PHILIP DAVIES has thrown his weight behind Esther McVey in the Tory leadership race after Prime Minister Theresa May announced yesterday that she would be stepping down on June 7.

The Shipley MP said his partner had a good chance of becoming the next leader of the Conservative Party.

And he confirmed that the couple are to be married, saying that they are planning a wedding in 2020.

Referring to an article in a national newspaper saying the pair would get hitched at some point, he said: “It is true, we are going to get married.

“We are looking at September next year.”

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Mr Davies said he welcomed Mrs May’s announcement having being one of the first Tory MPs to submit a letter of no confidence in her.

He said: “I’m highly delighted. I submitted a vote of no confidence letter in July so it’s been 10 months, quite a long wait. And I voted against her too.

“It has been going from bad to worse under her leadership.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Esther McVey Secretary of State for Work and Pensions visits Mcmillian helpline in Shipley with Local MP Philip DaviesEsther McVey Secretary of State for Work and Pensions visits Mcmillian helpline in Shipley with Local MP Philip Davies

He confirmed that Ms McVey, who he invited to Shipley last year when she was Work and Pensions Secretary, will stand in the leadership race.

“It looks like it will be a very open contest. I don’t think anyone has a knock-out number of MPs behind them.”

He said he thought his colleagues would be more inclined to take their time in this leadership contest compared to when Mrs May was chosen.

“Most people say if Boris Johnson gets through he would be the favourite but we shall see.”

Mr Davies’ fellow Bradford district MPs also welcomed Mrs May’s departure.

Naz Shah (Lab, Bradford West) said: “It has been clear that the Prime Minister has failed to govern and command a majority in Parliament since her first withdrawal agreement was published. Yet, she has continued to cling to No10 for the interests of her party.

“She failed to deliver Brexit because she put the interests of her party before the people of this country. In such an important time in British politics, we simply can not have an unelected Prime Minister and we must now have a General Election.”

John Grogan (Lab, Keighley), said: “I have always thought Theresa May had a strong sense of duty towards our country.

“She did her very best but clearly had politically reached the end of the road.

“I am sceptical whether any alternative Tory Prime Minister will be able to unite the Conservative Party much less the country.”

Judith Cummins (Lab, Bradford South) said: “I welcome that the Prime Minister has resigned as it has been clear for some time now that she is unable to lead the country forward.

"Whilst leadership is difficult, she has left the UK in a worse position than when she came into office, when we all hoped for so much more.”