DORSET’S Tory MPs either stood up to support Theresa May in the confidence vote tonight - or they pretty much went radio silent - giving a clear indication they wanted her gone.

Theresa May’s chief backer was North Dorset MP, Simon Hoare. 

He said: “I am supporting her. I think it’s terribly self-indulgent and I think people have taken leave of their senses and members of the public will be looking on with a great pair of raised eyebrows saying ‘what the hell is going on’ what are they hoping to achieve, this is a toddlers tantrum that we are dealing with and it’s got to stop.”

He said it wasn’t a case of Mrs May ‘surviving’ but: “the question is will she win? Yes, she will win and under the rules of the party another leadership election cannot be triggered for another 12 months.

"So they will have shot their fox and part of the problem is that we have people who are mixing up worries over Brexit with what is personal animosity to the Prime Minister they have allowed their personal animosity, either because she didn’t give them the job, they weren’t offered a job, they had a job and she took it off them and they are allowing their personal animus to cloud their judgement and I think the party as a whole and the country at large will look upon them pretty poorly.

“People don’t want all this.”

He said he’d be spending the day drumming up support for the PM.

Speaking to Sky News earlier, he added: "I know it is the Christmas period but the leadership of the country is not a toy for people to be playing with.

"I would urge my colleagues to grow up; the country will be looking askance at this.

"I think she will (survive it) but if she doesn't Article 50 will have to be extended. This is a long process."

Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson said earlier he did not send a letter to the 1922 Committee 'because it was not required'.

He later told the Daily Echo he would "not be supporting the Prime Minister tonight".

"I have long admired the strength, stamina and determination of our Prime Minister, but I cannot see a way forward under her leadership.

"We need a new leader with a fresh vision and energy to unlock the current stalemate."

He added: “A general election is virtually certain when the DUP withdraw support over the threat to the Union and, therefore, Brexit.

“It is with sure certainty, but sincere regret and a heavy heart, that I will not be supporting the PM tonight.”

Dorset South MP Richard Drax, who was intending to vote against the Brexit withdrawal agreement, said this afternoon he would not be making any comment but would “see which way the wind blows tonight”.

Meanwhile another fervent leaver, Bournemouth West’s Conor Burns who is generally regarded as Boris Johnson’s closest adviser in the Commons simply tweeted:

Christchurch MP, Sir Chris Chope, a staunch Brexiter, made no public statement. 

However immediately after the vote, Sir Chris’ close parliamentary ally and right winger, Jacob Rees-Mogg told the Prime Minister she go to the Queen and tender her resignation.

It was not clear if Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, had the likes of Sir Chris, Mr Burns or Mr Drax in mind when he said the vote would “flush out the extremists.”