Once again, the British public have an unelected prime minister who leads a party that is responsible for unleashing economic chaos in this country.

Without saying a single word about how he would run the country and without anyone having had the chance to vote for him, Rishi Sunak has been crowned prime minister by his Tory colleagues who are driven more by self-interest than the good of the country.

This is the same Rishi Sunak who as chancellor failed to grow the economy, get a grip on inflation and help families and vulnerable people through a cost of living crisis that is only getting worse.

With his record and after Liz Truss comprehensively beat him in the summer leadership election, it is no wonder that Rishi Sunak is running scared of calling a general election. The Conservatives have not only failed to deliver the mandate they were elected on in 2019, but their choices and policies have actively damaged the national interest.

This government lost its legitimacy to continue governing when the first of the three prime ministers we have had in the last seven weeks, Boris Johnson was forced out of office for breaking his own laws.

Ham & High: Tulip Siddiq is demanding a general electionTulip Siddiq is demanding a general election (Image: Office of Tulip Siddiq)

His successor, Liz Truss, triggered turmoil in the markets with a grossly irresponsible mini-budget which has left people with eye-watering mortgage costs and even higher prices. And now, despite being rejected by his own party membership, and despite being complicit in the law-breaking and recklessness of his predecessors, Rishi Sunak has been ushered in as leader behind closed doors.

Over the past 12 years the Conservatives have crashed the economy at home and tarnished our reputation overseas.

It is outrageous that we are now expected to sit quietly and welcome in a new era of austerity under the leadership of a Prime Minister who no one voted for.

As shadow city minister, I have been working closely with my Labour colleagues to develop a serious plan for green growth that will deliver for workers across industries and throughout the country.

Our plan proves that there is an alternative to austerity, and the potential for a brighter, stable and more prosperous future ahead.

That is why I am demanding a general election, which will give the British people the chance to consider this plan and allow them to elect a leader who will deliver in the national interest. 

Tulip Siddiq is Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn.