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General election is now a democratic imperative, says Sturgeon General election is now a democratic imperative, says Sturgeon
(30 minutes later)
Nicola Sturgeon said the resignation of Liz Truss was "beyond parody"Nicola Sturgeon said the resignation of Liz Truss was "beyond parody"
Nicola Sturgeon said the resignation of Liz Truss was "beyond parody"Nicola Sturgeon said the resignation of Liz Truss was "beyond parody"
Scotland's first minister has said a UK general election is a "democratic imperative" following the resignation of Liz Truss as prime minister.Scotland's first minister has said a UK general election is a "democratic imperative" following the resignation of Liz Truss as prime minister.
Ms Truss resigned after just 45 days in the job as her government became engulfed in political turmoil.Ms Truss resigned after just 45 days in the job as her government became engulfed in political turmoil.
Nicola Sturgeon said the situation was an "utter shambles", with ordinary people paying the price.Nicola Sturgeon said the situation was an "utter shambles", with ordinary people paying the price.
Ms Truss will remain in post until a successor formally takes over as Conservative Party leader.Ms Truss will remain in post until a successor formally takes over as Conservative Party leader.
She will become the shortest-serving prime minster in British history when she stands down. A new leader will be appointed within a week.She will become the shortest-serving prime minster in British history when she stands down. A new leader will be appointed within a week.
The latest headlines from ScotlandThe latest headlines from Scotland
More stories on Scottish politicsMore stories on Scottish politics
Reacting to the news of Ms Truss's resignation, the first minister tweeted: "There are no words to describe this utter shambles adequately. It's beyond hyperbole - and parody.Reacting to the news of Ms Truss's resignation, the first minister tweeted: "There are no words to describe this utter shambles adequately. It's beyond hyperbole - and parody.
"Reality though is that ordinary people are paying the price. The interests of the Tory party should concern no-one right now."Reality though is that ordinary people are paying the price. The interests of the Tory party should concern no-one right now.
"A general election is now a democratic imperative.""A general election is now a democratic imperative."
And commenting on the fact that Ms Truss had yet to have a formal meeting or phone call with her, Ms Sturgeon said she would "just wait for whoever will become the fifth PM (so far) during my time as FM".And commenting on the fact that Ms Truss had yet to have a formal meeting or phone call with her, Ms Sturgeon said she would "just wait for whoever will become the fifth PM (so far) during my time as FM".
Liz Truss announced her resignation in a statement outside 10 Downing StreetLiz Truss announced her resignation in a statement outside 10 Downing Street
Speaking to BBC Scotland, the first minister said she thought the resignation was "inevitable" the moment Liz Truss walked into Downing Street.Speaking to BBC Scotland, the first minister said she thought the resignation was "inevitable" the moment Liz Truss walked into Downing Street.
Ms Sturgeon said a general election was a necessity, but said it would not solve the "fundamental problem" for Scotland.Ms Sturgeon said a general election was a necessity, but said it would not solve the "fundamental problem" for Scotland.
"Scotland's votes don't determine the outcome of UK general elections," she said."Scotland's votes don't determine the outcome of UK general elections," she said.
"So as long as we're part of this Westminster system, we're always going to be vulnerable to getting prime ministers we don't vote for, implementing policies that we don't support and do real damage to the country."So as long as we're part of this Westminster system, we're always going to be vulnerable to getting prime ministers we don't vote for, implementing policies that we don't support and do real damage to the country.
"The democratic case for independence is growing with every hour that passes.""The democratic case for independence is growing with every hour that passes."
Liz Truss: Political journey of UK's shortest-serving PMLiz Truss: Political journey of UK's shortest-serving PM
Who could replace Liz Truss as prime minister?Who could replace Liz Truss as prime minister?
Ms Truss was elected by the Tory membership in September, but she lost authority after a series of U-turns.Ms Truss was elected by the Tory membership in September, but she lost authority after a series of U-turns.
In a speech outside Downing Street, Ms Truss said: "I recognise that I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party."In a speech outside Downing Street, Ms Truss said: "I recognise that I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party."
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 backbench committee of Conservative MPs, confirmed a new leader would be in place by Friday 28 October.Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 backbench committee of Conservative MPs, confirmed a new leader would be in place by Friday 28 October.
Liz Truss's tenure as prime minister was so short that she has never actually had a formal meeting or even phone call with Nicola Sturgeon. The last thing senior Scottish Tories want is the return of Boris Johnson. That would be a "very dangerous" choice said one, given the former PM still faces a parliamentary inquiry into whether he misled parliament over partygate.
That means that one of the few pledges she managed to uphold in the end was to "ignore" the first minister. Another said a Johnson comeback would "destroy the Conservative party". If he has prominent backers in the Scottish party, they are yet to go public.
Ms Sturgeon has been joined by all of the non-Conservative party leaders in Scotland in calling for a general election. MPs Andrew Bowie and John Lamont have renewed their support for their first choice candidates in the recent contest - Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt.
But that doesn't look immediately likely, with Tory MPs reluctant to sign up to a contest at a moment of profound weakness. They are probably among those best placed to secure the 100 MP nominations required.
And while continuing Westminster turmoil might be helpful to the SNP leader's campaign for independence, another change at Downing Street is also unlikely to pave the way to a referendum deal any time soon. Whoever emerges as Liz Truss's successor is unlikely to bow to the demands of the SNP, Labour and the Lib Dems for a snap general election, given the Tories are so far behind in the opinion polls.
Once again, the other parties may be left to watch a Conservative Party soap opera play out. The next PM faces a huge task in trying to stabilise politics and the economy and rebuild lost credibility. As one Tory MP put it: "we are fighting for survival".
Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross said Ms Truss had made the "right decision".Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross said Ms Truss had made the "right decision".
He said in a statement: "I wish Liz Truss and her family well. No matter where you stand on her decisions as prime minister, politics can be very tough on people personally."He said in a statement: "I wish Liz Truss and her family well. No matter where you stand on her decisions as prime minister, politics can be very tough on people personally."
He told BBC Scotland that another general election would put the country in "turmoil" again.He told BBC Scotland that another general election would put the country in "turmoil" again.
Mr Ross said that although the situation in Westminster was "poor", he did not believe it fuelled the case for Scottish independence.Mr Ross said that although the situation in Westminster was "poor", he did not believe it fuelled the case for Scottish independence.
And he added that he would not be declaring for any candidate in the leadership election.And he added that he would not be declaring for any candidate in the leadership election.
"As leader of the party here in Scotland I'll work with whoever becomes the next leader," he said."As leader of the party here in Scotland I'll work with whoever becomes the next leader," he said.
The Scottish Conservative leader has given his reaction to the resignation of Liz Truss as prime minister.The Scottish Conservative leader has given his reaction to the resignation of Liz Truss as prime minister.
The Scottish Conservative leader has given his reaction to the resignation of Liz Truss as prime minister.The Scottish Conservative leader has given his reaction to the resignation of Liz Truss as prime minister.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said he was "sorry" to see the prime minister step down, but added it was clear Ms Truss was not able to deliver her mandate.Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said he was "sorry" to see the prime minister step down, but added it was clear Ms Truss was not able to deliver her mandate.
"What is important now is that the Conservative Party acts quickly to elect a new leader, one we can all get behind," he said."What is important now is that the Conservative Party acts quickly to elect a new leader, one we can all get behind," he said.
However, the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, echoed Sir Keir Starmer's call for an immediate general election.However, the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, echoed Sir Keir Starmer's call for an immediate general election.
He said: "It's right that Liz Truss has resigned. But in truth, this entire Conservative government must go.He said: "It's right that Liz Truss has resigned. But in truth, this entire Conservative government must go.
"The next Tory Leader will have no mandate to be prime minister. We need a general election now.""The next Tory Leader will have no mandate to be prime minister. We need a general election now."
Scottish Greens co-leader, Patrick Harvie, said the Conservative Party represented a "clear and present danger" to Scotland and the UK, arguing that Ms Truss's resignation bolstered the case for Scottish independence.Scottish Greens co-leader, Patrick Harvie, said the Conservative Party represented a "clear and present danger" to Scotland and the UK, arguing that Ms Truss's resignation bolstered the case for Scottish independence.
"Since the 2014 referendum, Scotland has endured four Tory prime ministers that we didn't vote for and couldn't remove."Since the 2014 referendum, Scotland has endured four Tory prime ministers that we didn't vote for and couldn't remove.
"We can't go on with wave after wave of Tory chaos. With independence, Scotland can take a different path and end this Tory circus for good.""We can't go on with wave after wave of Tory chaos. With independence, Scotland can take a different path and end this Tory circus for good."