Tiverton & Honiton’s Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord has backed a Bill in Parliament calling for an early general election by 1st December 2022. The bill is being tabled in parliament today (Monday 24th October) and will be given its first reading on Wednesday after prime minister's questions, (PMQs).

Opposition parties, including the Lib Dems and Labour are calling for a general election to be held on December 1, to let the people of the UK decide who should be elected as prime minister.

Richard Foord has urged MPs from across Devon to back the bill and give local people a say over the country’s future.

It comes as several Conservative MPs today have said an election will be needed in light of their third Prime Minister in as many years.

It's been announced today that Rishi Sunak is the new Prime Minister of the UK, following the resignation of Liz Truss on Friday, (October 21).

A short leadership contest took place with Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt. Nearly 200 Conservative MPs publicly backed the former chancellor ahead of the nomination deadline on Monday.

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt dropped out after failing to secure enough support among MPs.

The new prime minister is expected to take office in the coming days now the result of the Tory leadership contest is known.

Richard Foord MP said: “The Conservatives have caused calamity and chaos and they must be held to account. Devon deserves better. “The Government’s incompetence has led to our economy being trashed, our health services neglected, and hundreds of pounds being added to people’s mortgages. “Conservative MPs must put the country first by backing our calls for an immediate General Election. “The future of our country cannot be left to another Conservative stitch-up. It must be in the hands of voters who deserve a say through a general election.”