Local MPs show their support for Theresa May

That is the message from local MPs following this evening's (Wednesday December 12) Tory leadership vote which saw 200 MPs backing Theresa May while 117 MPs voted no confidence in their current leader.

Secretary of State for International Development and Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt gave her support to Mrs May earlier in the day.

She tweeted: '˜Prime Minister wins confidence motion with 63 per cent of the vote.

'˜Now let's crack on with getting the changes we need to the deal on offer and press on with no deal preparations. We are leaving the EU in 15 weeks.'

Ms Mordaunt was a favourite to take over as leader if the prime minister had been voted out but under the rules, Mrs May can now not be challenged for 12 months.

Speaking in Downing Street Mrs May told reporters: '˜This has been a long and challenging day, but at the end of it I'm pleased to have received the backing of my colleagues in tonight's ballot.

'˜Whilst I'm grateful for that support, a significant number of colleagues did cast a vote against me, and I have listened to what they said.'

Mrs May also explained a Brexit which '˜brings the country back together rather than entrenching division' was needed.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage and Havant MP Alan Mak were also among those who publicly backed Mrs May.

Mr Mak described the vote as '˜a welcome victory for the prime minister'.

He added: '˜Now we must get on with the job of delivering a successful Brexit and our domestic priorities including a strong economy.

'˜I voted for the prime minster because this is not the right time to change leader whilst discussions with the EU are ongoing.'

Fareham MP Suella Braverman resigned last month from the Department of Exiting the European Union stating she could not support the deal that was agreed by the Cabinet but made no public indication regarding yesterday's vote.

The News contacted both Mrs Braverman and Ms Dinenage for comments.

Education secretary and MP for East Hampshire Damian Hinds told PA the Prime Minister was '˜batting for Britain and we need to be batting with her'.

He said: '˜This was a very clear result, a very clear margin in the parliamentary Conservative party.'

Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg told the Press Association Mrs May should resign '˜as soon as the Queen has a moment in her diary to see her.'

Labour Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan told The News that today's Tory leadership vote had been a waste of time.

He said: '˜It has been an extraordinary week in Parliament and another chaotic day for the Tory government.

'˜This leadership challenge has done nothing but detract from what is important, getting a Brexit deal that works for the whole country.

'˜The prime minister has lost authority whilst people's jobs and living standards are at risk. Whichever way they voted, people in Portsmouth did not vote to be poorer.'

In response to the outcome of the vote, Mr Morgan added: '˜At a time of constitutional crisis, what the country needs is the prime minister to put her deal to the vote or make way for those who will negotiate a deal that is in the national interest.'