The Liberal Democrats are calling on Gloucester MP Richard Graham to back a general election following the resignation of Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Ms Truss quit yesterday after just 45 days in the job, becoming the shortest ever serving Prime Minister.

In a statement, the Lib-Dems say the Conservative government and the Conservative Party is in utter chaos following a series of U-turns, the ditching of economic policies, and the sacking of the Chancellor and Home Secretary.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats, said change was needed immediately and he called on the city's MP to put the country first and back a general election.

"We cannot allow the Conservatives to anoint another leader in a matter of weeks without the public having its say," said Councillor Hilton. "We need a general election right now.

"The entire Conservative Party is dysfunctional from top to bottom and is unfit to lead the country - lurching from one crisis to another.

"They have wrecked the economy, forced the public to suffer the worst cost of living crisis in living memory and made us a laughing stock on the world stage.

"It is time for real change. The Conservative Government needs to go and go right now.

"It is time for Richard Graham to do his patriotic duty, put the country first and give the people a say."

Dr Rebecca Trimnell, who was the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Gloucester at the last general election, added: "This is an absolute shambolic mess. The infighting is causing both economic and societal upheaval.

"This government has now lost all credibility. There should be a general election without delay so the people can decide and not a disparate bunch of Conservative parliamentarians."