CONSERVATIVE party leaders in South Cumbria have backed Boris Johnson as the favourite for Number 10.

The former Home Secretary emerged as the clear winner of a secret ballot of Tory MPs and is the bookies’ favourite to become Prime Minister.

And shadow opposition Tories on councils in Barrow, South Lakeland and Cumbria have all named the controversial 54-year-old as the candidate capable of sorting Brexit, and uniting the party and country, they said.

Cllr Hazel Edwards, who heads the Conservative opposition group on Labour-run Barrow Council, said Mr Johnson had broad appeal.

“He’s straight-talking, he can relate to the man and woman on the street, and is aware of where the north starts – unlike some southern politicians,” she said.

Of his reputation, she regarded him as someone unafraid to tell it like it is, although his comments were often “misrepresented,” she said.

“The fact that the Europeans don’t want him as Prime Minister is a strong point for me, because it means they are bothered by him,” said Cllr Edwards.

“They treated Theresa May appallingly but will have a totally different attitude towards Boris,” she said.

Urswick’s councillor James Airey, opposition leader of the Conservative group on Cumbria County Council, backed Mr Johnson and also supports former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, who he met at last summer’s Conservative conference in Birmingham.

Mr Raab impressed him with his ideas for reforming the party and his values around “social mobility and true Conservatism,” said Cllr Airey.

Mr Johnson had a “proven track record” for high office after stints as London Mayor and Foreign Secretary, he added.

“We need someone who will get Brexit delivered so we can get back to the national agenda,” said Cllr Airey.” “We could drop out with no deal, and it shouldn’t be ruled out. I hope we don’t, but it’s a real possibility.”

Despite Brexit being stalled, Cllr Airey does not believe that either the Conservatives or Labour would risk calling a General Election.

“We have Nigel Farage and the Brexit Party to thank for that,” said Cllr Airey.

Cllr Tom Harvey, shadow leader of South Lakeland District Council, said Mr Johnson had a high standing among grassroots party members who will cast their votes this summer.

“Right now the country needs a leader and whether you love or loathe him, he does have those qualities and appeals to a wide spectrum of the electorate. No politician is perfect and he is used to dealing with countries, states and continents on a massive scale,” said Cllr Harvey.

However, the prospect of Mr Johnson as PM does not enthuse everybody.

A  Barrow and Furness Labour Party spokesman said: “He is a self-important, irresponsible egomaniac who is strongly inclined to take us out of the European Union without a deal, regardless of the damage that will do to the people of our nation. Those characteristics are often held in high regard by the average Tory MP.”