LOCAL MPs and business leaders have been reacting to the announcement of Boris Johnson as the new leader Conservative Party and Prime Minister.

Boris Johnson was the clear winner of the Tory leadership election, securing almost double the number of votes his opponent Jeremy Hunt received.

In his victory speech, Johnson vowed to deliver Brexit and unite the country.

He said: “I know we can do it and the people of this country are trusting in us to do it.

“We are going to energise Britain and get Brexit done. We will believe in ourselves to awaken this sleeping giant and unite this amazing country.

“I will work flat out. The campaign is over and the hard work begins now.”

A spokesperson for Bradford Chamber of Commerce said: “Our message to the new Prime Minister is very simple.

“The time for campaigning is over, and now we need you to get down to business.

“Companies need to know what the new government will do to avoid a messy, disorderly Brexit as this will bring disruption yo our trade around the world.

“We need to see swift action on practical, live issues currently holding businesses back.

“Through the national Chamber network we will be helping to set out more detailed steps and measures we feel would help to rebuild confidence in coming days and weeks.

“We are ready and willing to work with the new government to make these measures a reality, but we will also hold them to account for delivery.”

Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley, said: “I am delighted Boris has won and by such a convincing margin.

“I hope now the Party gets behind him and allows him to deliver Brexit by October 31.

“He has made it clear throughout he wants to see more regional transport infrastructure and deliver the Northern Powerhouse.

“He also wants to see more police and more money to schools outside London, and I will hold his feet to the fire on these issues.”

Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South, added: “I congratulate Boris Johnson and wish him luck as Prime Minister.

“Tackling the great injustices of our nation should be top of the agenda, but that won’t happen under a Johnson premiership.

“Neither will he address the growing North-South divide that continues to favour London. Only a General Election and a Labour Government will tackle these inequalities and build a fairer Britain.”

John Grogan, Labour MP for Keighley and Ilkley, said: “I am very apprehensive about where a Boris Johnson premiership might lead us.

“Despite deep political differences I always respected previous Tory Prime Ministers like Theresa May, David Cameron and John Major for their sense of duty to the nation.

“I fear that Mr Johnson lacks a clear moral compass and looks primarily towards his own interests. I hope I am proved wrong.”

Northern thinktank IPPR’s senior research fellow Luke Raikes said: “Consumed by the chaos of Brexit, Theresa May’s government de-prioritised devolution and overlooked the Northern Powerhouse agenda when we needed it most.

“A new government cannot make the same mistake.

“The UK is the most centralised country in the developed world, and this has had negative consequences for Northerners and Londoners alike.

“Our new Prime Minister must now follow through on promises to invest in the North.”