of governments did not remain in office for long after and at the thatis office for long after and at the that is going to be the fate of this government that many individual tory mps will be hoping that the party at these recovers from being as much as 30 points behind in the polls which

is where they are at at the moment. if that were to be the result of a general election the majority of tory mps should be out on their ear. just a quick question. kier starmer and others have been saying there has to be a general election and there is a question about the democratic legitimacy of the new tory leader, the new prime minister, as we move further forward away from the last general election. it is riaht the last general election. it is right that _ the last general election. it is right that this _ the last general election. it is right that this is _ the last general election. it is right that this is the - the last general election. it 3 right that this is the first time since the parliament of 1935—45 which was extended because of the second world war where we have had more than one change in prime minister within the parliament and before that you have to go back to the middle of the 19th century. certainly, this is a novel experience but, in the end, we do have parliamentary democracy and so long as someone can maintain the

confidence of the house of commons then they will be able to avoid a general election. the other big question facing the conservative party is, will it be possible for whoever succeeds liz truss to be able to maintain the house of commons with the divisions inside the conservative party be so great that we eventually discover there is no one in which case we might be precipitated into an early general election. that has to be at the back of tory mps mind as they try to work out who they are going to back and under what conditions.— out who they are going to back and under what conditions. thank you as ever for your — under what conditions. thank you as ever for your unique _ under what conditions. thank you as ever for your unique political - ever for your unique political analysis. good to talk to you. thank you very much indeed. the time is to be pm and welcome to viewers in the uk and around the world foot of the british by minister liz truss has resigned. a very short statement in downing street, she admitted she could no longer deliver the mandate elected on in the last month. her decision followed a meeting with the senior conservative backbench mp sir graham brady amid an atmosphere of exasperation among fellow conservative mps. exasperation among fellow conservative mp5. the conservatives

will hold a leadership election to replace liz truss within the next week, producing what will be the third british prime minister since the summer. the labour party has called for an immediate general election. liz truss's tilt days in office so far have been marked by some of the most dramatic scenes in post—war british politics and she does become the uk's serving prime minister although, john curtis was just telling us, another did die in office. i came into office at a time of great economic and international instability. families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills. putin's illegal war in ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent and our country has been held back for too long by low economic growth. i was elected by the conservative party with a mandate to change this. we delivered on energy bills and on cutting national insurance.

and we set out our vision for a low tax, high growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of brexit. i recognise, though, given the situation i cannot deliver the mandate on which i was elected by the conservative party. i have therefore spoken to his majesty the king to notify him that i am resigning as leader of the conservative party. this morning i met the chairman of the 1922 committee, sir graham brady. we have agreed there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week. this will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country's economic stability and national security. i will remain as prime minister until a successor has been chosen. thank you.

liz truss with that very dramatic resignation statement just liz truss with that very dramatic resignation statementjust outside number 10 downing street. ijust want to correct myself, in terms of who has been the shortest serving british prime minister. it is liz truss, we are now told, because although we were hearing from sir john curtice that it was george canning who died in april 1827, he had served 118 days as prime minister and liz truss, well, tilt days so far and by the time she is replaced by the new tory leader once he or she is elected, it will probably be something like 50 days. anyway, let's hear now from sir graham brady, the chair of the 1922 committee, who says he expects leadership result by friday of next week. he's been taking questions. do you accept that this is a complete dog's dinner? it's certainly not a circumstance

i would wish to see. sir graham, will you have to make the threshold for nominations really high in order to flush out candidates? you just can't waste time on this now, can you? i think these are details that will be clear later on. i haven't got any more detail to share with you now but there will be some clarity... how disappointed are you, just one more question, i how disappointed are you in this? this is the fourth... _ third prime minister in four months. the public must be looking at this and thinking, - what on earth is going on? this is the governing party... absolutely, and i think we are deeply conscious of the imperative in the national interest of resolving this clearly and quickly. should there notjust be a general election, sir graham? how can you continue...? clearly that isn't the matter. will there definitely be two candidates moving forward to membership? the party will say there will be two candidates unless there's only one candidate. so if somebody drops out, it could only be one? if there's only one candidate, there is only one candidate. that is...

i really can't give you more detail. whose idea was it to have this. contest truncated to one week? was it liz truss's idea i or was it your proposal? i think it's a matter on which there is a pretty broad consensus. thank you. that was sir graham brady, and he was saying that there will be a new tory leader, he expects, by october 28, just before the chancellor, and we don't know whether that will still bejeremy hunt, delivers the government's fiscal statement on october 31. government's fiscal statement on october31. so government's fiscal statement on october 31. so sir graham government's fiscal statement on october31. so sir graham brady expects there to be a new conservative leader and a new prime minister by october the 28, but as we were hearing there, he isn't sure whether it will be two candidates, whether it will be two candidates, whether it will be two candidates, whether it mightjust end up being candidate. one if it is two candidates, it's likely to go back to the wider tory party, and how quickly that can be organised,

technically in terms of some sort of online voting, we will have to wait and see. in the meantime we've also been getting reaction from the labour party leader sir keir starmer, who demanded an immediate general election and he's been giving his reaction to the news from downing street that liz truss is resigning as tory party leader. well, what a mess. and this is notjust a soap opera at the top of the tory party. it's doing huge damage to our economy and to the reputation of our country. and the public are paying with higher prices, with higher mortgages. so we can't have a revolving door of chaos. we can't have another experiment at the top of the tory party. there is an alternative and that's a stable labour government and the public are entitled to have their say and that's why there should be a general election. some sympathy for liz truss, her time in office, pretty humiliating. the damage that has been inflicted on the public through higher prices and mortgages is considerable. this is not a soap opera. these are real lives that are being impacted by the mess at the top

of the tory party. we've had this revolving door. we've had these experiments at the top of the tory party. the public are entitled to choose between this utter chaos and a labour party which will stabilise the economy and have got a clear plan for growth, for living standards and forjobs of the future. we need a general election so the public can make their mind up about this utter chaos. isn't there an argument that a general election might actually prolong the instability to an outcome of that general election? do we need more instability now orjust a chance for a clean slate and just to stabilise the ship? the risk at the moment is continuing with this chaos, not having a stable labour government. so that's why there should be a general election. we can'tjust allow the tory party to keep putting up the next candidate in the middle of this chaos. there is a choice. there's a labour party that's capable of stabilising. the economy, has a clear plan and the public

are entitled to choose between that stable labour government and this utter chaos of the conservatives. are you ready for government? this is not the context you would have wanted to take over. we are ready to form a government, to stabilise the economy and implement a real plan for growth, for living standards to help people through a cost of living crisis. and that's the choice now. a stable labour government or this utter chaos from the conservatives? that was the labour leader sir keir starmer. our chief political correspondent nick eardley is in downing street. he was there as the prime minister came up with what will go down in history as one of the most extraordinary resignation statement is of a british prime minister. and of course, all eyes now on who might succeed her, and intriguing reports that borisjohnson could be throwing his hat into the ring, we hearing that from the times, not confirmed it all the moment. hat

that from the times, not confirmed it all the moment.— that from the times, not confirmed it all the moment. not confirmed by us 'ust it all the moment. not confirmed by usiust yet. — it all the moment. not confirmed by us just yet. we _ it all the moment. not confirmed by usjust yet, we have _ it all the moment. not confirmed by usjust yet, we have asked - it all the moment. not confirmed by usjust yet, we have asked some i it all the moment. not confirmed by usjust yet, we have asked some of| us just yet, we have asked some of boris johnson's us just yet, we have asked some of borisjohnson's allies. i'm told he is being encouraged by a number of mps to do so. one of his key allies, who was his pps, one of his key aides in downing street, basically the person who helped borisjohnson negotiate with parliament, he has said that borisjohnson should come back for the good of the country. will it happen? quite possibly, i think there is one potential stumbling block, which is mps, i'm not sure a lot of mps would be stumbling block, which is mps, i'm not sure a lot of mps would he wants to be seen going back old leader, evenif to be seen going back old leader, even if borisjohnson did come back from his holiday in the caribbean and stand for a leader, i think it would be tricky for him to persuade enough mps that he was the right man. i've spoken to some of the

people who were his allies in downing streetjust before he stood down, as well, and some of them have said they're all that sure that politically, he can recoverfrom some of the scandals over the last few months. but i said it an hour ago, and i will say it again, nothing surprises me around here any more. so who knows? allies of rishi sunak are gearing up for him to stand, we not heard from the former chancellor yet either, but i would suggest there is a fairly decent chance of him standing given that he came second to liz truss, came quite close to liz truss, actually, in that leadership contest. and we have all of these other names doing the rounds already. let me name a few. ben wallace, the defence secretary, kemi badenoch, who stood last time, penny morden, who stood last time, the one person who is not going to stand asjeremy hunt, the chancellor. a lot on his plate, he has to come up with a fiscal plan, for the 31st of october, a proper budget to try to fill the fiscal

black hole. it stand back a bit, what a crisis. this is a genuine political crisis of unprecedented scale. in the country is facing a massive economic challenge, the prime minister has been in forfive weeks and decided she is not up to thejob, and can't deliver what weeks and decided she is not up to the job, and can't deliver what she promised. we are going to get a new prime minister within a week. they will have three or four days to negotiate with the chancellor ahead of that budget and will have to try to get the economy back on track, and then restore some political stability to the highest office in the land. it's an extraordinary, extraordinary moment. it certainly is. and i extraordinary moment. it certainly is- and i was _ extraordinary moment. it certainly is. and i was talking _ extraordinary moment. it certainly is. and i was talking to _ extraordinary moment. it certainly is. and i was talking to sir - extraordinary moment. it certainly is. and i was talking to sirjohn i is. and i was talking to sirjohn curtice about how much damaged all of this has done to the conservative party electorally, whenever there is an election, and of course sir keir starmer once one right now, it doesn't seem likely he will get it. but whoever is the leader of the

tory party has a huge challenge economically but also politically to try to win back the trust of the british people.— try to win back the trust of the british people. totally. and the calls for a _ british people. totally. and the calls for a general— british people. totally. and the calls for a general election i british people. totally. and the calls for a general election will| calls for a general election will get louder and louder and louder. excuse me looking at my phone, but this is moving very quickly. a couple of things. ijust had a text from a friend of borisjohnson saying they doubt he will stand but they reckon they love the speculation. our political editor chris mason is saying that those close to brandon lewis are urging him to stand, he is now thejustice secretary, he was the northern ireland secretary, now thejustice secretary, has been forfive ireland secretary, now thejustice secretary, has been for five weeks, since liz truss took over. so what's really intriguing is at the moment, we hinted at this earlier, at the moment it feels like a bit of a free for all. we have mps saying, maybe this person, may be that person. a lot of people seem to be taking soundings, figuring out if

to stand. at the moment it looks like it could be a large field. however, watch what happens this evening. if we get any more details on the rules from sir graham brady, my sense is that mps will want to get this done as quickly as possible. i reckon they will want to make the decision themselves, that we will wait and see if they make that call. and that could mean this moves quite quickly. on the threshold is to get through various rounds are actually quite high make sure there is a new prime minister in place by this time next week. {3t in place by this time next week. of course, look at your phone at any time you want, i will not take it as an insult at all! of course you've got to do is to keep up with as you get messages from important political sources. get messages from important politicalsources. but get messages from important political sources. butjust on the terms of the rules, then, that's going to be crucial, isn't it, that threshold? not to be rude to potential contenders but they will want to weed out fringe candidates who will not attract much support in order to keep this contest as short as possible, just a few days. i

think that is absolutely right. there is absolutely no doubt that that's the case. mps in the conservative party that i've been chatting to over the last few days are mortified, some of them, by what is going on at the moment. they feel humiliated by the turmoil in the party will stop and to be honest, some of them have given up. they don't think there will be a recovery. but those who are still fighting are determined to get this done as soon as possible. the calculation that was being made this morning, before graham brady turned up morning, before graham brady turned up here and had that conversation that led to liz truss's resignation, the conversations i was having with conservative mps were weighing up the question of whether it would avoid chaos to get liz truss out or create more chaos. and they hope i think most conservatives come all conservative mps will have now is that if they move swiftly and get someone else into new place and have a new prime minister within the next few days and don't allow this to

become a free for all with loads of candidates, they might be able to get someone who can work on their credibility and that stability and authority right away. i still think it's going to be extremely challenging. the turmoil in here is going to be really hard to recover from, it's going to be very hard from, it's going to be very hard from the new prime minister, whoever they may be, to wipe the slate clean in a few weeks' time, not least because they will be dealing with the economic decisions that have been made in here over the past five weeks in the liz truss premiership. however, this is something that's been actively discussed among conservative mps this afternoon. remember, we keep talking about them because they are going to make the big decisions over the next few days. they may well decide over the next few weeks who lives in here. i will leave you for a moment, you can check your phone or you like, go and find out whatever you can and come back to us very soon with more important information. let's also go

back now to my colleague in westminster, anni. thank you very much for so with me as the leader of the liberal democrats, ed davey. we spoke a couple of weeks ago when there was speculation that liz truss could survive as pm potential until the end of october when the chancellor would deliver more detail on the government's fiscal plans but she is gone. your reaction to that news and the fact that we will have a new conservative party leader, a new prime minister, by next friday? liz truss prime minister, by next friday? l2 truss trashed prime minister, by next friday? lz truss trashed the british economy with her unfunded tax cuts. of her borisjohnson with her unfunded tax cuts. of her boris johnson filled our country with his dishonesty and lawbreaking. the tories have shown they are incapable of providing the leadership, they are not fit to govern our country. we don't need another conservative prime minister. they need to go. we need another general election and conservative mps have got to do their patriotic duty and vote for that. tet mps have got to do their patriotic duty and vote for that.— mps have got to do their patriotic duty and vote for that. yet there is no mechanism. — duty and vote for that. yet there is

no mechanism, is— duty and vote for that. yet there is no mechanism, is there, _ duty and vote for that. yet there is no mechanism, is there, to - duty and vote for that. yet there is no mechanism, is there, to lead i duty and vote for that. yet there is j no mechanism, is there, to lead to duty and vote for that. yet there is l no mechanism, is there, to lead to a general election at this point? so what is the strategy for the lib dems? ~ ., , ., e , ., ., dems? we: conservative mps to do their patriotic _ dems? we: conservative mps to do their patriotic duty. _ dems? we: conservative mps to do their patriotic duty. if _ dems? we: conservative mps to do their patriotic duty. if they - dems? we: conservative mps to do their patriotic duty. if they fail i their patriotic duty. if they fail to do that i think their constituents will not. i think there is a big movement in the country for a general election and the liberal democrats want to put forward our positive agenda. we called over a year ago for a windfall tax on the oil and gas company so we could fund responsibly help for people with their energy bills, and if they had followed that policy, we would not be in this mess now, mortgage rates would not be as high as they are now. liberal democrats want the chance to put our positive policies to the british people, and we want these conservatives out of government.— these conservatives out of government. ~ . , ., ., government. what is your reaction to that speculation _ government. what is your reaction to that speculation in _ government. what is your reaction to that speculation in the _ government. what is your reaction to that speculation in the times - government. what is your reaction to that speculation in the times that i that speculation in the times that boris is taking soundings about whether he should throw his hat in the ring? latte whether he should throw his hat in the rim? .,�* ., ., , the ring? we don't want any conservative _ the ring? we don't want any conservative prime - the ring? we don't want any| conservative prime minister, the ring? we don't want any i conservative prime minister, we the ring? we don't want any - conservative prime minister, we want an election, and borisjohnson, i can't believe he's even going to put himself forward. there is still an

inquiry into whether he misled parliament, and the whole british people knows he was dishonest, did not follow his own rules, broke the law. it would be quite outrageous if conservative mps allowed him back. on who else might stand, we are hearing from the telegraph, its reporting that rishi sunak is certain to stand for the leadership, according to close allies on the senior mp allies of the former chancellor. you know, a bit of a sliding door is rational, isn't there? he say, i told you so, this is what would happen if liz truss was elected and try to implement these economic policies. we are trying to confirm this with rishi sunak but the telegraph is reporting he is certain to stand. he will say to mp5, you should have listened to me, we would not be in this position. so how strong is his chance of becoming the next leader, do you think? his chance of becoming the next leader, do you think?—

do you think? his record is poor, as is only conservatives, _ do you think? his record is poor, as is only conservatives, they - do you think? his record is poor, as is only conservatives, they are i do you think? his record is poor, as is only conservatives, they are the l is only conservatives, they are the ones who caused this mess. rishi sunak�*s record is disastrous, he failed to tackle energy bills and inflation, and did not produce growth. wherever you look amongst the conservative party, they are not helping people who are struggling with their mortgage bills... he wasn't going for the tax—cutting pulses liz truss was, was he? he wasn't pulses liz truss was, was he? he: wasn't helping people with their energy bills and frankly, it's such a divided party, many people really dislike rishi sunak because of what he did to borisjohnson, they are fighting each other. our country needs stability. we need a political party and the government that can give strong leadership. the political instability, the divided party which is the conservative party isn't fit to govern our country. they have to go. and just moving the deck chairs on the titanic with one failed conservative mp after another isn't what our

country needs. we are in a real mess. there's a huge challenge, millions of people are struggling, struggling families, struggling pensioners. they need help and with political instability and divided conservative party, they will not get it from this lot. you conservative party, they will not get it from this lot.— get it from this lot. you are a olitical get it from this lot. you are a political leader. _ get it from this lot. you are a political leader. when - get it from this lot. you are a political leader. when you i get it from this lot. you are a i political leader. when you look at the polls in which the conservatives have been performing so badly, you must be chomping at the bit for a general election. it doesn't look like that will happen. keir starmer is also calling for a general election, clearly, and the snp and other political parties. what do you do in the meantime to try to keep the faith with those who have already voted for you, to reach out to potential new voters and to try to potential new voters and to try to take this situation and say, look, vote differently next time? don't hang a general election to get rid of the conservate is called will continue to put forward our constructive policies. —— beyond calling for a general election. we propose the winds tax to raise that

figure windfall tax to raise money in a responsible way to help people. liberal democrats bet on the idea of giving people support for energy bills, we were the first people to argue for the freeze the cap on the energy prices and other people followed our lead. we will continue to come up with the policies that our country needs, whether it's on the economy today was a past of living crisis or the nhs and social care, where there is a crisis with public services on their knees. we are determined to listen to our constituents, we've got great representation and to build on successes over the last 12 months where we have beat the conservatives in three by—elections in their heartland and in the local elections last month might come across the whole uk, liberal democrats did better than any political party. —— lasst may. we are ready to attract support to us because we have those sensible policies.— sensible policies. thank you for our sensible policies. thank you for your time- _ your time. just to recap on that news that the

telegraph is reporting that rishi sunak is certain to stand, is the quote, according to the telegraph, who have been speaking to senior mp allies of the former chancellor. we believe he is in his constituency in north yorkshire. he has been keeping a pretty low profile in recent days and weeks, hasn't he? but during that election campaign, when it got down to him and liz truss is the final two candidates to be the next part leader and prime minister, final two candidates to be the next part leaderand prime minister, he said that if liz truss was elected and are permitted to economic policies, he pretty much predicted what happened in terms of market reaction to her tax—cutting plans. rishi sunak certain stand, according to the telegraph, we at the bbc are trying to confirm that. but with me right now with her reaction is carla denyer, the co—leader of the green

party, thank you forjoining us. and first of all, your reaction to the events of the last couple of hours? . the events of the last couple of hours? , ., ., , the events of the last couple of hours? , ., .,, _, , hours? the events of the last couple of weeks, months, _ hours? the events of the last couple of weeks, months, you _ hours? the events of the last couple of weeks, months, you could - hours? the events of the last couple of weeks, months, you could say i of weeks, months, you could say years has demonstrated that the conservative party are unfit to govern. the chaos they have created through their ideological movements by truss and her mini budget, the untold damage to the economy, and let's not forget the harm it has caused to people in their everyday lives, people were already struggling from the cost of living crisis and now there is more uncertainty, people are really living in fear about what it means for them. we cannot allow conservative government to allow yet again a very small pool of people to choose who runs this country from an increasingly small pool of people with accounts to do so. so you're basically saying. _ with accounts to do so. so you're basically saying, the _ with accounts to do so. so you're i basically saying, the conservatives had their chance to try to create a fresh start when they chose liz truss, that haven't worked out, yet there isn't a mechanism, is there,

for a general election to be called? it's within the gift of the conservative party, it doesn't look like the conservative party, their mps, are going to vote for that to happen when the party is doing so badly in the polls.— happen when the party is doing so badly in the polls. yes. i recognise of course that _ badly in the polls. yes. i recognise of course that we _ badly in the polls. yes. i recognise of course that we are _ badly in the polls. yes. i recognise of course that we are in _ badly in the polls. yes. i recognise of course that we are in a - of course that we are in a parliamentary democracy and so it's not a constitutionally required to have a general election when they have a general election when they have a general election when they have a change of leader of government. however, it is very clear that the conservative party have lost the trust of the vast majority of the public. they have really lost the authority to govern nationally and internationally. and now, withjeremy hunt at chancellor, he is clearly laying the groundwork for bringing in a second round of austerity, which will be massively harmful. you know, i'm a local councillor in bristol, i have been a councillor in bristol, i have been a councillor since 2015, and so i've seen first—hand the horrendous impacts of the first round of austerity on government spending, including local government spending, and it's really hampering the

ability of local government to provide essential services to people that are struggling, even services like preventing homelessness. and yet with no electoral mandate whatsoever, jeremy hunt is trying to bring in another round of damaging austerity. he is simply not got the votes to back up those policies. he has said that public spending will rise overall but of course there has been no commitment, has there, to that rising in line with inflation, which would be a cut in real terms, to explain to our viewers. but a question i fit to ed davey a couple of minutes ago, as a political party, where the condition such that there was a general election is a possibility, you would be chomping at the bit to get out there and campaign, so without looking unlikely, it seems, what's your strategy now?— unlikely, it seems, what's your strategy now? unlikely, it seems, what's your strate: now? , . ., , ., strategy now? yes, we are ready for a aeneral strategy now? yes, we are ready for a general election _ strategy now? yes, we are ready for a general election and _ strategy now? yes, we are ready for a general election and we _ strategy now? yes, we are ready for a general election and we had i strategy now? yes, we are ready for a general election and we had our. a general election and we had our party conferencejust a a general election and we had our party conference just a couple of weeks ago, a few days before the conservatives, and the contrast could not be more stark the news in the green party conference,

journalist reporting from there, described it as calm. we are focused on pulling in the same direction, a fantastic set of policies including some more that were adopted at that conference, and we are really raring to go to get more greens elected parliament, because whichever party is in government, if we can get a few more green mps in parliament, we can pull that government in the right directions, keep them on the straight and narrow, make sure they are passing pulses that bring us towards a fairer and greener country. —— passing policies. towards a fairer and greener country. -- passing policies. thank ou ve country. -- passing policies. thank you very much- _ you very much. it's going to end up as a question that quizzes, isn't it? which prime minister had the shortest time in office? that's liz truss, the rather ignominious, certainly not an owner, ignominious, certainly not an owner, ignominious title that she would have now, tilt days in office, she is going to be there for one more week until a new leader is appointed by

next friday, the 28th. quite a dizzying speed of events. someone who can put all of this in a much greater context is a historian who joins me now, thank you for your time this afternoon. and i hope you will not correct me, i'm right in saying she is the shortest serving prime minister? she saying she is the shortest serving prime minister?— saying she is the shortest serving prime minister? she is indeed. so georae prime minister? she is indeed. so george canning — prime minister? she is indeed. so george canning was _ prime minister? she is indeed. so george canning was 119 _ prime minister? she is indeed. so george canning was 119 days i prime minister? she is indeed. so george canning was 119 days but i prime minister? she is indeed. so | george canning was 119 days but he died, so he couldn't have done very much about that. and you say trying to put it in some kind of context, i'm not sure i can. all the records are just collapsing before our eyes. this is extraordinary.— this is extraordinary. that's been reflected by _ this is extraordinary. that's been reflected by other _ this is extraordinary. that's been reflected by other people - this is extraordinary. that's been reflected by other people i've i reflected by other people i've spoken to today, that there really isn't any sort of precedent for the sort of thing. so what does this say to the uk, to the rest of the world, about the functioning of parliament here, the mother of parliaments, just across the road from where we

are standing, what does it say about how it functions and how the parties within the system here function? people all around the world look to parliament, so many copied parliaments in one form or other, and so many copied the office of prime minister, which is the longest surviving office anywhere, leader's office anywhere in the modern world. 301 years. we are now onto our 57th prime minister, 57 varieties indeed of prime minister, and i think it's showing them that the country that should be the most grown—up and mature, that has given its system of government across the world, is making a total hash of it at the moment. 5? making a total hash of it at the moment. . making a total hash of it at the moment. , , , , moment. 57 prime ministers but the turnover rate _ moment. 57 prime ministers but the turnover rate in _ moment. 57 prime ministers but the turnover rate in just the _ moment. 57 prime ministers but the turnover rate in just the last - moment. 57 prime ministers but the turnover rate in just the last few i turnover rate in just the last few years has been remarkably fast, hasn't it? of conservative prime ministers in the last count, six years? ministers in the last count, six ears? ~ �* , , , ., years? we've never seen this before.

in the premiership _ years? we've never seen this before. in the premiership league _ years? we've never seen this before. in the premiership league of- in the premiership league of football you expect a rapid turn, but you don't in the league of premiers expect such rapid turn, and we have never seen that before in prime ministers since the 1832 reform act, which created our modern democracy. and when you combine that with the churn of times those of the exchequer, —— chancellors and also home secretaries, this is a fundamental weakness. this means that the country can't recover, and in jeremy that the country can't recover, and injeremy hunt that the country can't recover, and in jeremy hunt there that the country can't recover, and injeremy hunt there is one grown—up sensible figure who has earned trust across the spectrum and markets. if the like of him can be there, then it can stabilise the country economically and financially. politically, it does look like a very bleak future for the tories if they can hold the general election indeed, for two years, and if it's

not going to become an even sooner. he hasjust come if not going to become an even sooner. he has just come if you still chancellor when the new leader is appointed, he hasjust a chancellor when the new leader is appointed, he has just a few days then with that new leader, potentially, before he delivers his fiscal statement, potentially, before he delivers his fiscalstatement, his potentially, before he delivers his fiscal statement, his budget on the 3ist fiscal statement, his budget on the 31st october, so it's very short period. 31st october, so it's very short eriod. �* . 31st october, so it's very short eriod. �* , , 31st october, so it's very short eriod. h , . ., ., period. let's get this clear. you have to have — period. let's get this clear. you have to have stability _ period. let's get this clear. you have to have stability in - period. let's get this clear. you have to have stability in a i have to have stability in a democracy. you have to know who people are, who is the prime minister, who is the chancellor, who is the home secretary overseen the security... is the home secretary overseen the securi . . is the home secretary overseen the securi , , ., , ., is the home secretary overseen the security- - -_ of i security... these big of state. of the whole _ security... these big of state. of the whole country. _ security... these big of state. of the whole country. because i security... these big of state. of the whole country. because the l the whole country. because the markets, foreign powers to this country and they form a jaundiced view. we'vejust lost country and they form a jaundiced view. we've just lost the most recognised, loved, known figure in the relevant in her majesty the queen, that's another element of instability, and we have the possibility of strikes and nhs queues and fuel bills and great uncertainty coming up. it needs

people to stop playing at politics and recognise we have a very serious business. it matters that you have stability and you're never going to get a sizeable round of cuts through, public expenditure cuts through, public expenditure cuts through, is a prime minister commands confidence around that cabinet table, so very rapidly, there needs to be a new prime minister who is a grown—up, who does inspire confidence and who recognises that you can'tjust suddenly rush in. margaret thatcher was very careful, she had her own majority when she came on in 1979, but she still took two years before acting against the trade unions, learning that her predecessor, ted heath, had made a model by rushing in. it requires a serious outbreak of wisdom, that's what we need. stand of wisdom, that's what we need. and it requires. — of wisdom, that's what we need. and it requires. it — of wisdom, that's what we need. and it requires, it sounds as though

you're saying, the conservative party, all of its members, to take a step back and get over their differences in the interests of stability, that's going to be a pretty tall order, because there has been a lot of fractures must in the discussion, in the debate, within the conservatives, hasn't there? they are the to serve, not to serve their own narrow tribal interests but to serve the country at what is becoming, if it is not already, a significant crisis, moving towards the major crises we've had in the past. suez in 1956, the imf crisis in 1976, black wednesday 1992, there are elements of all of those in this and this could get even worse unless

somebody, for goodness' sake, get a grip soon. somebody, for goodness' sake, get a trio soon. ., , ., somebody, for goodness' sake, get a u-risoon. ., , ., . ~e ., somebody, for goodness' sake, get a tri-soon. ., , ., . ~e grip soon. really to talk to you. thank you _ grip soon. really to talk to you. thank you for— grip soon. really to talk to you. thank you for your _ grip soon. really to talk to you. thank you for your time - grip soon. really to talk to you. thank you for your time today. | grip soon. really to talk to you. i thank you for your time today. we will have more reaction for you here on college green very soon but, right now, it is back to the studio. let's just bring you a little bit more on the possibility that boris johnson could stand in the leadership contest. the times are certainly reporting that they are quoting sources close to boris johnson saying that he believes it is a matter of interest, soundings been taken would be an extraordinary statement a matter of weeks after he finally left downing street that he could feasibly return there. we have someone from our political editor chris mason on that speculation and chris mason on that speculation and chris mason on that speculation and chris mason says that those around borisjohnson i'm not knocking the stories down. a source telling our political editor he is not saying anything either way at the moment.

it's being reported by the times but it has not been clarified or confirmed at all. borisjohnson is going to run in this leadership race. so we will have to watch this space. we have also had a statement from the us presidentjoe biden about the resignation announced today of liz truss and i willjust tell you whatjoe biden has been saying. that the us in the uk are strong allies and enduring friends. that fact will never change. i thank prime minister liz truss for her partnership on a range of issues including holding brush accountable for its war against ukraine. we will continue our close co—operation, says joe continue our close co—operation, sastoe biden, with the uk government, as we work together to meet the global challenges that our nations face. so that is a statement just in from joe biden, reacting to the news that liz truss is stepping

down as toy party leader and will be gone as ukp minister injust a down as toy party leader and will be gone as ukp minister in just a few days' time once a successor is elected by the conservative party. he was that going to be? it will no doubt about mason but let's go to our correspondent getting reaction from voters who must be pretty surprised that today's turn of events may be not surprised? some are, some events may be not surprised? some are. some are _ events may be not surprised? some are, some are into. _ events may be not surprised? some are, some are into. of— events may be not surprised? some are, some are into. of the - events may be not surprised? some are, some are into. of the short i are, some are into. of the short time we have been here we got various reactions on that. we will find out a couple of people in a second. let me tell you about the constituency therein. it is one of the more marginal seats in the country. currently held by the conservatives in the form of a majority of 985 so very marginal here. it tends to flip—flop over the last few years between the conservatives and the liberal democrats but at the moment it is held marginally and it is also a busy town, busy city this afternoon because there is a graduation ceremony going on at a local university and to people who have

stopped by to talk to us are here for the day. let me ask you. what is your reaction to liz truss going, first of all?— your reaction to liz truss going, first of all? , ., ., , ., first of all? very good news. that woman was _ first of all? very good news. that woman was trying _ first of all? very good news. that woman was trying to _ first of all? very good news. that woman was trying to destroy i first of all? very good news. that woman was trying to destroy the | woman was trying to destroy the country— woman was trying to destroy the country with these mad policies and at last— country with these mad policies and at last the _ country with these mad policies and at last the tories have seen sense and pushed her out. you make you voted _ and pushed her out. you make you voted various parties down the years — voted various parties down the years. what is your reaction to her growing? — years. what is your reaction to her growing? i— years. what is your reaction to her trtowin ? ., . years. what is your reaction to her trtowin? ., , ~ years. what is your reaction to her trtowin ? . , . ._ «e growing? i am 'ust... array. i think it is well past — growing? i amjust... array. ithink it is well past time _ growing? i amjust... array. ithink it is well past time but _ growing? i amjust... array. ithink it is well past time but i _ growing? i amjust... array. ithink it is well past time but i thought i it is well past time but i thought she was— it is well past time but i thought she was absolutely— it is well past time but i thought she was absolutely appalling. i it is well past time but i thought i she was absolutely appalling. were ou she was absolutely appalling. were you surprised _ she was absolutely appalling. were you surprised you _ she was absolutely appalling. were you surprised you went? _ she was absolutely appalling. were you surprised you went? no, i she was absolutely appalling. were you surprised you went? no, not i you surprised you went? no, not reall . you surprised you went? no, not really. because _ you surprised you went? no, not really. because it _ you surprised you went? no, not really. because it has _ you surprised you went? no, not really. because it has sorta i you surprised you went? no, not really. because it has sorta beenj really. because it has sorta been coming _ really. because it has sorta been coming for— really. because it has sorta been coming for a _ really. because it has sorta been coming for a few— really. because it has sorta been coming for a few days _ really. because it has sorta been coming for a few days now. i really. because it has sorta been coming for a few days now. shel really. because it has sorta been. coming for a few days now. she just kept hanging — coming for a few days now. she just kept hanging on _ coming for a few days now. she just kept hanging on there _ coming for a few days now. she just kept hanging on there and - coming for a few days now. she just kept hanging on there and we i coming for a few days now. she just . kept hanging on there and we thought she would _ kept hanging on there and we thought she would never— kept hanging on there and we thought she would never go. _ kept hanging on there and we thought she would never go.— she would never go. you've got a few ideas as to — she would never go. you've got a few ideas as to what _ she would never go. you've got a few ideas as to what should _ she would never go. you've got a few ideas as to what should come i she would never go. you've got a few ideas as to what should come next? i she would never go. you've got a few| ideas as to what should come next? a general election, please. absolutely, _ general election, please. absolutely, a _ general election, please. absolutely, a general- general election, please. - absolutely, a general election. general election, please. _ absolutely, a general election. that is the _ absolutely, a general election. that is the only— absolutely, a general election. that is the only thing. you can't keep

putting — is the only thing. you can't keep putting on— is the only thing. you can't keep putting on another prime minister, the tories — putting on another prime minister, the tories selecting among themselves.— the tories selecting among themselves. , , ., ,, , themselves. lets 'ust assume they are for the themselves. letsjust assume they are for the moment, _ themselves. letsjust assume they are for the moment, for _ themselves. letsjust assume they are for the moment, for the - themselves. letsjust assume they i are for the moment, for the purpose of the next week or so, which candidates are popping up in your mind? �* , ., . , candidates are popping up in your mind? �* . , ., candidates are popping up in your mind? ., ., , mind? anyone except for boris johnson mind? anyone except for boris johnson so _ mind? anyone except for boris johnson so i — mind? anyone except for boris johnson so i guess _ mind? anyone except for boris johnson so i guess visually - mind? anyone except for boris l johnson so i guess visually soon mind? anyone except for boris - johnson so i guess visually soon act johnson so i guess visually soon act has at _ johnson so i guess visually soon act has at least — johnson so i guess visually soon act has at least got a brain on him which — has at least got a brain on him which is — has at least got a brain on him which is more than you could say for liz truss _ which is more than you could say for liz truss. , , ,., liz truss. the times is reporting boris is standing _ liz truss. the times is reporting boris is standing but _ liz truss. the times is reporting boris is standing but no - boris is standing but no confirmation from anybody but would boris be one for you? he confirmation from anybody but would boris be one for you?— boris be one for you? he was a disaster- _ boris be one for you? he was a disaster- he — boris be one for you? he was a disaster. he is _ boris be one for you? he was a disaster. he is under— boris be one for you? he was a i disaster. he is under investigation stilt, _ disaster. he is under investigation still, i_ disaster. he is under investigation stilt, idon't— disaster. he is under investigation still, i don't see _ disaster. he is under investigation still, i don't see how— disaster. he is under investigation still, i don't see how he _ disaster. he is under investigation still, i don't see how he could - still, idon't see how he could possibly— still, i don't see how he could possibly even _ still, i don't see how he could possibly even stand. - still, i don't see how he could possibly even stand. give - still, i don't see how he could possibly even stand. give us. still, i don't see how he could| possibly even stand. give us a still, i don't see how he could - possibly even stand. give us a name each? _ synagogue grove. gove on he has general election is what is needed for the _ general election is what is needed for the country. the general election is what is needed for the country.— for the country. the kind of voices i susect for the country. the kind of voices i suspect that _ for the country. the kind of voices i suspect that the _ for the country. the kind of voices i suspect that the candidates - for the country. the kind of voices i suspect that the candidates who | for the country. the kind of voices i i suspect that the candidates who do stand in the next week or so, we'll be hearing a lot from.—

be hearing a lot from. immediate reaction there _ be hearing a lot from. immediate reaction there from _ be hearing a lot from. immediate reaction there from winchester. i be hearing a lot from. immediate i reaction there from winchester. we have been hearing from the conservative mp who says there should be a general election in reasonably short order and that the public would be rightly furious if that were unnecessarily delayed. it has been speaking to bbc radio hereford and worcester and he started off by saying how damaging liz truss's time in office has been for the country and indeed for his party. it for the country and indeed for his .a _ ., , , for the country and indeed for his party. it has been simply breathtakingly _ party. it has been simply| breathtakingly damaging. party. it has been simply i breathtakingly damaging. it party. it has been simply - breathtakingly damaging. it is absolutely astonishing. if you think we were with boris when he left, i don't know, five or six points behind in the opinion polls in the latest one has is at —36 which is astonishing. if we had an election tomorrow, there would not be a single conservative member of parliament left. the conservative party is the most successful political party that has ever been

in the history of politics in the world. it is been extraordinarily successful and liz truss has done an extraordinary amount of damage to it. i'd make you just let it there, really, if you were to have a general election tomorrow there will not be conservative mp left. as we had with our political reporter there, james, we did not get to choose the last one. not going to get to choose this one is a voting nation. morally, why shouldn't there be a general election? isn't it time? i be a general election? isn't it time? , , ., ~ time? i completely agree. at the end ofthe time? i completely agree. at the end of the da , time? i completely agree. at the end of the day. the _ time? i completely agree. at the end of the day, the constitution - time? i completely agree. at the end of the day, the constitution doesn't l of the day, the constitution doesn't require _ of the day, the constitution doesn't require it _ of the day, the constitution doesn't require it but your point about it being _ require it but your point about it being morally the right thing to do. i being morally the right thing to do. twas _ being morally the right thing to do. i was asked about this earlier this week— i was asked about this earlier this week and — i was asked about this earlier this week and i— i was asked about this earlier this week and i basically sort of said i agree _ week and i basically sort of said i agree with — week and i basically sort of said i agree with the principle that we should — agree with the principle that we should test the new prime minister in reasonably short order rather than _ in reasonably short order rather than wait — in reasonably short order rather than wait potentially untiljanuary 2025~ _ than wait potentially untiljanuary 2025 t _ than wait potentially untiljanuary 2025. i think people would be furious, — 2025. i think people would be furious, rightly furious. one caveat to that _

furious, rightly furious. one caveat to that comment, ever the important point, _ to that comment, ever the important point, it— to that comment, ever the important point, it would be a very unhealthy generat— point, it would be a very unhealthy general election if you were to have a, one _ general election if you were to have a, one of— general election if you were to have a, one of the major protagonists and particularly _ a, one of the major protagonists and particularly the party and government at the time, being in complete — government at the time, being in complete disarray because democracy requires _ complete disarray because democracy requires there to be viable choices. if requires there to be viable choices. if we _ requires there to be viable choices. if we had _ requires there to be viable choices. if we had a — requires there to be viable choices. if we had a general election today with no— if we had a general election today with no leader it would not really be a viable — with no leader it would not really be a viable choice so i think what we probably ask for is a bit of time to get— we probably ask for is a bit of time to get ourselves into general election— to get ourselves into general election order and then go to the country— election order and then go to the country because i completely agree with you _ country because i completely agree with you i— country because i completely agree with you. i think people would be riqhtty— with you. i think people would be rightly furious if we delayed this unnecessarily before having a general— unnecessarily before having a general election.— unnecessarily before having a general election. that is the view of one conservative _ general election. that is the view of one conservative mp. - general election. that is the view of one conservative mp. just - general election. that is the view of one conservative mp. just a i general election. that is the view| of one conservative mp. just a bit of one conservative mp. just a bit of reaction to that. a report in the times newspaper this afternoon that

borisjohnson is considering boris johnson is considering standing, borisjohnson is considering standing, being one of the contenders for the tory leadership race to replace liz truss, which should be an extraordinary development, considering the fact he only left downing street a matter of weeks ago. and the deputy liberal democrat leader has said he should be barred from competing in the tory leadership contest and quoting daisy cooper who said the fact that conservative mps are even considering putting borisjohnson considering putting boris johnson backin considering putting borisjohnson back in number ten shows how out of touch they really are. borisjohnson was forced to resign in disgrace was to be shattered public trust in the government. he must never be allowed near downing street again. that is the view of the liberal democrats. we have not yet had it confirmed that boris johnson we have not yet had it confirmed that borisjohnson is in contention for the leadership again. we're hearing that he is taking soundings. let's get more from anita at yes, ben, thank you. you'rejust hearing that news as well about mark garnier. the shadow work and

pensions secretary is with me looking pleasantly surprised at that statement from mark garnier. you may guess, i agree with him. it's pretty clear to me that the conservatives have no mandate to stay in government. the crisis of soaring mortgage rates, the pension funds, it is an economic crisis which was designed and manufactured in downing street. tory mps cannot stitch it up in the force on the country another tory prime minister and catch the public out. being a general election now. are you surprised to hear a conservative mp say that? i wonder if you think he is an outlier because with the they are commercially the majority of conservative mps would not want an election. i conservative mps would not want an election. ., ., election. i did not hear the interview _ election. i did not hear the interview but _ election. i did not hear the interview but i _ election. i did not hear the interview but i suspect - election. i did not hear the interview but i suspect he | election. i did not hear the - interview but i suspect he probably agrees that it is apparent we have another tory prime minister forced upon us and the public are denied any saying that whatsoever. we need any saying that whatsoever. we need a general election because this conservative government, after 12

years, have got no mandate. they've given us economic crisis and people have had enough. people have really had enough and we need a government that will stabilise the economy, clear up this economic mess and rebuild our public services so i think mike probably senses, like i do, that people have had enough and thatis do, that people have had enough and that is why we need a general election. ., , ., ., ., that is why we need a general election. ., i. ., ., . ., that is why we need a general election. ., ., ., . ., , election. how you going to clear up what ou election. how you going to clear up what you call— election. how you going to clear up what you call the _ election. how you going to clear up what you call the economic - election. how you going to clear up what you call the economic mess i election. how you going to clear up i what you call the economic mess with many of the global conditions at the current government is facing still in place, to be in place for some time, the war in ukraine chief amongst them?— time, the war in ukraine chief amongst them? there is a global background. _ amongst them? there is a global background, that _ amongst them? there is a global background, that is _ amongst them? there is a global background, that is true. - amongst them? there is a global background, that is true. that's l amongst them? there is a global i background, that is true. that's why it was so disastrous at the conservatives to pour petrol on that fire with that budget which led to soaring mortgage rates. we would always be prudent and we will never be reckless with the public finances so we would bring stability and sends back to the economy but we will also begin to rebuild our

public services and will take measures to help stabilise the cost of living crisis as well. i’m measures to help stabilise the cost of living crisis as well.— of living crisis as well. i'm 'ust auoin to of living crisis as well. i'm 'ust going to interrupt i of living crisis as well. i'm 'ust going to interrupt her�* of living crisis as well. i'm just| going to interrupt her interview right now because, as we look at these pictures of downing street, so much has happened there in the last couple of hours, we are goodbye just now and thanks for watching to our viewers on bbc one. and still with me here at westminster, labour's shadow work and pensions secretary. at a single line been reported by the westminster editor of the sun who says he has been told boris johnson is making plans to cut short his holiday and he hopes to be on a flight back to the uk this evening from the dominican republic. speculation that he might throw this out in the ring to become prime minister again. what is your reaction to that? it absolutely be cars reaction to that? it absolutely beggars belief, _ reaction to that? it absolutely beggars belief, doesn't - reaction to that? it absolutely beggars belief, doesn't it? . reaction to that? it absolutely i beggars belief, doesn't it? boris johnson was the man who is partying

away in downing street, breaking all the rules, he was contributing to this crisis that we are men and tory mps are now turning to boris johnson? i don't actually believe it. ithink it johnson? i don't actually believe it. i think itjust reinforces the point i was making earlier. that this could all be stitched up in the corridors of that building and the public are denied any say whatsoever is apparent. we need a general election. ~ ., . ., , ., election. without the mechanism to achieve that. _ election. without the mechanism to achieve that, as _ election. without the mechanism to achieve that, as i _ election. without the mechanism to achieve that, as i have _ election. without the mechanism to achieve that, as i have been - achieve that, as i have been discussing in the last few minutes with other party leaders, without the mechanism to achieve that, what are you going to do, what is your strategy? irate are you going to do, what is your stratea ? ~ . are you going to do, what is your strate- ? . ., ., are you going to do, what is your stratea ? ~ ., ., _, ., strategy? we have to continue to make the argument _ strategy? we have to continue to make the argument but - strategy? we have to continue to make the argument but i - strategy? we have to continue to make the argument but i can - strategy? we have to continue to make the argument but i can tell| make the argument but i can tell you, i sense a yearning for change in the country. when i talk to people about the rising food shopping bills, the gas and electric bills, the soaring mortgage rates, as a consequence of decisions taken by this conservative government after 12 years in power, people have had enough. i think people want a change in direction and the idea that they can all just

change in direction and the idea that they can alljust cook it happen here, stitch it up in here and deny the british public a say in any of that, i think tory mps will get quite a rude awakening and that is why we are going to repeat our message and it is notjust the message and it is notjust the message of politicians, it is the message of politicians, it is the message of politicians, it is the message of the british people, that we need a general election. i5 message of the british people, that we need a general election.- we need a general election. is does not aet we need a general election. is does not get you — we need a general election. is does not get you what — we need a general election. is does not get you what you _ we need a general election. is does not get you what you are _ we need a general election. is does i not get you what you are expressing, it does not get you to that mechanism to have a general election. .., ., mechanism to have a general election. _, ., mechanism to have a general election. ., , , . election. incommode some respect, we are operating — election. incommode some respect, we are operating within _ election. incommode some respect, we are operating within the _ election. incommode some respect, we are operating within the rules _ election. incommode some respect, we are operating within the rules of- are operating within the rules of parliament so in the end it is up to conservative mps to decide... general election now!- conservative mps to decide... general election now! there you go. it's u- to general election now! there you go. it's up to conservative _ general election now! there you go. it's up to conservative mps - general election now! there you go. it's up to conservative mps whether| it's up to conservative mps whether they want to stitch it up for the tory party over that want to put the national interest first and put the general election now. i think there is a yearning for change because people have had enough.- is a yearning for change because people have had enough. thank you ve much people have had enough. thank you very much indeed. _ people have had enough. thank you very much indeed. so _ people have had enough. thank you very much indeed. so there - people have had enough. thank you very much indeed. so there you - people have had enough. thank you l very much indeed. so there you heard it and we have heard from other parties here, the lib dems, the green party, all of them believe chomping at the bit to get to a general election but, at the moment, thatis general election but, at the moment, that is not within the gift, only, of the conservatives. one more week. a little over a week, friday next week we are going to have a new

leader of the conservative party. a new prime minister. let's see if any other mp5, new prime minister. let's see if any other mps, in the meantime, have come out and said there should be an election. so far let's explore that idea bit more now. we can talk to the constitutional expert, a research professor at centre for british politics and government at king's couege politics and government at king's college london. i mean, constitutionally, clearly, there doesn't have to be an election. but is there a question of democratic legitimacy or a new prime minister coming in, whoever he or she may be? let me first apologise to you and to the viewers because i'm suffering from a code which is unfortunately covered but i think i'm in a better state than the conservative party. now, constitutionally, there is no case for a general election. there

was not one, for example, when gordon brown succeeded tony blair in 2007 91990 whenjohn major succeeded margaret thatcher however, what we have here is a second change of prime minister within the same parliament. and that has never happened before except in the unusual circumstances of wartime in 1940 unusual circumstances of wartime in 191i0 when winston churchill replaced neville chamberlain who had in turn replaced stanley baldwin. the political case is obviously very strong because the new prime minister needs a mandate for the austerity programmes which chancellorjeremy hunt has promised but that is a political argument are not a constitutional one.— but that is a political argument are not a constitutional one. when you watch today's _ not a constitutional one. when you watch today's events _ not a constitutional one. when you watch today's events unfold - not a constitutional one. when you watch today's events unfold in - watch today's events unfold in downing street, what was your reaction. this trust, as we have been observing, has served us by minister for less time than leadership contest that she thought over the summer, she is the shortest terms prime minister in british political history. george canning i

think was over 100 days. she is going to be lucky if she makes 50 days. going to be lucky if she makes 50 da s. . , going to be lucky if she makes 50 das. ., , ~ days. that is absolutely right. we are seeinu days. that is absolutely right. we are seeing unprecedented - days. that is absolutely right. we are seeing unprecedented events| days. that is absolutely right. we - are seeing unprecedented events but are seeing unprecedented events but a lot of that has been concentrated, not surprisingly, on this trust. it is worth saying the policy she was following were notjust hers. they were the policies broadly of the break as it wing of the conservative party, of the cheerleaders of brakes it likes ofjohn redwood and suella braverman. so it is notjust her responsibility, to something much wider than that, i think. find responsibility, to something much wider than that, i think.— wider than that, i think. and is that still fight _ wider than that, i think. and is that still fight for _ wider than that, i think. and is that still fight for the - wider than that, i think. and is that still fight for the soul - wider than that, i think. and is that still fight for the soul of i wider than that, i think. and is i that still fight for the soul of the conservative party, do you think, in the wake of brexit?_ conservative party, do you think, in the wake of brexit? well, now been discredited and _ the wake of brexit? well, now been discredited and the _ the wake of brexit? well, now been discredited and the idea _ the wake of brexit? well, now been discredited and the idea of- the wake of brexit? well, now been discredited and the idea of tax - the wake of brexit? well, now been discredited and the idea of tax cuts| discredited and the idea of tax cuts based on borrowing has also been discredited. we face now, austerity. that's not wholly due to the mistakes that there trust's government has made. we've had those problems anyway because of the energy crisis and war and covid. in

any case, people standards of living we have two file even of liz truss and never existed and that is appointed to be made because all of the problems are now being blamed on this trust under though she has worsened the situation, we would face a crisis even without that. indie face a crisis even without that. we have seen the next prime ministers going to be the fifth prime minister in six years. just put that into historical context for us because, you know, in the old days, when i was growing up, prime ministers lasted quite a few years, not quite a few days. lasted quite a few years, not quite a few days-— a few days. yes, all that is unprecedented _ a few days. yes, all that is unprecedented and - a few days. yes, all that is unprecedented and as - a few days. yes, all that is unprecedented and as you | a few days. yes, all that is - unprecedented and as you implied a moment ago, it is partly due to brexit. if you can go back to 1975 and we had another referendum on europe, that led to a 2—1 majority for staying in the european union, very pro—european royjenkins, senior minister within a labour party said he was worried because we

have been hope of fading nations. we do not feel comfortable because he did not like the look of some things. if you look at what has happened since 2016, as it were, the wardens of breaks that have taken over and people had to make their ownjudgments about over and people had to make their own judgments about that. hagar over and people had to make their own judgments about that. how much damaae, own judgments about that. how much damage, whether _ own judgments about that. how much damage, whether there _ own judgments about that. how much damage, whether there is _ own judgments about that. how much damage, whether there is an - own judgments about that. how much damage, whether there is an election| damage, whether there is an election we don't have a long that will become obviously, how much damage to all of this has done to the conservative party, whoever is the next leader? in terms of both the party's reputation for fiscal credibility and for political stability? element within politics, as in life, anything can happen. before the falklands war in 1982, margaret thatcher was the most unpopular prime minister since records began. the venue and then predicted the conservatives would be

in power for predicted the conservatives would be in powerfor another 15 predicted the conservatives would be in power for another 15 years they would have been thought to be rather deranged. again, when margaret thatcher fell in 1990 never believe the conservatives could recover but underjohn major they did. they said this is a fresh administration, very little to do with margaret thatcher and the conservatives did in 1992. while it is likely they are facing electoral defeat there is no iron law and politics. always good to get your analysis. thank you so much. in this extraordinary day at westminster. thank you for your time. ijust want westminster. thank you for your time. i just want to westminster. thank you for your time. ijust want to bring you something that theresa may, one of the tory 's recent prime ministers, of course, has said. the prime minister, liz truss, its right to provide a road map for an orderly transition. mps must now be prepared to compromise. those are the words of theresa may,

it is probably fair to say she is not going to be in the running for the leadership contest but boris johnson certainly might be. we are hearing from reports that he is taking soundings on whether or not to stand in the leadership race. we got my reaction now from our political correspondent who is in the house of commons. the sort of runners and riders already potentially beginning to emerge. what are you hearing, jonathan? thea;r what are you hearing, jonathan? they are, then. what are you hearing, jonathan? they are. then- and — what are you hearing, jonathan? they are, then. and boris _ what are you hearing, jonathan? the: are, then. and borisjohnson is what are you hearing, jonathan? tt9:1: are, then. and borisjohnson is one name which is being talked about and not on the other is close to him nothing to dampen down the speculation that he may well throw his hat into the ring to make a spectacular return as he might hope. some of his supporters are out making the running for him and we can speak to one of them now. boris johnson left office not three months

ago. a tide of resignations meant that he lost the confidence of the conservative parliamentary party. why should he come back as leader? i'm very sorry that the prime ministers _ i'm very sorry that the prime ministers had to resign today for she is— ministers had to resign today for she is a — ministers had to resign today for she is a decent person wanted to deliver— she is a decent person wanted to deliver for— she is a decent person wanted to deliver for this country and i'm sorry— deliver for this country and i'm sorry she — deliver for this country and i'm sorry she has not had the chance to do that— sorry she has not had the chance to do that and — sorry she has not had the chance to do that and i— sorry she has not had the chance to do that and i really want to wish a well but _ do that and i really want to wish a well but with boris johnson, do that and i really want to wish a well but with borisjohnson, of course, — well but with borisjohnson, of course, he _ well but with borisjohnson, of course, he did win the last confidence vote he had and we are looking _ confidence vote he had and we are looking at — confidence vote he had and we are looking at someone who has a nrandate _ looking at someone who has a mandate. he has a mandate with the general— mandate. he has a mandate with the general electorate. it is a mandate

with party— general electorate. it is a mandate with party members. he shown he can be a winner— with party members. he shown he can be a winner as well and delivered a historic— be a winner as well and delivered a historic 80 — be a winner as well and delivered a historic 80 seat majority and with the turmoil we have the moment we need someone who can unite the party, _ need someone who can unite the party, someone who can get is back in the _ party, someone who can get is back in the polls— party, someone who can get is back in the polls there and someone who can actually be a winner and for me boris _ can actually be a winner and for me borisjohnson is the man can actually be a winner and for me boris johnson is the man who takes all boris johnson is the man who takes at! of— boris johnson is the man who takes at! of those — boris johnson is the man who takes all of those boxes. his boris johnson is the man who takes all of those boxes.— all of those boxes. his handling of the -a all of those boxes. his handling of the party gave _ all of those boxes. his handling of the party gave sager _ all of those boxes. his handling of the party gave sager was - all of those boxes. his handling of the party gave sager was hanging | the party gave sager was hanging over him until the very end. be still under investigation potentially by the standards committee in parliament. we could end up with a sanction that sees him losing his seat. is it really realistic to expect him to come back as prime minister? i realistic to expect him to come back as prime minister?— as prime minister? i think i've been in the media _ as prime minister? i think i've been in the media quite _ as prime minister? i think i've been in the media quite a _ as prime minister? i think i've been in the media quite a lot _ as prime minister? i think i've been in the media quite a lot defending l in the media quite a lot defending boris _ in the media quite a lot defending borisjohnson when he in the media quite a lot defending boris johnson when he was in the media quite a lot defending borisjohnson when he was prime minister— borisjohnson when he was prime minister put up certainly, the opposition didn't want him to be prime _ opposition didn't want him to be prime minister because he is a very successful— prime minister because he is a very successful politician and they may be disappointed but i think he's been _ be disappointed but i think he's been picked on, if i'm honest, various— been picked on, if i'm honest, various ways. he handed himself the dignity— various ways. he handed himself the dignity there. people are sick and tired _ dignity there. people are sick and tired of— dignity there. people are sick and tired of seeing politicians navel—gazing and arguing between themselves and we have to be is a bit of— themselves and we have to be is a bit of maturity, coming together, realty. _ bit of maturity, coming together, really. hit — bit of maturity, coming together, really, bit of compromise and so boris _ really, bit of compromise and so borisjohnson can come back. we got that big _ borisjohnson can come back. we got that big tent are mechanically a lot of people — that big tent are mechanically a lot of people. there is a lot of talent on the _ of people. there is a lot of talent on the bench is that this is really a time _ on the bench is that this is really a time to— on the bench is that this is really a time to pull together and deliver for four— a time to pull together and deliver for four people in this country and we can— for four people in this country and we can only— for four people in this country and we can only do that if we win etections~ _ we can only do that if we win elections. borisjohnson are shown he can— elections. borisjohnson are shown he can do— elections. borisjohnson are shown he can do that. elections. boris johnson are shown he can do that-— he can do that. labour saying it would be a _ he can do that. labour saying it would be a stitch _ he can do that. labour saying it would be a stitch up _ he can do that. labour saying it would be a stitch up if- he can do that. labour saying it would be a stitch up if boris - would be a stitch up if boris johnson isn't sold as leader. to think scared? he johnson isn't sold as leader. to think scared?— think scared? he is their worst nightmare- — think scared? he is their worst nightmare. if— think scared? he is their worst nightmare. if you _ think scared? he is their worst

nightmare. if you remember, | think scared? he is their worst| nightmare. if you remember, it think scared? he is their worst - nightmare. if you remember, it was said at— nightmare. if you remember, it was said at the — nightmare. if you remember, it was said at the time in the daily mirror, _ said at the time in the daily mirror, which leader would you feel the most _ mirror, which leader would you feel the most during the leadership contest — the most during the leadership contest and they said boris johnson. and i_ contest and they said boris johnson. and i think— contest and they said boris johnson. and i think that is still the case. white _ and i think that is still the case. while we — and i think that is still the case. while we had a lot of talented people — while we had a lot of talented people in the summer, of course, it has not _ people in the summer, of course, it has not worked out. and perhaps it is time _ has not worked out. and perhaps it is time to— has not worked out. and perhaps it is time to bring boris back. leadership contest within a week. is that we leap possible and you think the members can or should have a say within that timeframe? it is within that timeframe? it is possible. — within that timeframe? it is possible, yes. _ within that timeframe? it is possible, yes. the - within that timeframe? it is possible, yes. the opposite happened in the _ possible, yes. the opposite happened in the summer. it was way too long. dragged _ in the summer. it was way too long. dragged on— in the summer. it was way too long. dragged on too much and i was too much _ dragged on too much and i was too much debate there. people do not want _ much debate there. people do not want to— much debate there. people do not want to see long drawn out competition is for people to be the leader— competition is for people to be the leader of— competition is for people to be the leader of the party. they want us to -et leader of the party. they want us to get it— leader of the party. they want us to get it done — leader of the party. they want us to get it done quickly. we changed him secretary— get it done quickly. we changed him secretary yesterday. and if you've grown _ secretary yesterday. and if you've grown up — secretary yesterday. and if you've grown up in — secretary yesterday. and if you've grown up in government and deliver a people _ grown up in government and deliver a people then _ grown up in government and deliver a people then you have to move fast. so i people then you have to move fast. so i think— people then you have to move fast. so i think it — people then you have to move fast. so i think it is right to get it done — so i think it is right to get it done quickly. with party members, certainty— done quickly. with party members, certainly they they had a say in the summer— certainly they they had a say in the summer and certainly they they had a say in the summerand they do certainly they they had a say in the summer and they do not feel happy at

the moment but borisjohnson has that approval of party members and that approval of party members and that is— that approval of party members and that is why— that approval of party members and that is why think it will be the ideal— that is why think it will be the ideal candidate. if that is why think it will be the ideal candidate.— ideal candidate. if not boris johnson who _ ideal candidate. if not boris johnson who should - ideal candidate. if not boris johnson who should it - ideal candidate. if not boris johnson who should it be? i ideal candidate. if not boris - johnson who should it be? i don't know, to johnson who should it be? i don't know. to be _ johnson who should it be? i don't know, to be honest. _ johnson who should it be? i don't know, to be honest. we - johnson who should it be? i don't know, to be honest. we will - johnson who should it be? i don't know, to be honest. we will see| johnson who should it be? i don't i know, to be honest. we will see you put the _ know, to be honest. we will see you put the name forward but whoever becomes _ put the name forward but whoever becomes the leader, and i backed liz truss— becomes the leader, and i backed liz truss in— becomes the leader, and i backed liz truss in the _ becomes the leader, and i backed liz truss in the summer, a fishy sunak had won— truss in the summer, a fishy sunak had won it — truss in the summer, a fishy sunak had won it i — truss in the summer, a fishy sunak had won it i have given him a 100% support— had won it i have given him a 100% support because divided parties did when _ support because divided parties did when elections. whoever wins, everyone — when elections. whoever wins, everyone needs to give them their full backing because if they don't, we're _ full backing because if they don't, we're not — full backing because if they don't, we're not going to function as a government and it is not going to work _ government and it is not going to work if_ government and it is not going to work. , �* :, , government and it is not going to work. , :, work. if it is boris johnson would need a new _ work. if it is boris johnson would need a new mandate, _ work. if it is boris johnson would need a new mandate, should - work. if it is boris johnson would need a new mandate, should he| work. if it is boris johnson would . need a new mandate, should he call work. if it is boris johnson would - need a new mandate, should he call a general election? i need a new mandate, should he call a general election?— general election? i don't think he does. we have _ general election? i don't think he does. we have the _ general election? i don't think he does. we have the 2019 - general election? i don't think he i does. we have the 2019 manifesto they handle the levelling up that we wanted _ they handle the levelling up that we wanted to _ they handle the levelling up that we wanted to do. really i think he wants— wanted to do. really i think he wants to — wanted to do. really i think he wants to finish the job there so i think— wants to finish the job there so i think the — wants to finish the job there so i think the mandate is very much already— think the mandate is very much already there and i think, really, he wants— already there and i think, really, he wants to come in, he has got the drive, _ he wants to come in, he has got the drive, he _ he wants to come in, he has got the drive, he has — he wants to come in, he has got the drive, he has got the passion. he stated _ drive, he has got the passion. he stated that — drive, he has got the passion. he stated that his passion for the job has never— stated that his passion for the job has never really gone away. and now he is _ has never really gone away. and now he is on _ has never really gone away. and now he is on holiday with his family at the moment and i'm sure he is taking a well—deserved break but if he is

listening. — a well—deserved break but if he is listening, there are certainly a lot of support— listening, there are certainly a lot of support and i would urge them to put his— of support and i would urge them to put his name forward.— of support and i would urge them to put his name forward. thank you very much forjoining _ put his name forward. thank you very much forjoining us _ put his name forward. thank you very much forjoining us here _ put his name forward. thank you very much forjoining us here on _ much forjoining us here on bbc news. support already here in parliament from some conservative mps parliament from some conservative mp5 for boris johnson parliament from some conservative mp5 for borisjohnson to make a return. no confirmation from him that he intends to stand but plenty of speculation that he may do and that would make few days ahead. ruled out of the contest so far. jeremy hunt, the chancellor, michael gove, the former levelling up secretary as well as holding several otherjobs in cabinet. big questions over suella braverman. and the international trade secretary who has yet to declare. both of those would be crucial names in the contest. any mordaunt also picking up contest. any mordaunt also picking up a lot of support as well. a quick question. if they want to do this painlessly and quickly, and it

sounds like that is what sir graham brady, chairman of the 1922 committee, billy wants, it would be best for the party, wouldn't it? one single candidate emerge that they could all agree on. that does not seem, though, very likely at the moment? in the market there was one single candidate that the party could have got behind and they would have done so already and liz truss would have left office in than she is intending to. there will be a contest. it will be quick but i think the chances of it being painless are pretty slim because, as we are hearing, there is no groundswell of support behind one candidate. pretty soon, people talk about, of course, he finished behind liz truss in the leadership contest earlier this summer but for many years toxic because his resignation as chancellor triggered boris johnson's eventual downfall. at the moment, at least, it does not look like the party is ready to swing behind one name and there are several who may have to fight it out

in a swift contest to replace liz truss. thank you very much indeed. this to show you the scene live in downing street. liz truss resigning as conservative leader after 114 chaotic days in office in the race to succeed her, as we havejust chaotic days in office in the race to succeed her, as we have just been hearing, is now under way. i'm christian fraser live in downing street. liz truss has resigned from her role as prime minister and leader of the conservative party. i recognise, though, given the situation, i cannot deliver the mandate on which i was elected by the conservative party. i have therefore spoken to his majesty the king to notify him that i am resigning as leader of the conservative party. there will be a conservative leadership election within the next week. to find a third prime minister of

the united kingdom in three months. i have spoken to the party chairman, jake berry, and he has confirmed that it will be possible to conduct a ballot and conclude a leadership election by friday the 28th of october. labour leader sir keir starmer has repeated his call for a general election, saying it is time for the public to decide. brute election, saying it is time for the public to decide.— election, saying it is time for the public to decide. we cannot have a revolvin: public to decide. we cannot have a revolving door _ public to decide. we cannot have a revolving door of _ public to decide. we cannot have a revolving door of chaos, _ public to decide. we cannot have a revolving door of chaos, another i revolving door of chaos, another experiment at the top of the tory party. there is an alternative and thatis party. there is an alternative and that is a stable labour government and the public are entitled to have their say and that's why there should be a general election. this makes liz truss _ should be a general election. this makes liz truss the _ should be a general election. this makes liz truss the shortest serving uk prime minister ever after being in office forjust uk prime minister ever after being in office for just 45 uk prime minister ever after being in office forjust 45 days.

hello and welcome to viewers in the uk and around the world. another extraordinary day in british politics. a short time ago, liz truss resigned as prime minister and leader of the conservative party, admitting she can no longer deliver the mandate she was elected to deliverjust the mandate she was elected to deliver just a the mandate she was elected to deliverjust a month ago. the decision came after meeting with sir graham brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench mps amid a sense of exasperation and annoyance amongst tory mps after a quite chaotic night last night in the house of commons. labour leader sir keir starmer has today demanded a general election but sir graham brady says the next few days, the conservative party will take time to consider but a new leader will be in place by next friday, so a heavily

truncated leadership election. you imagine over the next few days the runners and riders will appear and we'll be in for quite a roller—coaster ride in westminster in the coming week. but it has been a turbulent time in british politics over the last few weeks. liz truss becoming the shortest serving british prime minister, serving for just 45 days. this is the statement she gave after the meeting with sir graham brady in which she admitted she could no longer fulfil the job she could no longer fulfil the job she had been elected to do. i came into office at a time of great economic and international instability. families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills. putin's illegal war in ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent and our country has been held back for too long by low economic growth. i was elected by the conservative

party with a mandate to change this. we delivered on energy bills and on cutting national insurance. and we set out our vision for a low tax, high growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of brexit. i recognise, though, given the situation, i cannot deliver the mandate on which i was elected by the conservative party. i have therefore spoken to his majesty the king to notify him that i am resigning as leader of the conservative party. this morning i met the chairman of the 1922 committee, sir graham brady. we have agreed there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week. this will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country's economic stability and national security.

i will remain as prime minister until a successor has been chosen. thank you. a very short statement, liz truss not staying to answer any questions from the journalists here and i not staying to answer any questions from thejournalists here and i can tell you here in downing street the world's media has gathered for an extraordinary event at the end of an extraordinary event at the end of an extraordinary a few days. our political correspondent alex forsyth is with me but i texted a producer this morning who said it a period of relative calm after the events of last night and i said we might be in the eye of the storm and the turbulence might be coming and that's how it proved. there was an inevitability about it in the end. that's right, there was, the trajectory of the process with tory mps who were deeply unhappy after the mini budget, that was exacerbated by the scenes in parliament last night over the fracking vote when mps were confused over what they were doing with no leadership or authority and this morning when i was talking to

conservative mps, they said it was a matter of when not if liz truss goes. but the speed at which it happened today took some by surprise because we had graham brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee, going into downing street and we are told that was at the request of the prime minister as she wanted to get a measure of the mood of the party and not long afterwards we had the elector and coming out in downing street and we both know that when that happens, that is a significant moment. but until liz truss uttering those words, people were still speculative about whether she might try to hold on or what she might say to the country. in truth, given the magnitude of the events and the size of the u—turns of her government, the fact she had to row back on what she effectively stood for, there was an inevitability that it would come to this point, but it has happened pretty quickly. to to this point, but it has happened pretty quickly-— pretty quickly. to put that into perspective — pretty quickly. to put that into perspective poor— pretty quickly. to put that into perspective poor people - pretty quickly. to put that into perspective poor people at - pretty quickly. to put that into . perspective poor people at home, pretty quickly. to put that into - perspective poor people at home, for so graham brady to come here and give her the mood of the party,

ordinarily, if they were going to challenge a leader, there would need to be 15% of conservative mps putting in a letter —— for people at home. he made it clear it would need to be somewhere near half of the party so we are talking about a catastrophic collapse of confidence in the prime minister within the conservative parliamentary party. i think that sums it up and remember, we are in a slightly different position because under the rules of the conservative party, mps could not challenge liz truss for her first year in office and that's why the normal rules, whereby you require 15% of mps to put in a letter of no confidence in a contest is triggered, that's not the case right now because we are in that holding period in herfirst12 months. i think that's why graham brady wanted to get a sense that the majority of the party had lost support for liz truss. i think for him to have said that to her, the conversation must have been frank and it's important to say we are speculating, we don't know exactly what was said behind that door but clearly the message was conveyed

that the confidence of the party was not there and that's why liz truss took the decision she did. remember it was only yesterday she was at the dispatch box in parliament during pmqs saying she's a fighter not a quitter and look how things have unravelled. there was a sense she did 0kish given the circumstances at pmqs and there was a resignation of the home secretary, the chaos of the vote in parliament and the sense authority was ebbing away and a lot of mps were saying to me that the game was up and we need to know how and when the next steps are and that happened today at half past one when she called time on her own premiership. she called time on her own premiership-— she called time on her own --remiershi. :, . :, i. ~' premiership. how much do you think the events yesterday _ premiership. how much do you think the events yesterday and _ premiership. how much do you think the events yesterday and the - the events yesterday and the resignation of then home secretary suella braverman was a factor? clearly she was from the right of the party, she had alreadyjumped the party, she had alreadyjumped the mini budget which appealed to the mini budget which appealed to the right of the party and one of their own walks out of downing street after, according to the papers, a 19 minute row so how much

is that a factor in what has gone on today? fit. is that a factor in what has gone on toda ? : :, is that a factor in what has gone on toda ?: :, , :, ., is that a factor in what has gone on toda ?: :, :, ., , ., :, today? a real blast of a resignation letter, she basically _ today? a real blast of a resignation letter, she basically said _ today? a real blast of a resignation letter, she basically said she - today? a real blast of a resignation letter, she basically said she did i letter, she basically said she did not agree with the direction of the government and the blood to own their mistakes but i think that laid bare the challenge confronting liz truss and that is that she alienate a from across the conservative party —— and they had to own their mistakes. the mini budget aggravated a lot of the one nation centre ground tories who thought she'd gone too fast and too far, and yesterday suella braverman made clear that actually the right of the party were pretty angry with liz truss's about turn so she was in the position where she could not really look to any corner of the conservative party for support. add on what happened in parliament when mps were furious because they thought they were going through the voting lobbies and did not know what they were doing, there was no control or authority, a period when the government could not tell us if the chief whip was doing herjob and it led mp to conclude

this was a government without direction or authority who could not command the support of the party and that's ultimately why she took the decision. i that's ultimately why she took the decision. :, :, ., ,, ., ., decision. i want to talk about what ha--ens decision. i want to talk about what happens from _ decision. i want to talk about what happens from here _ decision. i want to talk about what happens from here but _ decision. i want to talk about what happens from here but before - decision. i want to talk about what | happens from here but before that, we can listen to sir graham brady koh tao, for the second time in the last three orfour koh tao, for the second time in the last three or four months, has to put a leadership contest together and get it at the way quickly restore order. good afternoon, i just good afternoon, ijust want good afternoon, i just want to confirm i will be meeting with the offices of the 22 and executive later and we also have a meeting of the conservative party board. i have spoken to the party chairman, jake berry, and he has confirmed that it will be possible to conduct a ballot and conclude a leadership election by friday the 28th of october. so we should have a new leader in place

before the fiscal statement which will take place on the sist. i will be able to give you more details later this afternoon. itruiiiiii be able to give you more details later this afternoon. will members be included _ later this afternoon. will members be included in _ later this afternoon. will members be included in the _ later this afternoon. will members be included in the process? - later this afternoon. will members be included in the process? that's| be included in the process? that's the expectation. _ be included in the process? that's the expectation. the _ be included in the process? that's the expectation. the reason - be included in the process? that's the expectation. the reason i- be included in the process? that's| the expectation. the reason i have spoken to the party chairman and discussed the parameters of a process is to look at how we can make the whole thing happen, including the party being consulted, by next friday. do you accept that this is a complete dog's dinner? it's certainly not a circumstance i would wish to see. sir graham, will you have to make a threshold for nominations really high in order to flush out candidates? you just can't waste time on this now, can you? these are details that will be clear later on. i haven't got any more detail to share with you now but there will be some clarity... how disappointed are you, just one more question, how disappointed are you in this? this is the fourth... third prime minister in four months. the public must be looking

at this and thinking, what on earth is going on? this is the governing party... absolutely, and i think we are deeply conscious of the imperative in the national interest of resolving this clearly and quickly. should there notjust be a general election, sir graham? how can you continue...? clearly that isn't the matter. will there definitely be two candidates moving forward to membership? the party rules say there will be two candidates unless there's only one candidate. so if somebody drops out, it could only be one? if there's only one candidate, there is only one candidate. that is... i really can't give you more detail. whose idea was it to have this. contest truncated to one week? was it liz truss's idea i or was it your proposal? i think it's a matter on which there is a pretty broad consensus. thank you. sirgraham sir graham brady, the chair of the 1922 committee, and that appearance begs an awful lot of questions put

to this is starting to shape up like a conclave, they will go into one room, egos will be put to one side and they will have to gather behind and they will have to gather behind a unity candidate how'd you do that in the space of a week and also involve the members of the party? that's the key question. remember, part of the reason some conservative mps who wanted liz truss to go stay their hand was because they were conscious there was not an obvious candidate the party could rally around and that's why a lot were saying, you know, even if we don't like liz truss, we don't know who can unite the party and we are already seeing that play out point thought of the process, you heard graham brady saying that they hope there is a prime minister in place by the end of next week but he also made clear that if there was more than one candidate at the end of the mps' voting process they could potentially be an involvement from the party membership so there is a prime minister in place by the end of next week but he also made clear that if there was more than one candidate at the end of the mps' voting process they could potentially be an involvement from the party membership so there's still a lack of clarity in the 1922

committee are talking about that. what we know is the first stage will be mps trying to whittle down who are better as the hat in the ring to one or two candidates and then there will be a decision about whether there is involvement from party members. but look already, you have groups of mps roaming in behind different people and this is in hours of liz truss going so people are declaring for rishi sunak, penny mordaunt, people suggesting boris johnson should make a comeback and that would be the right thing to do. none of the candidates who might put their names on hat have confirmed, a couple have ruled themselves out, jeremy hunt who of course took over as chancellor and foreign secretary james cleverly is that they will not stand but the jostling we are seeing so quickly proves it will be pretty hard for the party to just come in behind somebody easily and this could be quite a fractious and difficult process for them. we will come to candidates _ difficult process for them. we will come to candidates in _ difficult process for them. we will come to candidates in a second i difficult process for them. we will. come to candidates in a second but there are two issues with what you're saying. firstly, the basis for not calling a general election which of course labour and all the opposition parties want, is it would plunge us into more uncertainty but if you have to go back to members, the country, and we go through the

rigmarole we have been through this summer, that argument. that. rigmarole we have been through this summer, thatargument. that. i rigmarole we have been through this summer, that argument.— summer, that argument. at. i think there is no — summer, that argument. at. ! think there is no upper— summer, that argument. at. i think there is no upper site _ summer, that argument. at. i think there is no upper site for _ summer, that argument. at. i think there is no upper site for some - summer, that argument. at. i think there is no upper site for some sort| there is no upper site for some sort of prolonged hustings and debate around the country, no appetite among any mp i've spoken to for that process. i spent a lot of time talking to tory party members who are conscious they don't want a prolonged contest. the question is more that if the mp5 cannot settle on one candidate, and there are two at the end of the process, it's perhaps a short process whereby it is put to the members for some kind of vote or ratification. that is what the 1922 committee has to try to result but clearly, everyone you speak to recognises that something akin to what we had in the summer when there was a gulf of government for those months when liz truss and rishi sunak were touring the country pitching to party members, they don't want that to happen again and we have to remember the economic context. we are in times when people are struggling to afford the basic cost of living and there is a recognition at every level of the conservative party of how it would look if they were to frankly indulge

in another prolonged contest so i don't think it will happen. the question is whether mps between them can agree on who they want as a candidate i think at the very early stages, that will be quite difficult. :, ~ stages, that will be quite difficult. :, ,, , ., difficult. talking runners and riders and — difficult. talking runners and riders and the _ difficult. talking runners and riders and the pluses - difficult. talking runners and riders and the pluses and - difficult. talking runners and - riders and the pluses and minuses they might bring or might be viewed within the party. of course there is rishi sunak who finished second to liz truss a few weeks ago. there is a suella braverman, who resigned yesterday. penny mordaunt who came close in the leadership contest and kemi badenoch and then resting on his cloud summer on a beach, boris johnson who says he is taking soundings and wants to run in the leadership. where do you see the positives and negatives in that list? ~ positives and negatives in that list? ,, ., positives and negatives in that list? ~ :, ~ , ., positives and negatives in that list? ~ :, ~ :, :, positives and negatives in that list? ~ :, ~ , ., :, :, , list? think what mps are going to be weiauhin list? think what mps are going to be weighing up. — list? think what mps are going to be weighing up. the _ list? think what mps are going to be weighing up. the key _ list? think what mps are going to be weighing up, the key point _ list? think what mps are going to be weighing up, the key point is - weighing up, the key point is somebody you can unite behind because half of the problem with liz truss's premiership is she did not bring the party with that's why we saw the fallout of the last three weeks. id logically, she set her

store quite clearly and a lot of people did not agree with that —— idea logically. someone who can unite the party but we know this is a party that has had deep ideological fissures for some time so the idea they can somehow put those aside and come back together might be what some people want but it's harder to achieve. at the other thing to think about is experience. it's a big job, we have just seen liz truss be the shortest lived prime minister, 45 days in office, the magnitude of thejob right now and the economic context is enormous so i think mps are already having conversations about whether there is enough experience to take the party and the country and the reins of government right now. rishi sunak was a former chancellor of course, penny mordaunt spent time in government, kemi borden back —— kemi badenoch is in the cabinet, is of was home secretary, borisjohnson was prime minister so that's another consideration but what we will see play out in a short and heated period of time in the tory party are

the conversations if they can bring the conversations if they can bring the party together and if they can govern i think the answers are both pretty hard. find govern i think the answers are both pretty hard-— govern i think the answers are both pretty hard. and the opposition will look at the event _ pretty hard. and the opposition will look at the event of _ pretty hard. and the opposition will look at the event of the _ pretty hard. and the opposition will look at the event of the last - pretty hard. and the opposition will look at the event of the last week i look at the event of the last week orso look at the event of the last week or so and ask how we can add any guarantee that any prime minister will control the confidence that a very splinted and fractured conservative party. we can hear from labour leader sir keir starmer who is pushing for a general election. well, what a mess. and this is notjust a soap opera at the top of the tory party. it's doing huge damage to our economy and to the reputation of our country. and the public are paying with higher prices, with higher mortgages. so we can't have a revolving door of chaos. we can't have another experiment at the top of the tory party. there is an alternative and that's a stable labour government and the public are entitled to have their say and that's why there should be a general election. some sympathy for liz truss, her time in office, pretty humiliating. the damage that has been inflicted on the public through higher prices and mortgages is considerable. this is not a soap opera.

these are real lives that are being impacted by the mess at the top of the tory party. we've had this revolving door. we've had these experiments at the top of the tory party. the public are entitled to choose between this utter chaos and a labour party which will stabilize the economy and have got a clear plan for growth, for living standards and forjobs of the future. we need a general election so the public can make their mind up about this utter chaos. isn't there an argument that a general election might actually prolong the instability to an outcome of that general election? do we need more instability now orjust a chance for a clean slate and just to stabilise the ship? the risk at the moment is continuing with this chaos, not having a stable labour government. so that's why there should be a general election. we can'tjust allow the tory party to keep putting up the next candidate in the middle of this chaos. there is a choice. there's a labour party that's capable of stabilising. the economy has a clear

plan and the public are entitled to choose between that stable labour government and this utter chaos of the conservatives. are you ready for government? this is not the context you would have wanted to take over. we are ready to form a government, to stabilise the economy and implement a real plan for growth, for living standards to help people through a cost of living crisis. and that's the choice now. a stable labour government or this utter chaos from the conservatives? sir keir starmer giving his reaction to events in downing street a short time ago. we can hearfrom the first minister, nicola sturgeon. this time ago. we can hear from the first minister, nicola sturgeon.— minister, nicola sturgeon. this is an almighty _ minister, nicola sturgeon. this is an almighty mess _ minister, nicola sturgeon. this is an almighty mess and _ minister, nicola sturgeon. this is an almighty mess and it - minister, nicola sturgeon. this is an almighty mess and it is - minister, nicola sturgeon. this is| an almighty mess and it is people the length and breadth of uk who are the length and breadth of uk who are the price of it. i think liz truss's early resignation as prime minister was probably inevitable the moment she walked into downing street but liz truss is not the problem here, she is the symptom of a much more fundamental problem, a broken tory

party, certainly, but also broken uk political system opened what needs to happen now? on a uk level, there must be a general election. it's a democratic necessity. the idea that the tories can unite behind a prime minister now, any prime minister, let alone one that is in the public interest, i think is for the birds. but fundamentally, the uk now needs to have a democratic choice over its next prime minister. there are even a ludicrous suggestions this afternoon that borisjohnson might make a comeback. that is what needs to happen immediately. for scotland, it does not solve the fundamental problem because scotland's folks don't determine the outcome of uk general elections so as long as we are part of the westminster system, we will always be vulnerable to getting prime ministers we don't vote for policies we don't support and do real damage to the country —— scotland's votes point of the only

way we get prime list is a greater number of us vote for is to be independent and the democratic case for independence is going literally with every hour that passes. that was nicola _ with every hour that passes. that was nicola sturgeon _ with every hour that passes. that was nicola sturgeon speaking a short time ago. this afternoon by colleague annita mcveigh has spoken to ed davey, leader of the liberal democrat party and this is what he said. liz democrat party and this is what he said. , , ., , : , said. liz truss trashed the british economy with _ said. liz truss trashed the british economy with her _ said. liz truss trashed the british economy with her unfunded - said. liz truss trashed the british economy with her unfunded tax l said. liz truss trashed the british i economy with her unfunded tax cuts and before her, borisjohnson failed the country with his dishonesty and lawbreaking. the tories have shown they are incapable of providing the leadership, they're not fit to govern our country we don't need another conservative prime minister. they need to go. we need another general election and conservative mps have to do their patriotic duty and vote for that. "fet mps have to do their patriotic duty and vote for that.— and vote for that. yet there is no mechanism _ and vote for that. yet there is no mechanism to _ and vote for that. yet there is no mechanism to lead _ and vote for that. yet there is no mechanism to lead to _ and vote for that. yet there is no mechanism to lead to a - and vote for that. yet there is no mechanism to lead to a general. mechanism to lead to a general election at this point so what is the strategy for the lib dems? brute the strategy for the lib dems? we call on the strategy for the lib dems? 9 call on conservative mps to do their patriotic duty printer if they fail

to do that, i think their constituents will note. i think there's a big movement in the country for a general election and liberal democrats want to put forward our positive agenda. we called over a year ago for a windfall tax on the oil and gas companies so we could fund responsibly the help for people with energy bills and if they had followed that policy, we would not be in the mess now, mortgage rates will not be as high as they are now. lib dems want a chance to put our positive policies to the british people and we want the conservatives out of government. what people and we want the conservatives out of government.— out of government. what is your reaction to _ out of government. what is your reaction to the _ out of government. what is your reaction to the speculation - out of government. what is your reaction to the speculation in . out of government. what is your| reaction to the speculation in the times that borisjohnson is taking soundings about whether to throw his hat in the ring? we soundings about whether to throw his hat in the ring?— hat in the ring? we don't want any conservative _ hat in the ring? we don't want any conservative prime _ hat in the ring? we don't want any conservative prime minister - hat in the ring? we don't want any conservative prime minister to - hat in the ring? we don't want anyj conservative prime minister to win an election i can't believe boris johnson will even bring himself forward out still an inquiry into whether he misled parliament and the whole reddish people know he was dishonest, did not follow his own rules and rugby a lot —— british people. it would be quite outrageous

if tory mps allowed him back. fin people. it would be quite outrageous if tory mps allowed him back. on who else miaht if tory mps allowed him back. on who else might stand, _ if tory mps allowed him back. on who else might stand, where _ if tory mps allowed him back. on who else might stand, where hearing - if tory mps allowed him back. on who else might stand, where hearing from the telegraph, they report that rishi sunak is certain to stand for the leadership according to close allies, senior mp allies of the former chancellor. there is a bit of a sliding door is a rationale for him, he can come and say i told you this is what would happen if liz truss was elected and she tried to implement these economic policies. at the bbc we are trying to confirm this with rishi sunak but the daily telegraph is reporting he is certain to stand so he will say to mp5, you should have listened, we would not be in this position so how strong is his chance to become the next leader? , _, , his chance to become the next leader? , , , leader? his record is poor, as is all the conservatives _ leader? his record is poor, as is all the conservatives a - . rishi sunak�*s policies were disastrous and failed to get people to help for their energy bills. they did not tackle inflation and did not

produce growth. so wherever you look amongst the conservative party, they don't have the people to help people who are struggling with mortgage bills. he who are struggling with mortgage bills. ., , �* who are struggling with mortgage bills. :, , �* :, :, bills. he wasn't going for the tax-cutting _ bills. he wasn't going for the tax-cutting policies - bills. he wasn't going for the tax-cutting policies that - bills. he wasn't going for the tax-cutting policies that liz i bills. he wasn't going for the - tax-cutting policies that liz truss tax—cutting policies that liz truss was, was he? he tax-cutting policies that liz truss was. was he?— was, was he? he wasn't helping --eole was, was he? he wasn't helping people with _ was, was he? he wasn't helping people with their _ was, was he? he wasn't helping people with their energy - was, was he? he wasn't helping people with their energy bills i was, was he? he wasn't helping. people with their energy bills and frankly, there is such a divided party, many people dislike rishi sunak because of what he did with borisjohnson. they sunak because of what he did with boris johnson. they are fighting each other. of the country needs stability. we need a political party in government that can give strong leadership. the political instability and divided party which is the conservative party is not fit to govern the country. they have to go and just moving chairs on the titanic with one failed conservative mp after another isn't what the country needs. we are in a real mess and there's a huge challenge, millions of people are struggling, families and pensioners, they need help and with this political instability and divided conservative party they will not get it from this

lot. ed party they will not get it from this lot. , :, , ., lot. ed davey from the liberal democrat _ lot. ed davey from the liberal democrat party _ lot. ed davey from the liberal democrat party reflecting, i i lot. ed davey from the liberal i democrat party reflecting, i could sense a mood that is felt among many around the country after the events of the last week. i was looking back in the short history of downing street, since the sum of 2007, we have had six prime ministers walk through that door —— since the summer. going back to between 1979 and 2007 28 years, only three people held back top job so it shows how much churn there has in downing street in the last 15 years or so. you would think, given the conservatives have a parliamentary majority of 70 or so, it would be a bit like turkeys voting for christmas for tory mps to choose to go to the country right now but in fact, the conservative mp mark tania, who is from hereford and worcester, has spoken to his local radio station and he says there

should be a general election in relatively short order and the public would be rightly furious if the conservative party laid it as they could over the course of the next two years —— mark garnier. he first said about how much damage liz truss had done to the standing of the country over the last month. it has been simply breathtakingly damaging, it's absolutely astonishing. if you think with boris when he left we were five or six points behind in the polls, the latest one has us —36 which is astonishing. if we had an election tomorrow, there would not be a single conservative member of parliament left and bear in mind, politics is a tough game but the conservative party is the most successful political party there has ever been in the history of politics in the world. it has been astonishingly successful and she's done an immense amount of damage to it. : , :, .,

it. and you said it there, that if ou had it. and you said it there, that if you had a _ it. and you said it there, that if you had a general— it. and you said it there, that if you had a general election i it. and you said it there, that if i you had a general election tomorrow, there _ you had a general election tomorrow, there would _ you had a general election tomorrow, there would not be a conservative mp left. there would not be a conservative mp left as _ there would not be a conservative mp left as we _ there would not be a conservative mp left. as we heard with our political reporter, — left. as we heard with our political reporter, james, we did not get to choose _ reporter, james, we did not get to choose the — reporter, james, we did not get to choose the last one, we will not get to choose _ choose the last one, we will not get to choose this one as a voting nation. morally, why should there not be _ nation. morally, why should there not be a general election? isn't it time? _ not be a general election? isn't it time? , , , ., ~ time? yes, i completely agree. at the end of— time? yes, i completely agree. at the end of the _ time? yes, i completely agree. at the end of the day _ time? yes, i completely agree. at the end of the day from _ time? yes, i completely agree. at the end of the day from the i the end of the day from the constitution does not require it but your point about it being morally or ethically the right thing to do... i was ask this earlier this week and i said i agreed with the principle we should the new prime minister reasonably in short order rather than potentially wait untiljanuary 25. people would be rightly furious. i will caveat that comment with an important point which is that it would be very unhealthy general election if you were to have one of the major protagonists, killy the

party in government at the time, being in complete disarray —— particularly party in government. democracy requires there to be viable choices. if we had an election to date with no leader, it would not be a viable choice so i think what we would ask is a bit of time to get ourselves into a general election order, and then go to the country. but i completely agree, i think people would be rightly furious if we delete this unnecessarily before having an election. ~ unnecessarily before having an election. ,, ,, .,~ ., election. mark garnier speaking to the bbc earlier, _ election. mark garnier speaking to the bbc earlier, reflecting - election. mark garnier speaking to the bbc earlier, reflecting some i election. mark garnier speaking to | the bbc earlier, reflecting some of the bbc earlier, reflecting some of the thoughts we heard from conservative mp charles walker last night in the house of commons. alex forsyth is still with us. he's right, constitutionally there is no requirement for a party with a thumping majority to go to the country right now but morally speaking, after all the turbulence of the last few weeks, the country, many people in the country will

expect it and it might punish the conservatives somewhere down the line if they are the night it. i think that's right and there are people like mark garnier who quietly share that view within the conservative party. there are people with deep frustration and anger about what has happened within the conservative party, i'm talking about tory mps but remember that the polls at the moment put the tories way behind labour. and we always caveat the polls saying you need to take them with a pinch of salt and they'd been wrong in the past but we had a poll after poll suggesting labour is way out in front. and the only mechanism by which labour, which wants a general election, as to the lib dems, the only way they can get it is if conservative mps support the idea and effectively vote for it. you are saying to conservative mps, vote for a general election in which you might well lose your seat and that is where the mindset of some tory mps lose your seat and that is where the mindset of some tory mp5 is right now. some of them are saying they should be able to put a new leader in place and try to achieve some stability, let the next two years run because of course still 2024 is

the predicted date, expected date of the predicted date, expected date of the next election so let's see if we can pull it back. the argument against that is the ultimate sir keir starmer and ed davey made, but you keep changing lead at the top of the party, it has a consequence for the party, it has a consequence for the country so at what point does the country so at what point does the country so at what point does the country have a say? ii the country so at what point does the country have a say?— the country have a say? if you translate _ the country have a say? if you translate those _ the country have a say? if you translate those polls - the country have a say? if you translate those polls into i the country have a say? if you| translate those polls into seats lost, it is a thumping landslide for labour. if you cut a 20% swing to a 10% or even 5% swing over the next 18 months or two years, it becomes a different picture so you can see the sort of equations and maths the tory mps might be framing up. can we talk about, if we extend the metaphor i used earlier, the hurricane blowing through him in the last week, it will need to be a very strong prime minister to navigate this party through the things that are coming up. you think about the state of economy and the cost of living the energy crisis we will face again in

april, about the issues with northern ireland and how that splits the party, the issue of migration which is crucial to the 0br's calculation is and how the economy grows in the coming months, those are all issues that layout the division in the tory party so is that one of the candidates you talked about earlier you can see might be able to pull left and right together to steer through those waters? :, �* ,:, together to steer through those waters? :, �* 9 :, waters? you're so right. whoever wins this leadership _ waters? you're so right. whoever wins this leadership contest, i waters? you're so right. whoever wins this leadership contest, and | wins this leadership contest, and somebody ultimately will become prime minister, faces a extremely set of circumstances to grapple with. some people have said it would take a strong government to manage this at the best of times, let alone a government that has been in power for 12 years which will now be on its third prime minister within a matter of months. third prime minister this year. i think it's an enormous challenge for whoever takes it on and that's why conservative mps will find it so difficult to find a candidate they can swing behind because some of the issues you talked about, immigration,

economy, they have been laid bare, the divisions deep within the tory party come over the last few years and people hold those views deeply so for them to set them aside will be difficult. one of the mp5 that came out this morning calling for liz truss to go before she did said that they would need the angel gabriel to take over the party and even then it would need an enormous amount of loyalty and discipline from the parliamentary party to swing behind whoever that was. i think that's the challenge facing them. when you look at the candidates at the moment, there is not an obvious one could speak to every part of the parliamentary party and bring them together. that person does not exist and for example, some people suggesting there might be a comeback from boris johnson who said to be thinking it through that would of course alienate huge numbers of the tory party because it was only a few months ago that they booted him out so wherever you turn, you come back to the point there is a divided and fractious party but it seems quite hard to imagine they will be able to pull themselves back together quickly and swing beside somebody.

that's what people say they need but whether they can do that is another question. maybe that will be taken into consideration when they are choosing the next leader. let's go down to the next leader. let's go down to the house of commons. jonathan blake is down there and has been assessing the mood and reaction. i don't know if you were listening to alex there but clearly, there are going to have to be decisions taken by conservative mps in short order. do you feel from people you've spoken to today that they are rallying behind one or two candidates or is it going to be a lot wilder than that? :, , :, ., it going to be a lot wilder than that? ., , ., ., , that? no me this time on a thursday afternoon you _ that? no me this time on a thursday afternoon you would _ that? no me this time on a thursday afternoon you would not _ that? no me this time on a thursday afternoon you would not expect i that? no me this time on a thursday afternoon you would not expect too i afternoon you would not expect too many mps all heading back to their constituencies with parliamentary business tied up for the week but there are some supporters of the

various names who have been taking over from various names who have been taking overfrom liz various names who have been taking over from liz truss who was circling here in central lobby, starting to mount unofficial campaigns because, although liz truss has effectively triggered the contest to take over from her with that statement outside downing street earlier on this afternoon, we don't exact rules of timeframe, whether it will be just mps timeframe, whether it will be just mp5 or party members as well who will get a vote but, as i speak, we can now speak to one of the mp5 who i believe is backing rishi sunak who of course finished behind liz truss in the contestjust a few of course finished behind liz truss in the contest just a few weeks of course finished behind liz truss in the contestjust a few weeks ago. firstly, your reaction to liz truss's statement earlier today? for those personally this must've been a very difficult decision for tibetan and bakken leadership but i was delighted when she made me a pps in the department of international trade _ the department of international trade afterwards. must be really tough _ trade afterwards. must be really tough for— trade afterwards. must be really tough for her and my thoughts, you

know, _ tough for her and my thoughts, you know. over— tough for her and my thoughts, you know, over the with her and her family— know, over the with her and her family at— know, over the with her and her family at what must be been a bruising — family at what must be been a bruising time. the important thing is now— bruising time. the important thing is now we've got the country continuing. got to have economic competence at the heart of whatever comes _ competence at the heart of whatever comes next. that is what is really important — comes next. that is what is really important and also, you know, you can: _ important and also, you know, you can, collected reader. every do think— can, collected reader. every do thinkat— can, collected reader. every do think at this moment in time in particular. _ think at this moment in time in particular, all the volatility we are seeing internationally, particularly following russia's illegal — particularly following russia's illegal invasion of ukraine really affecting gas prices, we need some news _ affecting gas prices, we need some news had _ affecting gas prices, we need some news had a — affecting gas prices, we need some news had a senior position for a number— news had a senior position for a number of— news had a senior position for a number of time and who can deliver economic— number of time and who can deliver economic competence. for every 1% that we — economic competence. for every 1% that we have to pay extra on the uk's _ that we have to pay extra on the uk's debt, — that we have to pay extra on the uk's debt, that is £20 billion a year _ uk's debt, that is £20 billion a year that _ uk's debt, that is £20 billion a year. that is 4p uk's debt, that is £20 billion a year. that is tip in the basic rate 'ust year. that is tip in the basic rate just to _ year. that is 4p in the basic rate just to cover— year. that is tip in the basic rate just to cover debt interest and we need _ just to cover debt interest and we need somebody who can keep that down so we can— need somebody who can keep that down so we can keep taxes down and inflation — so we can keep taxes down and inflation down for the people of this country. inflation down for the people of this country-— this country. many of your colleagues _ this country. many of your colleagues had _ this country. many of your colleagues had not - this country. many of your colleagues had not i i this country. many of your colleagues had not i may. this country. many of your i colleagues had not i may not this country. many of your - colleagues had not i may not forgive rishi sunak for colleagues had not i may not forgive rishi sunakfor resigning colleagues had not i may not forgive rishi sunak for resigning from the

cabinet which triggered boris johnson's eventual downfall, even though he finished second in the leadership contest people are talking about unity. the party so divided. is he really the man? can he really bring all sides of the conservative party together? about unitina conservative party together? about uniting behind _ conservative party together? about uniting behind a _ conservative party together? about uniting behind a new— conservative party together? about uniting behind a new leader. i conservative party together? about uniting behind a new leader. the truth _ uniting behind a new leader. the truth is _ uniting behind a new leader. the truth is that penny resigned, bcc nak resigned, my constituents are interested — nak resigned, my constituents are interested in who is interested and who has— interested in who is interested and who has got the economic competence. they know— who has got the economic competence. they know that rishi zuniga back then before during the pandemic with things— then before during the pandemic with things like _ then before during the pandemic with things like furloughs and support for small— things like furloughs and support for small businesses, they know he will do _ for small businesses, they know he will do the — for small businesses, they know he will do the same again and they also want that— will do the same again and they also want that sensible economic plan which _ want that sensible economic plan which means that britain is not paying — which means that britain is not paying any more than it absolutely needs— paying any more than it absolutely needs to _ paying any more than it absolutely needs to in terms of pain that interest— needs to in terms of pain that interest on our national debt. interest — interest on our national debt. interest rates will not rise any further — interest rates will not rise any further than they absolutely have two and — further than they absolutely have two and he has that man.- further than they absolutely have two and he has that man. should he aet a fresh two and he has that man. should he get a fresh mandate _ two and he has that man. should he get a fresh mandate from _ get a fresh mandate from conservative party members as well as mps? we don't know they will be

involved in this week—long contest. their rules are being set by the 1922— their rules are being set by the 1922 executive. i used to be on that in a 1922 executive. ! used to be on that in a previous— 1922 executive. i used to be on that in a previous life as an mp and i'm sure— in a previous life as an mp and i'm sure they— in a previous life as an mp and i'm sure they will come to a sensible decision — sure they will come to a sensible decision. they have the best interest— decision. they have the best interest of the conservative party at heart — interest of the conservative party at heart. they are the custodians of the conservative party in parliament and l'm _ the conservative party in parliament and l'm sure — the conservative party in parliament and i'm sure they will come to a sensible — and i'm sure they will come to a sensible decision as to the rules. what _ sensible decision as to the rules. what about a general election? surely he will need a new mandate from the country to go ahead. surely that would draw a line, winter? you are confusing _ that would draw a line, winter? you are confusing british politics with venture _ are confusing british politics with venture american politics. the mandate — venture american politics. the mandate is individual mps under party— mandate is individual mps under party banner. mandate is individual mps under party banner-— mandate is individual mps under party banner. even if you change prime minister _ party banner. even if you change prime minister to _ party banner. even if you change prime minister to three - party banner. even if you change prime minister to three times i party banner. even if you change i prime minister to three times with another term? prime minister to three times with another term ?_ another term? people vote for an individual in _ another term? people vote for an individual in this _ another term? people vote for an individual in this country. - another term? people vote for an individual in this country. other. individual in this country. other editors— individual in this country. other editors will send to callaghan, blair— editors will send to callaghan, blair to— editors will send to callaghan, blair to brown, thatcher two... we are not blair to brown, thatcher two... are not used to blair to brown, thatcher two... 9 are not used to these constant changes of prime minister. the labour government before, mrs

thatcher — labour government before, mrs thatcher changing to john major. they _ thatcher changing to john major. they are — thatcher changing to john major. they are to brown. cameron two may. this is— they are to brown. cameron two may. this is a _ they are to brown. cameron two may. this is a parliamentary system. this is the _ this is a parliamentary system. this is the system we have in the uk. all is the system we have in the uk. functioning is the system we have in the uk. rii functioning normally? is the system we have in the uk. all functioning normally? you - is the system we have in the uk. all functioning normally? you can i is the system we have in the uk. all functioning normally? you can see i functioning normally? you can see the system — functioning normally? you can see the system works. _ functioning normally? you can see the system works. we _ functioning normally? you can see the system works. we are - functioning normally? you can see the system works. we are here. i the system works. we are here. youtl— the system works. we are here. you'll have _ the system works. we are here. you'll have a government in place next _ you'll have a government in place next week— you'll have a government in place next week the new prime minister who will be _ next week the new prime minister who will be reading that government and i'm will be reading that government and l'm really— will be reading that government and i'm really hopeful that what we need to see _ i'm really hopeful that what we need to see is _ i'm really hopeful that what we need to see is a _ i'm really hopeful that what we need to see is a really broad cabinet and a broad _ to see is a really broad cabinet and a broad junior ministerial team as well reading that broad conservative party _ well reading that broad conservative party a _ well reading that broad conservative party. a party which represents or parts _ party. a party which represents or parts of _ party. a party which represents or parts of the — party. a party which represents or parts of the country which is unlike any other— parts of the country which is unlike any other in— parts of the country which is unlike any other in parliament at the moment _ any other in parliament at the moment. we represent all parts of the country— moment. we represent all parts of the country and have a every way and that was _ the country and have a every way and that was need to be reflected in whatever— that was need to be reflected in whatever government is formed. if not whatever government is formed. not bcc nak whatever government is formed. if not bcc nak then who? i will i whatever government is formed. if not bcc nak then who? i will be i not bcc nak then who? i will be backin: not bcc nak then who? i will be backing him _ not bcc nak then who? i will be backing him all _ not bcc nak then who? i will be backing him all the _ not bcc nak then who? i will be backing him all the way - not bcc nak then who? i will be backing him all the way and i not bcc nak then who? i will be i backing him all the way and we'll see how— backing him all the way and we'll see how it— backing him all the way and we'll see how it goes. as with liz, i did not back— see how it goes. as with liz, i did not back her— see how it goes. as with liz, i did not back her but she very kindly made _ not back her but she very kindly made me — not back her but she very kindly made me a _ not back her but she very kindly made me a pps at the department of international trade. what i want to see is— international trade. what i want to see is a _ international trade. what i want to

see is a conservative party delivering. without is a new hospital— delivering. without is a new hospital a better transport infrastructure. and crucially providing economic stability and good _ providing economic stability and good jobs our people.— providing economic stability and good jobs our people. thank you very much forjoining _ good jobs our people. thank you very much forjoining us. _ good jobs our people. thank you very much forjoining us. as _ good jobs our people. thank you very much forjoining us. as you've - good jobs our people. thank you very much forjoining us. as you've heard i much forjoining us. as you've heard very clearly backing rishi sunak as his supporters believe he is the right candidate and can take the party forward and unite the party, they would hope after what has been an incredibly fractious few weeks. thank you. let's get more in the twists and turns. we joined the executive editor of the economist. good to see you. there are a lot of people around the country will be saying today that politics has lost its dignity and when it loses its dignity, politicians lose the trust

of the public and that never ends well, does it?— well, does it? no, ithink that's riaht and well, does it? no, ithink that's right and that's _ well, does it? no, ithink that's right and that's ultimately i well, does it? no, ithink that's right and that's ultimately the l right and that's ultimately the clear question as to why she had to go today put up theirs by saying yesterday this will happen very fast are obviously feeling rather vindicated and be forgotten all the other bits we didn't get right. what happened at exactly that. oh trust and the government was going too fast, the whole lady of let's wait and see in that see what we can pull together does not really apply any more. with got to give it of the person causing most the problem and then you have to try something else. i hesitate to ask this question. what is the legacy of liz truss? i've heard some loyal to her saying it has been to moche us and damaging to pupils pocketbooks and to the british economy but she has opened up british economy but she has opened up a debate that needs to be had about the way we spend money and the way money is raised. a mother

sympathetic on that score but the whole problem is, it an overdose of ideological zeal on top of that unstable situation, you can compare it to someone describing mirror signal manoeuvre in a car. you do it in that order. you don't do without the wave and so i completely understand that and whether it is rishi sunak orjeremy hunt, the present chancellor, he reign, they don't disagree, i think, on growth, on a more focused approach on what the uk needs to face up to and a sort of pragmatism filter by denting the hugely removed from each other but in terms of sequencing, in terms of getting the confidence of people, in terms of keeping their party together at a divisive time under borisjohnson sends back set, all of these things matter. that is the business of politics. it's not about writing a pamphlet about how you might like to see the tax bands.

alex was saying that under boris johnson, some of those breaks that divisions had healed. the party had come together a little bit but i sense over the last few days and weeks, that those breaks that divisions have come back to the fore again. you jeremy hunt is now sitting in there as chancellor from the left of the party. and a very different economic plan to the one that those who support the breaks that those who support the breaks that cause were hoping that liz truss would deliver.— that cause were hoping that liz truss would deliver. youth see, i think that — truss would deliver. youth see, i think that is _ truss would deliver. youth see, i think that is a _ truss would deliver. youth see, i think that is a category _ truss would deliver. youth see, i think that is a category error. - think that is a category error. jeremy hunt has a dry economic outlook. it is a business guy himself. he's not kind of wishy—washy pro—european and nearly labour kind of guy. that is not the case that is got muddled up with the response to the financial crisis, the one we are in now. so, yes, i

understand why you say that because he simply has a different view of how fast to go. he also wanted to cut corporation tax. i don't think we are fighting brexit was over again at all. i think there's a genuine difficulty but i think it can be overcome but i think rishi soon echoes the likely next prime minister assuming we're not going to a general of action for does not look favourable in short order. they were both remain as i think now actually the party has moved on, of course, it is not 2016, it is not... you have to bring back people you had differences but can work together. if you want to go and fight brexit was again then they will just lose and fight brexit was again then they willjust lose and at some point a degree of common sense must break in. can we talk about the

choreography over the next week? soak graham brady is adamant this will be done and dusted by friday which seems extraordinary given the number of candidates who will run. if the candidate was in place for friday, and that is the big if at the moment, that prime minister, the new leader would only have the weekend to get to grips, presumably, with the fiscal statement that is to be put out on the monday. i mean, how tenable is that given that the new prime minister will not be across the detail?— new prime minister will not be across the detail? yes, that seems ambitin- — across the detail? yes, that seems ambitious. two _ across the detail? yes, that seems ambitious. two things _ across the detail? yes, that seems ambitious. two things can - across the detail? yes, that seems ambitious. two things can happen. j ambitious. two things can happen. one, the fiscal statement could move a bit, not very far but a bit. it may be seen at the way you do it, no name don't know, that that is what i would maybe do thinking about the political economy here, you would combine these things, you basically say the fiscal statement is the core of what this new prime minister would be putting up. after all, we

won't be asking about the planned three years down the line,. you could say this is really what it is about. this period of putting forward your fiscal plans. that would be of advantage to those who worked in the treasury but that is perhaps because they are quite well—qualified. you perhaps because they are quite well-qualified.— well-qualified. you move the statement. _ well-qualified. you move the statement. i— well-qualified. you move the statement. i don't _ well-qualified. you move the statement. i don't know - well-qualified. you move the statement. i don't know putl well-qualified. you move the i statement. i don't know put up you'll have to have me back for that. ., ., ., g , , that. you would that jeremy hunt is in a re that. you would that jeremy hunt is in a pretty secure — that. you would that jeremy hunt is in a pretty secure position - that. you would that jeremy hunt is in a pretty secure position given - in a pretty secure position given that we've had three in as many months. ., ~ , ., that we've had three in as many months. ., ~' , ., , that we've had three in as many months. ., ~ , ., , . months. thank you very much indeed for that. months. thank you very much indeed for that- we're _ months. thank you very much indeed for that. we're going _ months. thank you very much indeed for that. we're going to _ months. thank you very much indeed for that. we're going to talk - months. thank you very much indeed for that. we're going to talk very - for that. we're going to talk very shortly about the rules for what will happen in the course of the next week or so but less veritable focus on the us presidentjoe biden who has been giving his thoughts to events today. she who has been giving his thoughts to events today-— who has been giving his thoughts to events toda . ,, ., , ., events today. she was a good partner

in russia and — events today. she was a good partner in russia and ukraine _ events today. she was a good partner in russia and ukraine and _ events today. she was a good partner in russia and ukraine and the - in russia and ukraine and the british are going to solve their problem and she was a good partner. i don't think it is that consequential.- i don't think it is that consequential. i don't think it is that conseauential. , ., �* consequential. joe biden giving initial reaction _ consequential. joe biden giving initial reaction to _ consequential. joe biden giving initial reaction to liz _ consequential. joe biden giving initial reaction to liz truss's - initial reaction to liz truss's resignation today. how is this playing away from westminster? joining is our correspondence. how's it been going down where you are? it was mps it been going down where you are? it was mp5 from it been going down where you are? it was mps from this region who were among the first to call for this trust to resign and this afternoon i have been hearing a range of views. they have talked at their belief, some of them, that liz truss has gone. some have expressed disappointment that she did not live up disappointment that she did not live up to expectations and others have told me about their hope for a general election and a change of government. hat

general election and a change of government.— government. not shocked, unfortunately, _ government. not shocked, unfortunately, but - government. not shocked, - unfortunately, but disappointed. i think_ unfortunately, but disappointed. i think everybody was hoping for a strong _ think everybody was hoping for a strong female leadership and, yeah, it has— strong female leadership and, yeah, it has been_ strong female leadership and, yeah, it has been a disappointment from the beginning, unfortunately. we met were not— the beginning, unfortunately. we met were not surprised. when the conservative members voted they voted _ conservative members voted they voted for — conservative members voted they voted for the one person to be prime ministen _ voted for the one person to be prime minister. the chance of demerging covid _ minister. the chance of demerging covid and — minister. the chance of demerging covid and people trusted him but in the end _ covid and people trusted him but in the end she was too far right—wing, so i was _ the end she was too far right—wing, so i was not — the end she was too far right—wing, so i was not surprised. we the end she was too far right-wing, so i was not surprised. we normally vote conservative, _ so i was not surprised. we normally vote conservative, yeah. _ so i was not surprised. we normally vote conservative, yeah. how- so i was not surprised. we normally vote conservative, yeah. how you l vote conservative, yeah. how you feel about — vote conservative, yeah. how you feel about the _ vote conservative, yeah. how you feel about the situation? - vote conservative, yeah. how you feel about the situation? quite i feel about the situation? quite anno ed feel about the situation? quite annoyed that — feel about the situation? quite annoyed that they'll _ feel about the situation? quite annoyed that they'll thing - feel about the situation? qt ts: annoyed that they'll thing happened. we voted liberal democrat this time. because _ we voted liberal democrat this time. because we are crossed with how things have gone with boris. he resigned and this is what has happened now and we didn't think much when she was elected and i think we were right, to be honest.

and this afternoon, some of the region's mps have been giving their reaction put up among them the south east cornwall conservative mp. she supported liz truss during the leadership election but she was one of the first to tweet that she had written a letter of no confidence to the 1922 committee and this afternoon she has been saying that the reason she did that was because she was angry that liz truss had abandoned the policy platform. another supporter of liz truss in the area, has said it was right for this trust to go because she was unable to deliver her agenda and the southwest devon mp, he was among the first on twitter to say that it was time for there is truss to go and afternoon he said that he will be backing rishi soon acts. it did feel that her position was becoming untenable even among some of her most loyal supporters. thank you very much for that. sebastian has

joined me. presenter of a politics podcast. nice to see you. good to see. podcast. nice to see you. good to see- what — podcast. nice to see you. good to see- what you _ podcast. nice to see you. good to see. what you make _ podcast. nice to see you. good to see. what you make of _ podcast. nice to see you. good to see. what you make of the - podcast. nice to see you. good to| see. what you make of the events podcast. nice to see you. good to i see. what you make of the events of toda ? see. what you make of the events of today? you — see. what you make of the events of today? you are _ see. what you make of the events of today? you are quite _ see. what you make of the events of today? you are quite a _ see. what you make of the events of today? you are quite a day. - see. what you make of the events of today? you are quite a day. the - today? you are quite a day. the story conservative said she had hours left and i did think anyone really thought things would move as quickly as they were but it became clear that what happened in the voting lobbies last night where it was reports of manhandling, swearing, mps falling out, liz truss had lost authority and sir graham brady who is the tory grandee who assaulted the trade union representative of mps, he went to see the prime minister this morning and essentially said what he said johnson and what he said to therese enables months and years ago, if you don't quit will change the rules to heave you out and you can either go the simple way or the hard way and liz truss chose a simple way and thatis liz truss chose a simple way and that is where we are now and were going to get more details in the

coming hours about how the contest is going to run. it's going to be a very quick leadership contest and at the moment, if there is an open field it is very hard to say exactly who is going to triumph because we don't know what it's going to look like but what we do know is it is going to be very quick indeed and we will have a new prime minister in just ten days' time. you always know on the podium comes out here and the partner takes to the step that something dramatic is going to happen. whatever your politics, this is a personal humiliation put up a premiership which is the shortest in british history. she seemed quite stoic when she came out here, i had to say, given the enormity of what she was about to tell the british public. do we know her mood and whether she was expecting sir graham brady to set out what he did today? the mood in downing street has been pretty upset over the past couple of weeks, as you can imagine. and liz truss came in with these huge ambitions to try to reshape the

economy, cut taxes, change public services and get the conservative party back onto winning track because, don't forget, eversince the party gates to scandal, they been behind the labour party in the polls. in fact she came in and made every single thing worse. to me the party's poll rating worse, confidence ratings worse, she has watched huge damage in the british economy, huge damage in the party's reputation on the economy and it is very hard to know who could actually fix that and there is no real two ways about it. she will go down as the shortest lived prime minister in british history but also one of the most calamitous. the one thing she did which was the energy price

guarantee and you had a talk about that at the podium, pretty much any payments would have done that. there's almost no record at all for her to stand on and many conservative mps who say they feel sorry for liz truss that she came in with these big hopes but then many other on the patio sale, well, actually, she brought this on herself. this was her agenda. it was herself. this was her agenda. it was her plan to have unfunded tax cuts. her plan to have a cabinet filled full loyalists so you when you put all that together there is no one except her. yet the press binder and mps behind and the cabinet behind and all that was squandered in an extremely odd 44 days which i don't think anyone will forget very soon. this is all very fascinating to as political watchers and fills column inches on the tittle tattle of what happens in westminster. out there in the real world, in the bedwell seats where you wrote your book and did a lot of research on how the conservatives fared in the bedwell areas, this is real life. we heard last night on the bbc�*s reports from sunderland, people are choosing whether or not to buy butter. that is how serious this is for people out in the country. to get a sense among conservative mps today, is this some humility? because that is what the british public want to see. some humility after the disaster of

the last four or five weeks. you might remember, we have not had a functioning government for six months in this country because the end of borisjohnson premiership is very chaotic. there is no legislation or policies being passed there and then we had this long leadership contest over the summer which turns out was really a waste of time given where we have ended up now plus these 44 days were really not much has happened at all. now, there is something to be said for that energy price guarantee which will try to protect people from the worst of the shock that will hit fuel bills over the winter but, yes, think a lot of mps have spoken to today feel quite humbled about this because they had, in rishi soon acts a candidate who said we can't take a gamble, we need to focus on sound finance and if we don't disaster lies ahead and he has been vindicated. and i think the shape of contest to come will give as a sense of that. you've got to potential candidates in rishi sinnott and penny mordaunt, the leader of the house of commons, much more lower

key and will try to stabilise things but maybe they will go for it suella braverman who has similar right—wing policy to liz truss and then of course there is the potential return of borisjohnson which is what everybody�*s gossiping about in westminster today. fundamentally we just need a government that is functioning and can do what people need because it feels like the whole politics has become totally irrelevant to peoples lives. everything is about westminster games. we are about to have the sixth of fifth prime minister in six years. the second unelected prime minister who has no mandate for the british people. that is going to be really tough and i think whoever wins this contest has to focus on unity so they can do things that matter to ordinary people because this is not fun for people on the bride line. thank you very much indeed. ian blackford is the leader of the snp in the house of commons. good to you. i'm sure you will share some of those thoughts that it is

time for a general election. edi time for a general election. of course it is. this whole period has just been embarrassing. excruciating. it really does make the uk that in a bad light internationally. you know, you never want to see someone fall from office in the way this has happened but this has been a calamitous prime ministership from liz truss. it has been a disaster from the ministership from liz truss. it has been a disasterfrom the beginning and of course, let's not forget people are paying a price for her mistakes and the fact that mortgage rates have jumped mistakes and the fact that mortgage rates havejumped much as mistakes and the fact that mortgage rates have jumped much as they are. so i'm glad it's over. but we cannot perpetually be in a position where tory mps choose who the next leader is. think it is right, given where we are... is. think it is right, given where we are- - -_ is. think it is right, given where weare... ,, . ., we are... there is precedent. gordon became prime _ we are... there is precedent. gordon became prime minister, _ we are... there is precedent. gordon became prime minister, dignity, - became prime minister, dignity, without an election? he was knocked to the third prime minister within one term, have to make that point. there is no constitutional necessity the conservatives to go for an election many people making the

point it would be like turkeys voting for christmas. your market is tired. you just look at everything that went on yesterday, what a calamitous day. see everything around the vote in the chamber. this is a government that is past its sell by date. it has lost its moral authority will top look at the poll ratings. the worst poll rating any prime minister has had in liz truss foot end people trying to get to a cost of living crisis. no support there beyond next spring. it is time people throughout these islands have their say and for those of us in scotland, we've got the opportunity to say that, for us, there is another way. we cannot stay in the costs and chaos of westminster. we are pressed for time so ijust want to get another question in. does the

reaction of the markets to the growth strategy that she set out, which people across the political spectrum say the uk needs to find in scotland needs to find as well, does not shape or influence the sort of manifestos that parties will be putting forward if and when we have another election? {line putting forward if and when we have another election?— another election? one of the things we can share _ another election? one of the things we can share years _ another election? one of the things we can share years we _ another election? one of the things we can share years we will- another election? one of the things we can share years we will have - another election? one of the things we can share years we will have a i we can share years we will have a great manifesto. the uk has not grown for many decades now and this was a wish list from the prime minister. it was not a growth strategy. we published a plan for green energy a few weeks ago and talked about increasing our green energy fivefold, creating 85,000 jobs and driving that into the economy. some substance. never had that from the prime minister. it was nonsense and where you had these unfunded tax cuts it was right that the markets, unfortunately, punished all of us the way that they did not forget the uk has an enormous current—account deficit under the

later ons figures. more than 80% of our gdp foot of that has to be financed by foreigners and they were saying the uk is in investable. we need to have a proper debate about where we are going. for us, we have the answers in scotland, to scotland joining the eu and becoming independent. try the people across the islands have their say on this conservative government. obviously, there was a — conservative government. obviously, there was a vote _ conservative government. obviously, there was a vote last _ conservative government. obviously, there was a vote last night, _ conservative government. obviously, there was a vote last night, i - there was a vote last night, i almost had to look in papers this morning just to confirm that the vote on fracking was because it seemed to be lost the chaos that unfolded in the lobby. that has big implications that the fracking mandate has been scrapped and put aside. what will happen now in scotland? you make i'm glad to say that fracking in scotland is devolved so fracking will not be

taking place in scotland. the scottish government, scottish parliament has made that clear. we don't need it, of course, because we have an abundance of energy resources put up even if you take gas, we actually produce six times as much gas as we produce, only 14% of our energy consumption anyway. we are dramatically increasing our output on green energy and there is a fantastic future for us as a green energy powerhouse. i'm christian fraser live in downing street — liz truss has resigned from her role as uk prime minister and leader i recognise, though, given the situation, i cannot deliver the mandate on which i was elected by the conservative party. i have therefore spoken to his majesty the king to notify him that i am resigning as leader of the conservative party. ms truss's replacement

will be elected by next week after a rebellion by conservative mps forced her to quit.