This afternoon, Liz Truss announced that she would resign her position as Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister.
She stated that she had spoken to the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady and that a leadership election will be completed by Friday next week.
I had hoped that Liz Truss would be able to provide unity to the country and my party at what is a challenging time, with the cost-of-living pressures we are all experiencing. However, the avoidable mistakes she made early on in her leadership - chiefly the mini-Budget - meant that her position became untenable.
I backed Tom Tugendhat for the leadership in the summer, but my understanding is that he does not intend to seek the job this time. These are very difficult times nationally and internationally and those of us in Westminster must be prepared to compromise, work together and put the national interest first.
And I will, of course, always continue to champion Newcastle-under-Lyme in Parliament.