Newbury MP disagrees with calls for snap general election
Richard Benyon reacts to news Theresa May will become Prime Minister
NEWBURY MP Richard Benyon has disagreed with calls for a snap general election this autumn following the news that Theresa May will become UK Prime Minister.
Mrs May will be handed the keys to number 10 Downing Street when David Cameron steps down on Wednesday.
Earlier today Andrea Leadsom pulled out of the race to become Conservative leader leaving Mrs May as the only remaining candidate.
And Mr Benyon feels now is not the right time to hold a general election with the issue of Britain's departure from the European Union still to be negotiated.
Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News he said: “I think what we need to do is to wait
“We need to set out how we are going to do this.
“We need to have a clear view about how we are going to continue to engage with our nearest neighbours, how we can continue to function with them.
“How we can keep our people safe and give them a chance of prosperity in the future.
“When that’s settled then of course we need to put this to the public.
“We will need a government election – maybe in one year or two years, certainly in the next four years, but I don’t think people should expect it straight away.”
Having backed Mrs May in the leadership contest Mr Benyon said it is now time for the Government to get back to the job at hand following the referendum.
“This now allows a new government to be put in place to start the difficult job of extricating us from the European Union,” he said.
“But there is also educational reform, changes to the criminal justice system and also the matter of financing our health service.
“All of this requires a serious government for serious times.
“I think Theresa has been faultless in how she has been, faultless in how she has put her message across.
“Places like West Berkshire have had prosperity, however there are people beyond that, people who deserve their time in the sun as well, and it’s vital we have that very clear ‘one nation’ message that Theresa has put forward in the last few days.”
