The chair of Congleton Constituency Liberal Democrats claims the leadership contest was "ill-mannered" and "acidic".

And he says only time will tell whether Liz Truss will 'deliver' on anything other than "climbing the slippery pole of political advancement".

Alsager Town Council chair, Councillor Philip Williams, chair of Congleton Constituency Liberal Democrats, made the comments after it was announced that Liz Truss had won the leadership battle.

Cllr Williams said if he had had the choice, he would have chosen Rishi Sunak as "the lesser of two evils".

Liz Truss will be the country's third female Prime Minister after achieving 57 per cent of the votes over her opponent Rishi Sunak who achieved 43 per cent.

Cllr Williams said: "The result of the Conservative Party leadership contest was not only 'the longest job interview in history' as acknowledged by the winner, Liz Truss, but also entirely predictable.

Cllr Phil Williams

"Her majority may not have been as large as anticipated but demonstrates the success of her strategy, to court neo-Thatcherite elements within the 172,000 membership of a party already lurching to the right."

Cllr Williams says Liz Truss has consistently demonstrated that she has "her eye on the main chance" and sets her sails "to catch whatever wind blows to her advantage".

"She rapidly abandoned the left-wing traditions of her Scottish family and the liberalism of her youth to court support from the most reactionary elements of the Conservative Party," added Cllr Williams.

"She has even conveniently declared herself a 'born again Brexiter' despite her previous stance as a Remainer. 'Deliver, deliver, deliver,' is her mantra. Stand and deliver, more like.

"The Conservative Party's ability to maintain resilience and party unity is matched only by the consistency with which it fails to deliver on its bottomless promises.

"The Conservative leadership contest was ill-mannered and acidic, and acknowledged as such by many Party members and councillors.

"Yes, politicians are entitled to change their minds and shift position, but in this case it smacks too much of naked careerism and personal ambition.

"We will see whether Truss will 'deliver' on anything other than climbing the slippery pole of political advancement.

"Had I the choice, I would have gone for Sunak as the lesser of two evils.

"The only crumb of comfort I can see now is the boost Truss may give to the opposition parties. Delivering the end of Conservative misrule would be a welcome outcome."