CONSERVATIVE leadership at a national level is a “distraction” from local priorities, according to Dorset Council’s leader of the opposition.

But Conservative MPs in the region were split in their support for the Prime Minister: Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, said he had “lost confidence” in Boris Johnson whilst Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, said he backed the PM to stay at No.10 but would be making no further comment.

The comments come in the wake of a series of resignations at the heart of Government following protracted controversy surrounding Boris Johnson and Chris Pincher.

Nick Ireland, Dorset Council’s leader of the opposition, said there was a “moral vacuum” within government and called for a general election.

He said: “The appalling behaviour and moral vacuum of the Conservative Government is a distraction from the real issues facing our country for which they appear to have no clear strategy to address and resolve.”

“Dorset Council will never benefit from any significant investment from a Tory government because despite all the challenges we have with an aging population, rurality and a low-wage economy, the parliamentary seats are regarded as ‘safe’ and hence politically ineligible for any ‘levelling up’ funding.

“I think a general election now would show that not all Dorset seats are as safe as they think – bring it on.”

Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council's portfolio holder for Housing and Community Safety, said he was "sad" to see Mr Sunak and Mr Javid resign but he was "fully focussed" on the issues that mattered locally.

He said: "I'm fully focused on what I'm doing within my own Portfolio on Dorset Council, I'm not letting Boris Johnson or government resignations distract me from what I'm doing locally.

"I'm sure he'll do his thing, with or without me!"

Chris Loder publicly announced he’d lost confidence in the Prime Minister early on Wednesday morning and said the decision was based on an erosion of “trust and confidence”

Mr Loder had previously been reluctant to criticise the Government in public but said “recent revelations concerning (Chris Pincher MP) are appalling and indefensible”.

Writing in his Echo column, he said: "This is about trust and confidence and when that is eroded, it is incredibly difficult to get it back.

"I know many feel the same way, not only people of west Dorset but also my colleagues in Westminster.

"It is my role to hold the government to account on behalf of the people in West Dorset which is what I am doing."

Dorset Council said it was unable to comment on the matter.