Ulster Unionist Party leader, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has congratulated Liz Truss MP on being elected leader of the Conservative Party and the next Prime Minister.

Doug Beattie said:

“I congratulate Liz Truss on being elected leader of the Conservative Party and the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

“The new Prime Minister will have a bulging in-tray, but first and foremost the country urgently needs stability. We want to see a strong Government which acts swiftly in the best interests of all its people in all parts of the United Kingdom.

“That means bringing forward tangible plans to address the cost of living crisis and moving quickly to deal with the Northern Ireland Protocol.

“Rocketing household bills are going to see more and more families falling into fuel poverty and real hardship. People will be going cold and hungry this winter and being forced to make some unpalatable decisions.

“That`s why we need every level of Government functioning at full capacity to deal with these unprecedented challenges. We need the Executive restored in order to deal with all of the pressing issues affecting the people of Northern Ireland. Resolute plans to deal with the Protocol must be brought forward by the Government as it is contributing to a toxic atmosphere in Northern Ireland politics. We cannot afford to wait.

“There is a tidal wave of bad news coming over the horizon and strong political leadership will be required to steer Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom through what are generational challenges.”