DORSET’S re-elected MPs have said it’s time for Prime Minister Theresa May to get on with the business of governing the country and Brexit negotiations – as they knuckle down to continue working for the county.

It comes after Mrs May's General Election gamble backfired disastrously, resulting in the Conservatives losing their parliamentary majority and a hung parliament.

Following an audience with the Queen yesterday, Mrs May said she would seek to lead a minority government supported by the Democratic Unionists (DUP).

"What the country needs more than ever is certainty, and having secured the largest number of votes and the greatest number of seats, it is clear that only the Conservative and Unionist Party has the legitimacy and ability to provide that certainty by commanding a majority in the House of Commons," she said in a statement on the steps of No 10.

It was a shock result, which kick-started speculation over Theresa May’s future as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party.

Jeremy Corbyn, who hailed Labour's 'incredible result' of 261 seats and had called for Mrs May to resign.

Richard Drax, who was re-elected as MP for South Dorset, appealed for calm among his fellow Conservative MPs and said that Mrs May should be allowed to get on with the job of governing the country.

He said “I am not going to criticise the PM. She took a gamble and it didn’t pay off."

He added: “What I think we need to do now is rally around her and produce a government for the good of all.”

Mr Drax admitted he was disappointed by the election result, but he was delighted to be elected MP for South Dorset for a third time.

He said: “I am hugely honoured. It is an immense privilege and one I thoroughly enjoy.”

On Brexit, Mr Drax did not think the hung parliament would bring any significant disruption to the Britain’s negotiations with the EU.

He said: “I don’t think it’s going to affect it that much.”

However, he conceded that in an ideal world it would have been better for the Conservatives to have gained a larger number of seats.

Mr Drax said he wanted to work with local businesses and local politicians from all parties to help get together a long-term plan to bring growth and prosperity to South Dorset.

He added: “What we need is to have a vision. We need people to back that vision and then we need to fight for that vision together.”

West Dorset MP Sir Oliver Letwin said: "I have no doubt that – despite all the media excitement – Theresa May can now form a stable government on the basis of a lasting agreement with the DUP . And it is definitely in our national interest that this should happen, rather than plunging the country into the turmoil of further elections.

"Meanwhile, I shall get back to dealing with my constituency case-load on Monday – not just on behalf of the 33,000 constituents who voted for me, but on behalf of all West Dorset residents."

Asked what would be priority issues, Sir Oliver said: "Social care provision for the frail elderly and more housing for our young people come top of my agenda."

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Kevin Brookes also called for calm.

He said: “I am not one for knee-jerk reactions. I think Theresa May should stay where she is for now and wait until everything settles down.”

He added that he had confidence in Theresa May as leader of the Conservatives.

Cllr Brookes was very pleased with what the Conservatives achieved locally in South Dorset, but he had not expected the party to lose its majority in the House of Commons.

He said: “Nationally, the result was a little bit disappointing. I was not really expecting that.”

When he saw the exit poll at 10pm on Thursday, predicting a hung parliament and the Conservative Party losing seats, he refused to believe it was accurate.

He said: “I was convinced the exit polls were wrong.”

He added that as the night went on it became evident that the result was actually “spot on”.

On Richard Drax, Cllr Brookes said the re-elected MP for South Dorset should carry on his good work in the area.

He did not think the hung parliament would destabilise the Brexit negotiations, though he did say it would add “another dose of uncertainty” into the process.

He said: “I think we are already getting lots of comments from the EU. They must be rubbing their hands together over this.”

Businesses want strong leadership

THE business community has demanded strong leadership to tackle uncertainty in the wake of Thursday’s general election.

President of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce Andrew Knowles warned that uncertainty caused by a hung parliament could eventually hit local traders and businesses, if allowed to continue.

He said: “Many of the businesses in Weymouth and Portland are small, often family-run concerns that are sensitive to changes in the economic mood of the country. If the current uncertainty continues for too long, local firms could start to feel its negative impact as people become more cautious about spending.”

Mr Knowles also believes that new uncertainty over Brexit would mean that local firms which export abroad will want more clarity from the government on Europe.

He said: “I can't see that Brexit uncertainty will affect the businesses that support local tourism, at least for this year. However, local engineering companies and other firms that export will be keen to see more clarity about our future relationship with Europe.”

He added he was confident that Richard Drax, who was re-elected as MP for South Dorset, would continue to work hard to support local businesses and the wider community.

On a national level, he hopes the new government will listen to businesses and give them what they need to succeed.

He said: “We want the new government to deliver on pro-business manifesto promises, and to drive the improvements that business leaders are looking for, such as reforming business rates and making it easier for smaller firms to grow and flourish.”

The chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ian Girling said that business confidence should be a top priority for the new government.

He said: “What businesses in Dorset and further afield need right now is stability, especially on eve of incredibly important Brexit negotiations.

“The swift formation of a functioning administration that gives voters and business confidence around economic management must be the immediate priority.”

He also said that, while the new government will be focused on Brexit, he hoped it would “keep its eye on the ball” to ensure wider economic prospects do not suffer.

Mr Girling added: “Businesses are adept at forming alliances and coalitions when important interests are at stake. We should expect the same of our politicians."