Caroline Lucas MP: 'A general election is the only democratic way forward'
Responding to the news that Andrea Leadsom has pulled out of the Tory leadership race, Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:
“Andrea Leadsom’s decision to pull out of the leadership race underlines the necessity of a General Election this year, something the Greens have called for since the EU referendum result was announced.
“It is unacceptable that the next person to hold the top job in British politics is appointed by 60% of Tory MPs. They have no mandate to renegotiate Britain's place in the world in this post referendum period. A general election is the only democratic way forward.
"Such an election would be a major challenge for progressives. That's why it's crucial we look closely at ways of forming a progressive alliance to give us the best chance of beating the Tories and genuinely giving people back control by delivering a fair voting system.
"Leadsom is the latest in a long line of prominent Vote Leave campaigners to walk away from the almighty mess they have helped to create. Having seemingly been prepared to say pretty much anything to claim a referendum 'win', prominent Brexiteers such as Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson and Leadsom have let down the people they purport to represent by walking away when the going gets tough.”