Gosport MP says debate is only way Tory leadership winner can lead country

It comes as Theresa May won yesterday’s ballot with 165 votes.

Ms Dinenage voted for the home secretary who emerged frontrunner in the leadership fight.

But the Gosport MP said there should not be a ‘coronation.’

‘I am pleased that Theresa May won yesterday’s ballot with 165 of the 329 votes cast,’ she said.

‘This is a clear indication that MPs, myself included, believe she is the best person to lead Britain out of the European Union, unify our country and party and deliver on the manifesto that the Conservative party was elected on only a year ago.

‘Despite her clear popularity among MPs, there should be no ‘coronation’ - the party and the country deserve a full debate about the future.

‘This is the only way that the winner will have a clear mandate to lead and undertake the difficult task of negotiating our exit from the European Union.’

As previously reported in The News, Portsmouth South MP Flick Drummond, Havant MP Alan Mak, Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery and East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds all support Mrs May.

Portsmouth North MP supports pro-Brexit Andrea Leadsom who won 66 votes. Fareham MP Suella Fernandes supports Michael Gove who got 48 votes.

Another ballot will be held tomorrow. The final two candidates will then be put to the Conservative Party’s 150,000 members.