Tatton's MP has said it should not have taken 56 ministers resigning to force the Prime Minister’s hand and make him quit.

Esther McVey also said she wants to see the crisis of living tackled and VAT cut from fuel immediately.

Referring to Boris Johnson’s decision yesterday to resign, Ms McVey said: “The past few days have been a tragic farce and it should not have taken 56 ministers resigning in a 24 hour period to force the Prime Minister’s hand.

"It had become clear in recent weeks a change was needed and, as a party, we needed a new leader who could get on with the job of delivering for my constituents and the country.

“Boris was the leader to get Brexit done and he delivered on the people’s vote. However, when a Prime Minister’s ability to govern is over, and they have lost the support of the majority of their colleagues, it is time to go. The country needs decisive leadership.”

The Conservative MP said the coming days will see her colleagues set out their pitches to become party leader and Prime Minister and ‘what I will be looking for is a clear vision and promises to deliver on true Conservative values’.

“I want to see the cost of living crisis tackled and more money in people’s pockets through tax cuts, a reduction in regulatory burdens for businesses and VAT from fuel cut immediately,” said Ms McVey.

“I also want the future leader to have a clear passion for delivering in the north through the levelling up agenda to ensure equal opportunities for all.

“One area I want them to consider is tax incentives for businesses to relocate to the north.

“I will of course also be re-iterating my call to the new leader to scrap HS2 and instead deliver on a full Northern Powerhouse Rail programme across the north and high speed broadband across the country.”

The Tatton MP added: “A new leader must now rebuild public trust and show they have the integrity to lead and delivering on a true Conservative agenda that the country voted for in 2019.”