New PM 'must commit to climate change'

The Isles of Scilly's MP has outlined his priorities when supporting a candidate to be the next Prime Minister.

Derek Thomas, the Conservative MP for the St Ives constituency, revealed that he has been "lobbied quite hard" by the Tory leadership hopefuls since Theresa May announced her resignation last month.

He said: “The one thing about being a backbench MP in a leadership challenge is that your vote really matters, particularly at the moment when there are so many candidates. They need the support of MPs so I’ve obviously been lobbied quite hard."

He told Radio Scilly that Brexit must be delivered, but his real priority is tackling climate change. He explained that he has sent a letter to each of the candidates who have approached him asking them to set out how they intend to care for the natural environment.

"I’m choosing the person I support based on how committed I feel they are in writing to really address some of the challenges that give everybody, wherever they live and whatever their background, a real stake in our great nation. That’s what I think the next leader and the next Prime Minister must deliver."