BREAKING NEWS: Rishi Sunak set to become next Prime Minister
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Seven weeks after losing to now former Prime Minister Liz Truss in this year’s first Tory leadership contest, Rishi Sunak is to become the next leader of the UK.
He has emerged as the victor after Penny Mordaunt dropped out of Tory leadership race just ahead of the deadline.
Mr Sunak is now set become the UK’s first British Asian prime minister, and will take office as the UK faces enormous economic challenges and ever increasing calls for a general election to be held.
Responding the SNP has said the Tories "cannot be allowed to impose a third Prime Minister without a general election" - as pressure mounts on Tory MPs to give voters a say.
Ian Blackford MP said the Tories were "running scared of democracy" and have no mandate to install a third leader or impose austerity cuts to cover the devastating cost of their mini budget.
It comes as a growing number of backbench Tory MPs admit there needs to be an election – with Sir Christopher Chope MP telling the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme "I think a general election is essentially the only answer" and Nadine Dorries MP tweeting "It will now be impossible to avoid a general election".
Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP said:"The Tories cannot be allowed to impose a third Prime Minister without a general election - voters must get a say and the SNP is determined to ensure they do.
"The Tory government had no mandate to trash the UK economy with its disastrous budget.
"And it has no mandate to install yet another leader who will impose devastating austerity cuts - making households pay through their teeth for Tory mistakes.
"No one voted for this.
"The only reason the Tories are running scared of democracy is because they fear the verdict of the people.
"The decisions that are made in the weeks and months ahead will be hugely significant and will impact the economy, public services and household budgets for years to come.
"Voters must get a say on what course they want to take - instead of having damaging decisions imposed against our will."
Scottish Conservative Highlands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston congratulated the new party leader on his win.
He continued: "Rishi represents a rural constituency – one similar to so many of those across my region of the Highlands and Islands – and I know he understands the many challenges communities like ours face.
“He has been a frequent visitor to Scotland in his previous role as Chancellor, and I am sure that he will continue to engage directly and meaningfully with our communities as Prime Minister.
"Now we need to come together to focus on driving economic recovery, combatting the cost of living crisis and supporting Ukraine."
