THE leader of Colchester Conservatives has called for unity following Prime Minister Liz Truss's decision to step down as PM after 44 days.

Councillor Darius Laws told the Gazette a new PM needs to be installed quickly, adding that the Conservatives would still have a chance of holding the Colchester constituency were there an election.

He said: “I’m low looking to a swift – and I mean swift – coronation [of a new leader].

“The MPs will know who is the most appropriate and competent to crack on and unite the party.

“We have relative affluence here in Colchester, and people want a sensible, centrist government – it’s a middle-of-the-road place politically.”

Mr Laws added that Colchester MP Will Quince still had his backing.

“Will Quince is on the ground and doing things locally – he hasn’t made any errors and he still has my support.

“We had a by-election in Lexden earlier this year and we absolutely romped it – the Lib Dems threw everything at it and Labour were there as well.

“We are still the largest single group in the council; the last few weeks have been difficult but they have drawn attention to key Conservative principles.”

Mr Quince did not respond to the Gazette's requests for comment.