A Welwyn Hatfield councillor has called for a General Election to be triggered after Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister on Thursday.

Ms Truss quit during a speech outside 10 Downing Street, with her 44 days in the role making her the shortest-serving Prime Minister in UK history.

Her time in charge also saw a number of her cabinet members quit, including chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and home secretary Suella Braverman, launching the Conservative party in chaos.

A second leadership contest in just four months will now begin, with Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt frontrunners to take charge of the Tories and the country.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Liz Truss quit as Prime Minister after just 44 days in charge. Credit: PA ImagesLiz Truss quit as Prime Minister after just 44 days in charge. Credit: PA Images (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

But, Paul Zukowskyj, Liberal Democrat councillor for Welham Green and Hatfield South, believes a General Election must be triggered to stop the country “crashing into the ground”.

“While the political uncertainty of a general election would not help steady the markets in the short term, any incoming Conservative leader is unlikely to give us any more stability than Liz Truss did,” he said.

“The Tories seem destined to continue in their tailspin and we need to pull the country out before we crash into the ground with them.

“I therefore have to say I think the only solution that doesn't mean a calamitous crash, economically, politically and socially, is to trigger a General Election immediately.”

Cllr Zukowskyj also called on the people of Welwyn Hatfield to vote Lib Dem at the next general election, which will take place no later than January 2025.

“Boris Johnson failed our country and Liz Truss trashed our economy,” he said.

“People in Welwyn Hatfield deserve better than this incompetent and chaotic government, which has sent mortgages spiralling while our NHS services are stretched to breaking point.

“The Conservative party have proven time and time again they are not fit to lead our great country.

“This country needs a General Election and Conservative MPs now need to do their patriotic duty. They simply cannot prop up more chaotic governments.

“At the next election we urge people across Welwyn Hatfield to back the Liberal Democrats to get a fair deal on the NHS and the cost of living instead of more Conservative chaos.”