HEALTH Secretary and South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt has backed Theresa May to become the next Prime Minister after ruling himself out of the Tory leadership race.

Mr Hunt said he was “strongly considering” standing for the leadership earlier this week following Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to resign in the wake of the Brexit vote.

However, following a “proactive discussion” with May on Wednesday evening, he joined Boris Johnson in announcing he would not be standing in the Conservative leadership contest.

Mr Hunt said in a statement: "I have decided that now is not the right time for me to run for the leadership - though I remain completely committed to ensuring we secure our position as a great trading nation with sensible controls on migration. 

“I believe that Theresa May has the strength, judgement and values to deliver those things. She is the right choice to lead Britain in a challenging period and will make a truly outstanding Prime Minister.”

Speaking to The Herald earlier this week, Mr Hunt urged that Article 50 to start the process of leaving should be delayed until a new Conservative prime minister had been elected to negotiate terms to stay in the single market and put them to the people.

“On Friday the country took the hugely significant decision to leave the European Union and now that the people have spoken, Parliament needs to listen,” he said. 

“Britain must and will leave the EU, but my focus now is how we determine our best national future. I believe that we must preserve our status as the world’s greatest trading nation by remaining in the single market; that brings jobs and prosperity but also underpins our status as an open, liberal society.

“By negotiating with EU leaders before we invoke Article 50, we can get a deal which addresses concerns on immigration and freedom of movement rules, one which we can then ask the British people for their democratic endorsement of. I am determined to do all I can to make this result work for all of my constituents.”

Waverley electors turned out in their droves last Thursday as the borough recorded the fourth highest turnout of all 381 voting districts in the UK, excluding Gibraltar.

The borough also recorded the highest vote to remain of all 11 voting districts in Surrey, six of which - Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Mole Valley, Waverley and Woking -voted ‘in’ and five - Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath and Tandridge - ‘out’.

Waverley’s turnout of 82.4 per cent was beaten only by St Albans with 82.5 per cent, neighbouring Hart with 82.7 per cent and Chiltern with 83.6 per cent - far outstripping the national average of 72 per cent.

Each of the UK’s seven highest voting districts last Thursday also voted to remain in the EU. In Waverley where 75,999 votes were cast, 44,341 (58.3 per cent) were in favour of remaining and 31,601 (41.6 per cent) voted to leave.

Surrey’s MPs were also divided with Mr Hunt and Foreign Secretary and Weybridge MP Philip Hammond among those advocating remaining, but the majority in favour of leaving, including Justice Secretary and Surrey Heath MP Michael Gove and House of Commons Leader and Epsom MP Chris Grayling.

Overall, 52.2 per cent of Surrey electors voted to remain and 47.8 per cent to leave. Nationally, England voted 46.6 per cent to remain and 53.4 per cent to leave.

Responding to the Brexit vote on Tuesday, Waverley Borough Council said there were a number of EU laws that impacted on its services but it was not yet clear what changes would result and how they would be implemented.

Waverley leader Julia Potts said: “At this time we must not to talk ourselves into a crisis.

“We must respect the decision that has been made through the democratic process and move forward.

“The priorities of Waverley Borough Council will remain the same – delivering excellent customer service, supporting the wellbeing of our communities, enhancing the environment of Waverley and providing value for money to our residents.

“We will ensure Waverley’s voice is heard on a national scale by working in partnership with other authorities and agencies such as the Local Government Association.

“Although the UK is facing a period of uncertainty we will make sure we take advantage of the many opportunities that will come our way. The council will focus on continuing its positive approach while delivering fantastic services to the community.”

Chairman of the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Surrey branch Rob May confirmed many business owners in Surrey are anxious about the effects of the referendum result, reflecting the results of a snap survey of more than 1,000 IoD members last weekend, but called for positivity.

Mr May, who owns Waverley-based cyber security firm Ramsac, welcomed the three month pause announced by the Prime Minister “so the heat can be taken out of the situation” before the formal process for leaving the EU begins, but added his replacement will need to focus on negotiating a new arrangement that gives UK companies access to the single market and the skills of EU workers.

He told The Herald: “IoD members have a clear message to his replacement: during the referendum campaign we were promised an open and outward-looking country after Brexit, now it must be delivered.

“As for Surrey, the reality is we’re sat in the midst of one of the wealthiest parts of the country, the Surrey economy is worth £34 billion per year and we sit right next to the capital, that represents an awful lot of opportunities right on our doorstep.

“As such I would urge businesses to focus their time and effort on attracting business close to home maximising on the value of the notional Surrey Pound.

“The most important thing is that we accept the reality of today, brush ourselves down, rise to the challenge and show true British can-do spirit.”

See this week’s Herald for more reaction to the Brexit vote and how it may impact on the Brightwells regeneration scheme, Waverley’s Local Plan and local politics and the economy in general.