THE first of Swindon's two MPs has backed a contender in the race to become the next Prime Minister.

Robert Buckland has given his support to the Home Secretary, Theresa May.

Retweeting her campaign announcement, the South Swindon MP said: "A serious candidate for serious times. Time for Theresa May."

Like Mrs May, Robert Buckland was a supporter of Britain remaining in the EU, a distinction which has so far been at the heart of the drama around the leadership contest.

Announcing her candidacy earlier, she said: "My pitch is very simple. My name is Theresa May and I think I'm the best person to be prime minister of this country."

In her speech, she talked about how important it was that the Conservative party fought for everyone in society and not just the privileged few, she recalled her upbringing as the daughter of a vicar and the granddaughter of a regimental sergeant major that she says inspired her to serve.

She also said it was important that the country's decision in last week's EU referendum was respected and ruled out the prospect of a second referendum or any attempt to remain within the European Union.

She also ruled out the prospect of an early General Election despite calls for the Conservatives to seek a renewed democratic mandate with Brexit having so irreversibly changed the political landscape.

It was widely expected that Theresa May's main challenger would be the prominent Brexiteer Boris Johnson, however a serious of dramatic twists culminated in him announcing this afternoon that he would not be standing.

The rest of the field now consists of Michael Gove, Liam Fox, Andrea Leadsom and Stephen Crabb.

MPs will now vote in a series of ballots until two candidates remain - they will then be put to Conservative Party members in a postal vote.

The MP for North Swindon, Justin Tomlinson, has not yet backed a candidate.

Following the earlier surprise withdrawal of Boris Johnson, he tweeted: "We replicate England and miss a massive open goal. Boris is a winner, but now not our winner."

After the field of candidates had been confirmed, he tweeted: "Okay... Dust down... Much to ponder. Crabb impressive to work with, May experienced and steady.

"My hunch there will be decisive winner in the first ballot, then quickly everyone will rally round.

"I want a decisive winner next week, when that happens the other candidates should rally around. With Labour AWOL the country needs stability."