COLCHESTER MP Will Quince is publicly backing Theresa May to become the next Conservative Party leader.

The Home Secretary is standing against Michael Gove, Andrea Leadsom, Liam Fox and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb.

Mr Quince met with all the candidates, including Boris Johnson, who was widely tipped to stand in the last few days.

The Tory MP said: "Since the close of nominations, I have given much thought as to who I believe is the best person to become the next leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister.

"The way our system works is that MPs vote until there are only two candidates from which Conservative Party members decide.

"Out of those standing, I have been most impressed by two candidates - Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom.

"I met with both of them on Thursday and found them to be inspiring with great ideas and plans for the future.

"However, I had to choose who I wanted to become Party Leader and Prime Minister. For me, that person is Theresa May.

"Theresa May has been an exceptional Home Secretary, holding that post for six years - the longest serving for 50 years.

"She has proven herself to be competent, calm under pressure and extremely capable."

He added: "With important Brexit negotiations to work on and a manifesto to deliver, I am confident that Theresa May is the safe pair of hands that our country needs at this time.

"I also believe she has the ability to reunite the Conservative Party and heal the divisions in our country."

Mrs May launched Mr Quince's election campaign in Colchester last year and has visited the town three times in the last two years.

North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin has backed Energy Secretary Andrea Leadsom’ to become the next Prime Minister to give the country a “fresh start”.

He said although he had considered backing fellow vocal Brexiteer Michael Gove, he has opted for the South Northamptonshire MP because she will “deliver what the British people voted for in the EU referendum”.

He added: “She has 25 years of commercial and business experience in the financial sector.

“She has worked in large organisations responsible for managing many people.

“She has proved she has the grit to deal with both the immediate crisis and the way ahead for our country out of the EU.”

Mr Jenkin added he also admired Mrs Leadsom’s “passion for improving the lives of ordinary people”.

A new leader is expected to be in place by September - a month before the annual Conservative Party conference.

Maldon MP John Whittingdale has announced his backing for Michael Gove, saying: "I have long been an admirer of Michael Gove, who has been a consistently powerful conservative voice and has shown that he is a man of principal and conviction.

"I believe that he is best able to unite the Conservative Party and the country and to ensure that we take full advantage of the new opportunities that are now open to us."

Witham MP Priti Patel is yet to declare her support.

Mrs May, who declared she would create a 'Ministry for Brexit' if she becomes Prime Minister, is the bookmakers' 2/5 favourite, followed by Andrea Leadsom at 4/1.