TWO Gloucestershire MPs have seen eye to eye on the Conservative leadership contest – with both offering their support to frontrunner Theresa May.

Stroud MP Neil Carmichael and Cotswolds MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown announced their support for the Home Secretary shortly before she earned a massive majority in the first round of voting on Tuesday.

Mr Clifton-Brown, who supported campaigns to leave the European Union in the recent referendum, said: “I would have preferred a Brexit candidate but at the moment I want the person who will be the best prime minister. We have to make sure she delivers on leaving the European Union but Theresa has explicitly said that she accepts she must abide by the public’s decision.

“There are a lot of people who are very worried they’re going to be chucked out of the country at the moment. We need to offer reassurance to those people – and businesses – that there is a good future in this country and that the world is not going to stop.”

Mr Carmichael said: “I think she is the one who will be able to get us the best deal and protect our economic interests. I also like her approach to education and think she would help us improve social mobility.”

“I have watched her as Home Secretary and the way she has dealt with some challenging issues with the European Union.

“These will be challenging negotiations and I think she is the right person to lead them.”

Mrs May soared to the lead when the first votes were counted on Tuesday. She received 165 of 329 votes cast by Tory MPs. Andrea Leadsom came second with 66 and Michael Gove received 48.

Liam Fox was eliminated in fifth place.

Stephen Crabb came fourth and dropped out.

Both have since thrown the weight behind Mrs May.