Constituents of former Chancellor have their
AFTER Tuesday’s shock resignation of former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, The Gazette asked residents in and around Great Ayton, which is part of Mr Sunak’s constituency, their opinions on the latest scandal to appear out of Downing Street.
Edward Stephenson, 69, works at Petch Butcher’s in Great Ayton and was just as shocked by the latest revelations as the rest of the country. He was amongst the many who believed Mr Sunak could have been the next Prime Minister.
He said: “I was shocked more than anything, I thought perhaps Rishi Sunak would have been in the running for Prime Minister. Boris Johnson has his good points and his bad points but everyone’s always on his back, it can’t be easy.
“I think maybe it’s that Dominic Cummings stirring the pot a bit, I mean he was the first to break the rules and it’s just gotten worse
since then.”
Neil Heaton, 79, a retired Environmental Officer from Great Ayton was a fan of Mr Sunak and was disappointed to see him go.
He said: “I’m shocked and disappointed that he’s resigned, I was never over-enamoured with Boris Johnson or his policies.
“I believe that the Conservatives should have been far more charitable.”
We also spoke to Lynn Wilson, 69, originally from Sedgefield and she was devastated with how
things had turned out coming from a staunch Labour-supporting family and voting Conservative.
She said: “I was absolutely devastated to hear the news of Rishi’s resignation, I’ve been a big supporter of his over the years. I’ve never been a big fan of Boris’ but I put my faith in the party even though many of my family disagreed, I stuck to my opinion.
“I just feel betrayed, I know we’ve been through some horrific times and Boris Johnson has done some good, but as more and more
revelations came out the more I thought that they must have some substance. Who do we put our faith into now?”
Sarah Gibson, 46, a Heath Care Worker from the area said that Mr Sunak had made the right decision to resign from his role, adding: “He’s done the right thing in my opinion, I think if he’s continuing in politics then he should go for Prime Minister.
“However, to be fair to Boris, he hasn’t done too bad of a job and I don’t believe that anyone else
would have done any better – bar the lies.”
Melanie Dixon, 29, a carer for her elderly grandmother, was disappointed that Rishi Sunak had stepped down as Chancellor. After sending him an email regarding her stepdaughter’s school, Melanie was surprised at just how helpful and quick his reply was.
She added: “He was incredibly helpful when I contacted him and I’m disappointed to see him go but it is understandable. We need people we can trust in charge, change is needed otherwise we have no hope.
“Our country cannot be run on lies.” Christine King, who is retired, from Yarm, was happy to see the rug being pulled from under Mr Johnson’s feet, naming him the worst Prime Minister that this country has ever had. She was glad to hear that members of the Conservative Party were finally standing up to him.
“Good on them, it’s about time that people started to stand up to him and make their voices heard. I look forward to watching him panic during Prime Minister’s question time. He needed to leave months ago, he is an absolute joke and the worst Prime Minister that we have ever had.”
Guy Wallace, 35, a self-employed web designer was adamant that Mr Sunak and his fellow Conservatives should have stood up to Boris Johnson months ago while sharing his belief that Sajid Javid is planning on becoming Prime Minister in the future.
He added: “I have no time for Boris Johnson, I think he’s just a liar. As for Sunak, I don’t think he is a contender for Prime Minister as much as he’d like to think so. I think Sajid Javid is eyeing the role and that he’s gotten Rishi
Sunak on board by offering him the role of Chancellor again if he were to make it big.”
Denise Wheldon from the Great Ayton area was happy to share her opinions on the matter, claiming that no matter what happens, she’ll be happy as long as Boris Johnson steps down.
She added: “As long as him and that wife of his go then I’m happy, she’s been pulling more strings than him, she always has something to say and she’s always involved somehow.”