Blackburn MP Kate Hollern has condemned new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as lacking a 'mandate to govern'.

The Labour backbencher was reacting to the former chancellor being given the keys to 10 Downing Street without a Tory party members poll.

Rossendale and Darwen MP and Conservative chairman Sir Jake Berry led calls for party unity and predicted the new leader could still win the next General Election.

Mrs Hollern said: "The Conservative Party are now imposing another Prime Minister, the third one this year, on the British people. It is a shambles and must be brought to an end. We need a General Election now.

"Rishi Sunak lacks the mandate to govern and the Conservatives have lost all credibility.

"While avoiding a vote of the Tory Party membership across the country, who have already rejected Sunak once, may help to stabilise government it's very disappointing to see that Tory MPs are putting their jobs before the good of the country and our democracy. "

Sir Jake said: "Congratulations to Rishi Sunak on becoming the new leader of our party and our next Prime Minister.

"The Conservative Party must unite behind our new Prime Minister to take the fight to the Labour Party and win a historic fifth term in government."

Hyndburn Tory MP Sara Britcliffe said: "We must now unite and work together to deal with the challenges the country faces."

Ribble Valley Tory MP and deputy speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans said: "The Parliamentary party has given its verdict by endorsing one candidate for leader.

"I believe people regardless of party political persuasions will wish him success in the coming years in order for him to tackle the unprecedented problems facing this country.

"As long as he has the confidence of the Commons he will continue until the end of the Parliamentary term or until he decides to call an election."

Burnley Conservative backbencher Antony Higginbotham said: "As Chancellor Rishi helped us get the Pioneer Place project off the ground, delivered more than £20 million through the Levelling Up Fund, and worked incredibly hard to ensure our businesses and jobs locally could get through Covid through schemes like furlough.

"Whilst I had hoped to see Boris put his name forward to stand, I respect his decision not to do so.

"Rishi has my total support in addressing the challenges ahead."

Pendle MP and levelling up minister Andrew Stephenson who led calls for Boris Johnson to stand for the job was unavailable for comment.