Witney MP Robert Courts congratulated the new prime minister Rishi Sunak and said it is "now time to unite" for difficult times.

He said: “Rishi will restore unity and provide calm, competent and professional leadership during these challenging times. He will deliver stability and economic confidence, ensuring we can take our country forward and deliver upon our 2019 mandate.”

Liz Truss announced she would step down from the role on October 20 after just 45 days, making her the UK's shortest serving Prime Minister.

Mr Sunak was guaranteed the job when Penny Mordaunt pulled out of the leadership race.

Before the announcement of Mr Sunak's appointment, Mr Courts tweeted: "Our urgent tasks are to restore stability in government and provide economic confidence in challenging times.

"We need strong, competent leadership in No.10 to take our country forward and deliver our 2019 mandate. @RishiSunak is undoubtedly the person to provide this leadership."

However, Lib Dem councillor Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, who represents Charlbury and Finstock at district level, called for a General Election.

She said residents in Oxfordshire will be “relieved we have reached the end of the Truss era” but an election was needed to restore public faith in the Government.

She added the cost of living crisis is the main issue facing residents in the county says the Government needs to recognise this and support the most vulnerable people in society.

She said: “As he was the chancellor previously, I have every expectation that they will follow the line as before in terms of their budgets.

“This will not be great for us in Oxfordshire because we know that they are going to have to make significant cuts and we have already had to make big cuts to our budget.

“I am not entirely optimistic that we will see an improvement.”

Both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak visited West Oxfordshire Conservatives over the summer during the leadership contest.

In July Tory leadership hopeful Rishi Sunak addressed members of the party in Witney.

West Oxfordshire Conservative Associaton welcomed Tory leadership hopeful Liz Truss to Carterton in August.

On Tuesday The Royal Family account tweeted that the King received The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP at Buckingham Palace today.

"His Majesty asked him to form a new Administration. Mr. Sunak accepted His Majesty's offer and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury."

County councillor Liam Walker, who represents Hanborough and Minster Lovell, tweeted: "An historic moment!" with a Union flag.

 

 

 

 

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail

Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail