Berkshire MP Theresa May has won the first round in the Conservative party leadership elections.
Liam Fox, who came a distant last, has dropped out of the race.
MPs are voting between the six declared candidates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, eliminating the lowest place in each round. When there are just two candidates left, the party’s membership will then hold a ballot to determine who will be the next leader – and Prime Minister.
Theresa May, the MP for Maidenhead whose constituency includes parts of Wokingham borough, polled almost 100 votes more than her second placed rival, Andrea Leadsom. She had more votes than the other four candidates combined.
Mrs May’s support included other local MPs, Dr Phillip Lee, Rob Wilson and Alok Sharma.
She told BBC News after the result: “Tonight it is clear that I am the only one capable of drawing support from the whole of the Conservative Party.”
John Redwood, Wokingham MP, pledged his support for fellow Eurosceptic Leadsom after consulting local party members. His decision to back a Brexit campaigner once again puts him at odds with the Wokingham electorate, which voted to remain in the European Union in the recent referendum.
Mrs May had 165 votes, Andrea Leadsom 66, Michael Gove 48, Stephen Crabb 34 and Liam Fox just 16.
The next round takes place on Thursday.
