MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, is calling for the premiership transition to happen "as swiftly as possible".

The Conservative MP was one of the first to submit a letter of no confidence into the Prime Minister.

She will now be part of a process to elect the new leader of the Tory party who will replace Boris Johnson as prime minister.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Mrs Nokes said: “I want to see the transition happen as swiftly as possible.

“I've consistently said I think Dominic Raab could have stepped up and stood in as prime minister in the intervening period.”

She added: “I've only been an MP since 2010. And I've already seen this happen twice before.

“In both those circumstances when David Cameron went and then when Theresa May stepped down that was because there was a policy challenge.

“It's very different with Boris Johnson, he has lost the confidence of the Conservative Party over his own personal integrity.

“And so I think there are questions, legitimate questions as to whether he should continue in the role for until such time as we have a new prime minister, but if we can achieve that, within weeks rather than within months, then I think we have to focus on that.

“We should focus on the leadership contest and just get it underway and then over and done with as soon as possible.”


Read more: Residents call for 'honesty' and 'integrity' as Boris Johnson resigns


Boris Johnson agreed to resign yesterday following a string of resignations from his own MPs.

In a speech outside Number 10, Mr Johnson said he regretted failing to convince his Cabinet that changing leader would be “eccentric”.

“I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them’s the breaks,” he said.

His resignation comes after former Chancellor Rishi Sunak and former health secretary Sajid Javid quit their Cabinet roles on Tuesday in the wake of the Chris Pincher scandal.

Their actions paved the way for dozens of MPs to follow suit.


Read more: Three MPs from Hampshire who could land the top job


Asked if senior civil servant Simon Case can keep Mr Johnson in check along with cabinet members, she added: “I think the Conservative party in parliament has sent a very powerful message to Boris Johnson, that we can't have his previous behaviours from him.

“We wouldn't tolerate that. And so I think the cabinet should be able to act with confidence and vigour. I think Simon Case also recognises he is now overseeing a process that is just the caretaker Prime Minister for a few short weeks.

“We have to we have to focus on the future, we have to focus on uniting as a Conservative party and we have to focus on managing the economy, getting the economy moving again, recovering from Covid, making sure that there is sufficient assistance and resources put into the effort in Ukraine.

“These are massive, massive priorities and I'm sure that they can cabinet will be focusing on them over the course of next few weeks.”

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