Prime Minister's resignation is a '˜tragedy', says Northampton North MP

The Prime Minister made the announcement during an emotional speech from Downing Street this morning.

Mr Cameron said he was not the right “captain to take the country to its next destination” and announced he would hope to have a new premier in place by the Conservative party conference in October.

Northampton North MP Michael Ellis said he was saddened by the leader’s decision to resign.

He said: “I think it is a tragedy that he has stood down.

“It is understandable that he was not universally popular - but no politician is.

“But he was someone who could build bridges rather than walls.”

Opposition leaders described the Vote Leave campaign as a “right-wing takeover” in the run up to the vote.

But Mr Ellis said he did not fear the Tories lurching to the right with a change of leadership.

He said: “We are the longest running political party in the world.

“We will continue to do so by taking a position that reflects the will of the public.”

Mr Ellis had supported the Remain campaign in the run up to yesterday’s vote and said the country now needs to “re-unite” in the wake of the result to leave.

He paid tribute to David Cameron by saying he has been a “brilliant Prime Minister” during his six-year term in office.

But Mr Ellis would not be drawn on who he thinks should succeed the party leader.

“At the moment my focus is on David Cameron and the fact that he is no longer the leader,” he said.