Liz Truss resigns: Southampton residents react to PM's departure

Shoppers in Above Bar Street gave mixed responses after Liz Truss resigned as PM earlier today.

Some said her leadership had been a disaster whilst others showed sympathy for the Conservative leader.

READ MORE: Liz Truss resigns: Southampton council leader calls for general election

“An utter disaster” was how 67-year-old Robin Cooke from Southampton described her six-week tenure.

“I don’t think she had a choice", he added.

“They’ve got to get a new leader who will unite the party and hopefully the country."

Claire Cooke and Robin Cooke. (Image: Newsquest)

Claire Cooke, 71, said: “She had to go. I feel that the Conservatives never got behind her.

"They voted her in, and then they didn't support her when things went wrong.

"I feel sorry for her but I don't think she was really the right person to do it."

David Farrow. (Image: Newsquest)

Meanwhile, 59-year-old company director David Farrow from Southampton said: “It's shocking really, to be honest, the whole set-up but I'm not surprised.”

When asked to sum up Mrs Truss' tenure, Mr Farrow replied: "I don't think it was bad as it's been made out.

"I think she won the election unexpectedly, and I think basically it's been a campaign to get her out.

"When they brought the mini-budget out I thought it was actually quite good, but it wasn't acceptable to the markets and the markets rule.

"I am a Conservative voter but I don't think I'll vote for anybody at the next election. I think they’re toast, to be honest."

Ricky Spollin. (Image: Newsquest)

Ricky Spollin, a 62-year-old carer from Bitterne, shared similar views.

Speaking before Truss’ afternoon speech, he said: “They've lost it I think, I think they're going to lose it with a lot of Tory voters.

"I've been Tory, I have voted Labour before, but I now don't know.

"I don't think she's had a chance. The policies that the previous chancellor put in place weren't even given a chance to come to fruition.

"I'm really disappointed in the Government with all this backstabbing."

Stephen Cove. (Image: Newsquest)

Stephen Cove, 60, from the New Forest, works as a tour guide at Beaulieu Motor Museum.

He has shown some sympathy for the outgoing Prime Minister.

"I think it's a shame, I think they haven't given her a chance, she hasn't been in the post five minutes, trying to sort everything out”, he said.

“We should've given her better time in power to sort it out, so I think it's sad news.

“They have to bring back Boris Johnson, that's what we say. He'd have to come back, not that he would, but I think he should never have gone in the first place.

"We just have to have another general election and let the British public decide who's in power, whether it's the Conservatives or a Labour Government."

Kudjo Kaordje. (Image: Newsquest)

Sales manager Kudjo Kaordje, 24 showed less compassion for Mrs Truss, stating: "If she couldn't handle the job then that was the right thing to do.

"The country needs a strong leader, it needs a very strong leader to not run away from the problems and just stick it out and solve everything.

"People feel very alienated and not wanting to support the Government, and it feels like the Government doesn't want to support us."

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