There is an unmistakable feeling of deja vu. The familiar wooden lectern just metres in front of No 10 Downing Street10 Downing Street, in central London, has been the official home of the UK prime minister since 1735. . The anxious flurry of cameras waiting for the historic black door to open. It is the second historic resignation in five months.

Commentators have been forecasting the brutal demise of Liz Truss for weeks already, but for many there is still a sense of shock. It is, say some, one of Britain's more inglorious episodes. Truss, perhaps hoping to make history as Britain's third female leader, will instead be recorded as its shortest-lived.

AlacritySpeed and eagerness. has become her signature move. Her resignation speech was just 89 seconds long. Minutes earlier she had notified the King of her departure.

At least her time was memorable. Truss spent 45 days with her finger on the nuclear button, overseeing political alliances during what is being called a "new Cold WarA period of diplomatic conflict between blocs led by the USA and the USSR that lasted from 1947 until 1991, when the USSR collapsed.". She was the last prime minister to receive the blessing of Britain's longest-serving late Queen. Her economic interventions sent the British pound plummeting to a record low against the US dollar.

Forty-five days of service would be a record low feat in any profession. It is almost exactly half of a school term. One third of the amount of time it took to film The Titanic. Fewer than two advent calendars. One quarter of the time it takes babies to grow teeth. "The worst PM we've ever had," declared the front page of one British newspaper this morning.

Truss spent more time campaigning to lead the Tory party than actually leading it. Now the contest's runner-up, Rishi Sunak, is counting his supporters. He is the front-runner in his second leadership contest of the autumn, followed by rivals Penny Mordaunt and even former PM Boris Johnson. The contest could conclude as soon as Monday.

Some are disputing the fairness of yet another Tory leadership election. Leaders are elected by Conservative Party membership of around 150,000 people, meaning the winner has endorsement from no more than 0.01% of the UK population.

This has led critics such as George MonbiotA columnist for The Guardian whose previous books include Feral: Searching for Enchantment on the Frontiers of Rewilding. to describe British democracy as only "skin deep". Many are demanding that the Conservative Party cede to the opposition and offer a general election.

There is demand: a recent petition demanding exactly that reached over 630,000 signatures, and both Labour leader Keir Starmer and Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon have cited the "revolving door of chaos" and "utter shambles" of the Conservatives as valid reasons to hand power over to the people.¹

Others argue exceptional circumstances. Since the Tories won the last general election in 2019, we have seen a pandemic, war and economic crisis. The policies upon which they were elected may no longer reflect the people's will.²

But many in the Conservative party believe a strong new leader could subdue worries in the markets. A general election, they say, would only lead to more weeks of chaos.

Yes: It is absurd to cycle through leaders like this whilst the people remain powerless to have their say. The Conservative party is falling apart at the seams, and it needs to renew its mandate.

No: The UK is a parliamentary democracy, under which we have an Act which states that elected parties should have a tenure of five years in power. We have seen many changes in governing leaders which have not triggered a general election, and this should not be an exception.

Or... We should sit tight and await the results of the next leadership election. A general election, which will further disturb our economy and create yet more instability, should be a last resort.