'I just watch the news and shake my head': Stunned Britons reveal their disbelief as Liz Truss resigns after just 44 days as PM - while her next-door neighbour says he is 'overjoyed' that she is stepping down
- Britons have mixed feelings over the dramatic resignation of Prime Minister Liz Truss on Thursday
- Some have slammed her for 'crashing the economy' and being 'out of her depth' but others are sympathetic
- Truss supporters say she was 'not given enough time to prove herself' after just weeks in the role
- After just 44 days in office, Ms Truss is shortest-serving Prime Minister in modern history
By PAUL THOMPSON IN LONDON and NICK CRAVEN IN DOWNHAM MARKET, SW NORFOLK and BRITTANY CHAIN and NATASHA ANDERSON FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 03:25 AEDT, 21 October 2022 | UPDATED: 05:46 AEDT, 21 October 2022
Angry Britons dubbed the nation 'the laughing stock of the world' as the crisis-hit country plunged into meltdown after Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister.
Ms Truss, after just 44 days in office, took to a lectern outside No10 to confirm her departure on Thursday, sealing her fate as the shortest-serving premier in modern political history.
The PM admitted defeat following crisis talks with Tory Party chiefs in Downing Street and with MPs in open insurrection.
Ms Truss - who insisted she was a 'fighter not a quitter' barely 24 hours ago - said the Tory leadership contest will be completed over the next week.
But many Britons say a new Tory leader is not enough and are demanding the decision be put to a public vote sooner rather than later.
Brian Mainland - who worked for more than 40 on a car production line in Oxford - said: 'I think we're the laughing stock of the world.
'Now Liz Truss has resigned I think we should have a general election and let somebody new sort the whole mess out.
'The state of the country is so poor. With the cost of living crisis and the price of gas and electricity you need someone who knows what they're doing in charge.
'They're all tarred with the same brush. For the ordinary people of this country they have been no good at all.'
His retired family therapist wife Margaret, 83, said: 'It's the kids I'm worried about, the youngsters. They don't stand a chance. I had never heard of Lis Truss before this and I wish I'd never heard of her now.'
Ann Vacanti (pictured), from Glasgow but now living in Miami, Florida, said Ms Truss would not have had to resign if she had been a man: 'I think it is very unfair, and a bit sexist. If Liz had been a man she would have been forced to resign'
Britons have mixed feelings over the dramatic exit of Prime Minister Liz Truss. Her neighbour Stuart Marsh (pictured) said 'she was out of her depth when she got the job and it got worse every day'
Brian Mainland and his wife Margaret (left) feel the UK has become 'the laughing stock of the world' in the wake of the chaos, while London cabbie Gerry O'Connor (pictured right), waiting for a fare outside Harrods store in Knightsbridge, told MailOnline that Rishi Sunak should now get the top job at No 10: 'If we are concerned about the economy then it has to be Rishi. I think he knows what he is doing'
Dementia carer Anne Justice, 72, said she was deeply shocked and saddened by the chaos.
'The last couple of months it's been like living in a third world country,' she said.
'There has been indecision at a time when the country needs stability. I'm fortunate I don't have a mortgage but, like everyone, my utility bills have gone up - everything has gone up. All this uncertainty is just making everything worse.'
Ms Justice said it appeared Ms Truss 'just didn't do her homework' and suggested Boris Johnson would be the best replacement to step back into the top job.
'He never should have left. That's where it all went wrong,' she said.
Another frontrunner in the leadership debate is Rishi Sunak, who led the campaign against Mr Johnson.
London cabbie Gerry O'Connor, waiting for a fare outside Harrods store in Knightsbridge, told MailOnline Sunak should now get his chance at No10.
'If we are concerned about the economy then it has to be Rishi. I think he knows what he is doing,' the cabbie said.
'But if it's on personality then [Penny] Mordaunt. They could make a good team, but we shall have to see. We are in a right old mess, but it needs to be sorted now.'
Mr O'Connor, who has worked as a cab driver for 30 years, believes Ms Truss was not given enough time to prove herself in the role.
'I do feel sorry for Truss,' he said. 'She didn't really get a chance. The knives were out for her from the start.'
Russian exile Bella Shumilava (pictured), who has lived in London for a decade, said: 'I am so surprised she has resigned and I think this country will face difficult times now'
Londoner Jack said he 'doesn't think there are words to describe how bad' the situation is right now
Even two of Ms Truss's closest neighbours were 'overjoyed' when she threw in the towel on Thursday.
'Whoopee!' her constituent and next-door neighbour Stuart Marsh, 60, told MailOnline shortly after the news broke. 'She was out of her depth when she got the job and it got worse every day.
'In my view she should never have been selected as an MP here, never mind Prime Minister. Now someone else will have to pick up the pieces.'
The retired ventilation engineer - who is a carer for his disabled wife Kelly, 43, - said Ms Truss was rarely to be seen in recent years in the modest £200,000 detached house in Downham Market at the of her South West Norfolk constituency.
'The most we've seen of her recently is for a couple of hours,' he said.
'There have been lots of rows about parking in the past, because we have an unwritten rule here that you don't park outside someone else's house, but on occasion she or her husband would put their cars outside someone else's house.'
Another neighbour, retired university lecturer Teresa Waller, 79, a Labour voter, was equally jubilant.
'I'm overjoyed,' she said. 'We've seen very little of her as she's risen up the Westminster greasy pole and I'd be surprised if she carries on as the local MP after this.
'Mind you, they do say that if you stick a blue rosette on a donkey in this area, it would be voted in as a Tory MP.
'I wasn't surprised that she crashed and burned – she's messed up every job she's been in to my mind. But I was astonished that she managed it quite so quickly.
'I don't know who will be able to take it on – but we need a general election now, rather than the same little Tory clique of either party members or MPs voting for their mate.'
Lester Barnes said: 'I think it was going to happen anyway. I think it was the right thing to resign. I think actually we should have a General Election. I think now's the time to make a change and we need a change'
Dementia carer Anne Justice (left), 72, said: 'I'm shocked by what is going on. I think it's very sad. 'The last couple of months it's been like living in a third world county', while Richard Walker said: 'I have never known anything like it in politics'
Lester Barnes added: 'I think it was going to happen anyway. I think it was the right thing to resign. I think actually we should have a General Election. I think now's the time to make a change and we need a change.'
'I think good riddance to her,' a woman interviewed near London Bridge said. 'I think we need some stability and whether it is a General Election or whether it is indeed something that they've already planned in the background - I don't know.
'But let's hope we actually get some stability and stop being a laughing stock.'
Store manager Janet Anderson, 44, said she is so disillusioned with politics that she doesn't care who becomes Prime Minister.
She suggested recently ousted Boris Johnson could 'make a comeback' while also implying he did a better job in the role than Ms Truss despite his slew of scandals.
'I just watch the news and shake my head,' Ms Anderson said.
'This is just like with Boris. Once the resignations start it's all over. She had her chance, but all she did is crash the economy.
'I suppose Boris will now make a comeback. He couldn't stop lying, but at least he seemed to know what he was doing.'
But Ms Truss still had some defenders on Thursday. Russian exile Bella Shumilava, who has lived in London for a decade, said: 'I am so surprised she has resigned and I think this country will face difficult times now.
'I really don't know who would want to take over. It does seem a thankless job and I have some sympathy for her.'
Ann Vacanti, from Glasgow but now living in Miami, Florida, said Ms Truss would not have had to resign if she had been a man.
'I think it is very unfair, and a bit sexist. If Liz had been a man she would have been forced to resign,' Ms Vacanti said.
'I really think this could be the end of a Tory Government. They have had so many chances and not got it right.'
Jack, who did not provide his surname, said: 'I think it's pretty shocking, obviously. I don't think there are words to describe how bad it is.
'The Tory Party is in total disarray and I think Keir Starmer is Prime Minister in waiting, pretty much.'
Courier Fabio Chiellini, 59, (pictured) said he was 'surprised Liz Truss went so quickly'
Other constituents in Downham Market had mixed views on Ms Truss's resignation.
Shirley Lane, 85, said: 'I expected it for a while – we couldn't have so much chaos going on like that. She's not been a very good MP to be honest, so not surprising she wasn't much of a PM.'
The retired doctor's dispenser added: 'I was never a follower of hers, and I don't suppose we'll see her standing for this seat again. There should be a general election now.'
Single mother-of-two Jemma Golding, 37, a self-employed jeweller, said: 'It's kind of surprising because it's been so quick. I don't follow politics closely, but I'd like to see someone taking over who has a bit of leadership.
'The main issue I'd like to see addressed is some help for people with children and those on low incomes.'
Primary school teacher and mother-of-four Carla Curtis, 37, 'I can't believe how chaotic the last few weeks have been, I've never seen anything like it. I didn't even know Liz Truss was our local MP, her profile isn't very high around here.
'It's time for a general election now and give someone else a chance. The main issues in my mind are the NHS and schools, neither of which have been treated well in my opinion, especially during the pandemic.'
But wireman Matthew Stack, 40, didn't want a general election and felt the nation needed a period of 'stability and calm'.
After just 44 days in No10 - the shortest term in modern political history - the PM took to a lectern outside the famous black door to confirm her departure
Ms Truss was watched by husband Hugh as she delivered her emotional announcement in Downing Street today
Who is in the running to seize power? Boris Johnson is 'planning to run again', Rishi Sunak is the 'natural' choice and Penny Mordaunt launches 'PM4PM' campaign within minutes of Truss quitting
Boris Johnson is believed to be considering a potentially explosive attempt to regain power after the resignation of Liz Truss, as other leading Tories squabble over her successor.
The ex-PM, who was ousted by an unprecedented ministerial walk-out just three months ago, is believed to be sounding out advice on mounting a comeback after his successor lasted just 44 days in No10.
His interest comes as other leading Tories argue over a unity candidate who can effectively be crowned leader and calm the bitter political and economic crisis of the past six weeks.
Backbench leader Sir Graham Brady today suggested he wanted the election of the new party leader - who would become PM - in a week. But MPs this afternoon began to coalesce around at least three frontrunners: Mr Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt.
Reports suggested that every contender will need at least 100 backers to enter the election, five times as many as they needed in the summer leadership vote.
A run by Mr Johnson, if he does go through with it, could be massively divisive. He was forced out of Downing Street by MPs in the summer after a scandal-plagued three years in charge. But he remains popular with party members, who seem likely to be involved in a vote for the new leader.
Tory MPs today began to split among the frontrunners, with senior figures cautioning against choosing Mr Johnson.
Sir Roger Gale said: 'We need to remember that Mr Johnson is still under investigation by the Privileges Committee for potentially misleading the House.
'Until that investigation is complete and he is found guilty or cleared, there should be no possibility of him returning to Government.'
But minister Brendan Clarke-Smith, who was given a job by Mr Johnson, told Sky: 'We need someone who can come in, we need somebody who can bring people together, somebody who actually has got that mandate.
'So a mandate from people in the last general election, a mandate from party members and somebody actually who can get this party going again, get us winning elections again.
'The only person that I think that ticks all those boxes is Boris Johnson.'
Former prime minister Theresa May said Tory MPs must be prepared to compromise to ensure there is a 'sensible, competent government'.
One Rishi Sunak ally told MailOnline he will almost certainly run, and predicted that there would be a 'natural logic' to him facing off against Boris Johnson. 'It will be a battle for the soul of the party,' they added.
Meanwhile a PM4PM Twitter account was activated within minutes of Ms Truss quitting in Downing Street today, and a number of MPs came out for the Commons leader Ms Mordaunt.
MP Bob Seely, who backed her in the summer's Conservative Party leadership contest, said he hoped she would run for leader again.
Mr Seely also said he predicted 'quite a high threshold' for MPs to stand for leader, while also indicating that he did not want to 'go back' to the time when Boris Johnson was leader.
As for Liz Truss, he said: 'Our local MP has risen way above her station and she's a career opportunist who went for it. She should never have elected as Prime Minister in the first place. I don't think she'll remain as our local MP after this.
'The main issue now facing the country is the need for stability, for business, for people's personal finances and the country as a whole.
'I just want politics to settle down for a while so we can enjoy the World Cup, then Christmas and get back to normal.'
Richard Walker, a director at the British Council, said: 'I have never known anything like it in politics.
'I'm not a Tory voter but I wish that in the first place only the MPs voted because even in the Tory party they have at least some sense of what's going on.
'The fact is that the conservative membership, which is something like 0.1 per cent of the electorate, were able to vote in the new prime minister.
'If they allowed the MPs to do it we would have had Rishi Sunak as prime minister and that at least would have been, even as a non Tory voter, half decent.'
Oxford graduate Mr Walker, 69, said: 'The root of this is David Cameron agreeing to hold a referendum and not really fighting it.
'It goes back to that and the Tory party division. Before that I was willing to give the Tory party some credibility but since then.'
Afterwards the PM and her husband walled disconsolately back into the building, where they took up residence little over a month ago
Markets rally following Truss's resignation
Within minutes of Ms Truss announcing her resignation on Thursday, the pound rocketed against the dollar to hit $1.13.
Earlier it had begun to climb as MPs made it clear they wanted her to step down.
Yields on gilts - UK government bonds - also eased slightly in response to her decision. UK 30-year gilt yields, which fall as price improve, fell back by 0.44% to 3.86% on Thursday.
Yields had dropped even further shortly before the Prime Minister's statement at 1.30pm but sprang back slightly.
Last night the FTSE 100 had slipped into the red as the UK's inflation rate hit another 40-year high in September.
London's top index lost grip of the gains made earlier in the week as enthusiasm waned in the aftermath of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's fiscal policy U-turns.
David Smart, 67, an NHS fire officer, felt Ms Truss should have been given 'more of a chance'.
Visiting a local Tesco store with his wife Rosemary, 64, he said: 'The trouble is there's been a bit of a witch-hunt, both from her colleagues, the opposition and the media, with every little mistake she's made.'
He said that calling a general election now would be 'like changing the deck chairs on the Titanic
'I'm not one of her supporters, but I do feel she should have been given more of a chance and a bit more time to sort things out. What we need now isn't a general election but some kind of coalition government which can present a united front.'
Rosemary just laughed when asked her opinion of Ms Truss, but added: 'Well everyone seems to like her but I think she's gone down a little bit to be honest with you.'
Tour guide Keith Major said: 'The UK is in an absolute terrible shape, and we know who is to blame.
'If the Tories attempt to bring back Boris it would just be laughable. There is no way he should come back as Prime Minister.
'We just want someone with a bit of common sense to run the country. Having a Prime Minister for 44 days is beyond a joke'
Danish tourist Frede Soebjerg summed up the state of British politics with one word: 'ridiculous.'
'It is just ridiculous. How can you have a leader of your country last just 44 days?' he asked. 'We are having elections in Denmark next month, but they will not be as crazy as yours.
'The word ridiculous is how people will see the UK.'
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Stunned Britons reveal their disbelief as Liz Truss resigns after just 44 days as Prime Minister
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