In a statement issued from his office tonight Nicholas Soames, Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex said; “I am truly thrilled at the magnificent victory of David Cameron announced this afternoon. It is an overwhelming vote of confidence by the Party and will enable him to stamp his authority on direction and policy.

“I was one of David Cameron’s earliest backers and he has been a close friend of mine for many years and I believe that he will be an outstanding and dynamic leader and provide direction, understanding and new ideas for a Conservative Party that I believe will win power at the next election. This is tremendous and I send to him my warmest congratulations on behalf of myself and the Mid Sussex Conservative Association and the many people who are not members of the Party who have expressed their support for David’s ideas.”