A DORSET MP says he is "pleased" to see Boris Johnson step down after losing confidence in him as local leaders start to bid on who they feel would be a fitting replacement to take over as Prime Minister.

Boris Johnson stepped down from his role as Prime Minister yesterday following a series of resignations at the heart of Government following protracted controversy surrounding Boris Johnson and Chris Pincher.

Conservative MPs in the region were split in their support for the Prime Minister. Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, says it was "in the interest of the country" for Boris Johnson to step down, whilst Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, said he backed the PM to stay at No.10 and was 'shocked' by the way members of parliament turned their back on him. 

Mr Loder publicly announced he’d lost confidence in the Prime Minister early on Wednesday morning and said the decision was based on an erosion of “trust and confidence.”

In response to the news that the Prime Minister was resigning, Mr Loder told the Echo: “I’m pleased the PM has decided to step down. It is in the interests of the country and of West Dorset that he has done.”

He will remain as Prime Minister until a successor is in place, expected to be by the time of the Conservative Party conference in October.

In his statement to the public yesterday. Boris Johnson confirmed his replacement will get his full backing and expressed his disappointment in leaving the "best job in the world".

Chief Executive of Dorset Chamber which represents businesses in the county, Ian Girling, said the country needs "stability and leadership" following "uncertainty" experienced under Boris Johnson's leadership.

Mr Girling said: “It is clear that Boris Johnson’s position had become untenable.

“The country and businesses need stability and leadership with a unified approach at a time when the economy is facing major challenges with record high inflation, rising prices and a cost of living crisis.

“The last thing both businesses and the public need is the level of uncertainty which we have witnessed recently so it is important that the Conservative Party pushes on and elects a new leader as quickly as feasibly possible.

“With his knowledge of the economy and businesses, I would assume that Rishi Sunak would be a serious contender for the position of Prime Minister.”

Dorset Councillor Louie O’Leary says he will be backing David Davis for prime minister, if he decides to stand.

Cllr O’Leary, who is the council’s youngest councillor, and by his own admission on the right of the Conservative Party, said he was pleased to hear of the Prime Minister’s resignation although he said the flamboyant Mr Johnson had been good ‘in some respects’ for the country, including winning the Brexit vote.

Speaking during a break at a planning meeting in County Hall Cllr O’Leary said: “David Davies would be a good choice for next leader, he’s widely respected and very experienced.”

The former foreign office minister was also the minister responsible for exiting the European Union between 2016 and 2018.