The resignation of Prime Minister Liz Truss hasn’t come as any surprise to business leaders in Dorset.

Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber, said: “Although it was only a matter of time before Liz Truss resigned we are now plunged into even greater uncertainty.

“It is crucial that we have an orderly and swift transition with a new leader who can return both political and economic stability.

“Our politicians must stop playing games with the lives and livelihoods of our people and businesses at a time when we face rampant inflation, a crisis in the cost of living and doing business and the prospect of a bleak winter ahead.

“They must act in the national interest and get it right this time in choosing a new Prime Minister to deliver a clear long-term vision for how he or she will support businesses, and the communities that rely on them, to thrive.”

Simon Boyd, managing director of Christchurch-based REIDsteel, said: “It’s no surprise that Liz Truss has gone.

“Personally speaking, I thought she had the right ideas which could have delivered the growth our economy and businesses so desperately need but they were badly delivered.

“She went too far, too fast, too soon and that has opened up the abyss. Clearly, her departure has been orchestrated by those to the left of the party who have never stopped plotting since we voted to leave the EU and the electorate will see that.

“It is catastrophic for the Conservative party, which will be lucky to win enough seats to be His Majesty’s opposition following the next general election which I suspect will happen sooner rather than later.

“Politicians like Suella Braverman have showed great courage but stand little chance of succeeding Liz Truss as the party is now in the hands of wets who believe in the globalist one-nation liberalism which bears more resemblance to the philosophies of the labour party than conservatism.

“The Conservative Party can be resurgent but it will have to allow the re-establishment of the centre-right to make it electable.”