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Ariana Baio
Oct 19, 2022
UK’s Liz Truss faces down hostile MPs, refuses to resign
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Somehow, every day seems to be more hectic than the last when it comes to British politics.
On Friday, Liz Truss announced a U-turn on the mini-budget plan, fired Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng, and appointed Jeremy Hunt as the new Chancellor.
Immediately MPs called for Truss to resign due to her chaotic tax plan but Truss remained firm that the situation could be remedied.
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On Tuesday, Truss failed to appear on time in the House of Commons to answer the Prime Minister's Questions leading MP, Stella Creasy, to accuse Truss of "hiding under a desk".
But the situation on Downing Street seemingly escalated on Wednesday as Home Secretary Suella Braverman resigned just 43 days into office.
Grant Shapps will replace Braverman as Home Secretary.
Already, Truss' Cabinet is seeing quick turnover, less than two months into the job.
\u201cMeanwhile\u2026 absolutely glued to this rolling utter shitshow that is UK politics right now. If I wasn\u2019t surgically attached to my phone before, I sure am now.\u201d— Dan Smith (@Dan Smith) 1666209180
\u201cWhat must public be thinking? We\u2019re in middle of cost of living crisis w households across the country fearful about how they\u2019ll pay their bills. Yet the government seems to be locked in a psychodrama.\u201d— Pippa Crerar (@Pippa Crerar) 1666209333
Following Braverman's departure, MPs gathered together to hold a vote on fracking - a controversial issue in the UK. But the vote also seemingly was a test of Tories' loyalty to Truss.
According to the BBC, the government "ordered Tory MPs to support its policy, or face expulsion."
\u201cIf you want to understand UK politics right now, imagine that the Titanic and the iceberg are both being run by the same people\u201d— Mr John Robertson twitch.tv/robbotron #thedarkroom (@Mr John Robertson twitch.tv/robbotron #thedarkroom) 1666211541
\u201cGo home UK politics. You\u2019re drunk.\u201d— Adam Chapman (@Adam Chapman) 1666203342
Several Conservative members indicated they would vote in favor of the fracking policy despite the warning. During the vote, several MPs said Tories were being 'manhandled'.
Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle tweeted, "Tory whips manhandling a crying Tory MP into their lobby for fracking." Labour MP Chris Bryant recounted a similar situation.
\u201cWhat it's like following UK Politics right now:\u201d— Reed James (@Reed James) 1666207445
Reports trickled in that Deputy Whip Chief Craig Whittaker and Chief whip Wendy Morton resigned following the chaotic fracking vote. Later, it was announced that they'd be staying in their posts.
\u201cThe plan? Make Liz Truss prime minister\u201d— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE) 1666193620
More people are calling for Truss to resign than ever. However, Truss' press secretary said the Prime Minister would not resign, even if they lost the vote according to the BBC.
Securing the vote, 326 voted against the fracking proposal.
\u201cThinking of future Politics A Level students having to study this utterly unhinged period of UK politics\u201d— Joshua Zitser (@Joshua Zitser) 1666204331
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It is a simple and fundamental principle that the government derives its democratic legitimacy from the people. The future of the country must not be decided by plotting and U-turns at Westminster; it must be decided by the people in a general election. And for this reason The Independent is calling for an election to be held. Have your say and sign our election petition by clicking here.