North East Labour MPs have being giving their thoughts on Rishi Sunak becoming our new Prime Minister.

Mr Sunak was the only Tory leadership candidate to get the backing of at least 100 Conservative MPs, meaning he will become leader without the party’s members having a vote.

The former Chancellor was initially opposed by Boris Johnson, who backed out of the leadership race over the weekend despite claiming to have received sufficient support from MPs to continue, and Penny Mordaunt, who was unable to gather the 100 backers needed to proceed in the contest.

As so many Labour MPs have called for a general election recently, The Northern Echo approached them to ask what their reaction is to the new leader of the Conservative Party.

Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Washington and Sunderland West

The Northern Echo: Sharon Hodgson MPSharon Hodgson MP (Image: Google)

Ms Hodgson said: "Rishi Sunak has no mandate, and has no idea what the people of Washington and Sunderland West need. It's time for a general election and the chance for a fresh start with Labour."

Julie Elliott, Labour MP for Sunderland Central

The Northern Echo: Julie Elliott MPJulie Elliott MP (Image: Google)

Ms Elliott said: "The Tories have chosen Rishi Sunak as the next PM, again without any mandate from the British public, and without any ideas as to how to sort out this economic mess he helped create. 

"This is yet another chapter in the 12 years of chaos and mismanagement from Tories.

"The only answer is a change in government. Labour has a plan for the economy, a plan to supporting working people, and a plan to deal with the Conservative cost of living crisis. We need a general election now."

Alex Cunningham, Labour MP for Stockton North

The Northern Echo: Alex Cunningham MPAlex Cunningham MP (Image: Google)

Mr Cunningham said: "As a MP neighbouring Teesside, perhaps our area will benefit from this appointment and that Rishi Sunak will remember his commitment from the first leadership contest and “double down” on levelling up.

"Sadly his record doesn’t fill me with much hope. As a Chancellor he failed to grow the economy, get a grip on inflation, and presided over a startling increase in child poverty in Teesside and the North East – and he even went as far as opposing measures like rolling out free school meals over holidays which would have made some attempts to tackle this. Not only has he championed policies which have failed to address – and actively contributed to – widening inequalities, he has played a key role as a government minister in introducing many of them.

"Rishi Sunak has been crowned Prime Minister without uttering a word to the British public about how he will run the country or tackle the serious issues facing communities like mine in Stockton North, and without anyone beyond the small electorate of Tory MPs having the chance to vote. The Tories are treating the British public with contempt.

"Rishi Sunak has no mandate and no vision. He offers more of the same failed Tory dogma that has caused so much pain across our communities. We need a general election so the public get a say on the future of Britain – and the chance for a fresh start with Labour."

Mary Kelly Foy, Labour MP for City of Durham

The Northern Echo: Mary Kelly Foy MPMary Kelly Foy MP (Image: Google)

Ms Foy said: "This year Boris Johnson and Liz Truss have inflicted chaos and crises on our country. Our public services are collapsing after 12 years of austerity. Our economy is on life support while the cost of living crisis makes ordinary people feel poorer every week at the till. 

"They say bad things come in threes, and now we have the third Tory Prime Minister this year alone.

"Rishi Sunak was one of the authors of austerity and economic mismanagement. He has been crowned as PM without a single vote cast and without saying a word on his plans to deal with the current economic crisis. He has no mandate.

"The Tories created this crisis, Sunak will continue it, he cannot be trusted to clean up the mess. 

"The British public must choose the direction of our country.

"We must have a general election and we must have one now."

Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough

The Northern Echo: Andy McDonald MPAndy McDonald MP (Image: Google)

Mr McDonald said: "Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough, said: "We will now have our fifth Tory Prime Minister in six years and the third in just seven weeks. Rishi Sunak has absolutely no mandate from the public to lead our country. He has been elected purely by other self-interested Tory MPs. This chaotic Government is damaging our economy and ruining lives. They are not governing - they are too busy fighting for their own survival. A general election is needed now."

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.

Read next: