A CONSERVATIVE MP says he will try to get Michael Howard to change his mind about quitting as party leader.

Mr Howard told a rally in Putney that, at the age of 66 or 67, he would be too old to lead a party into government at the next election.

"So as I can't fight the next election as leader of our party, I believe it's better for me to stand aside sooner rather than later so that the party can choose someone who can," he said.

But Bournemouth West MP Sir John Butterfill said he would be seeking to try and change Mr Howard's mind.

"I don't think we should be in any hurry to change our leader," he said.

"Okay, we didn't win the election but we won a few seats and Michael Howard has done well.

"I can't think of any possible contenders off hand. I would much soon Michael stayed and will be hoping to try and persuade him of this.

"We need a period of stability now, not more change."

Poole MP Robert Syms said he thought Mr Howard did very well in this election campaign for a man of his age.

"It's a pity (he's leaving) because I think Michael's made a real impact in the last 18 months," he said.

He predicted David Davis, Liam Fox, Tim Yeo and John Redwood may be in the running to fill Mr Howard's shoes, after the dust of this week's election has settled.

Christchurch Conservative MP Chris Chope said Mr Howard would stay at the helm for the immediate future while leadership selection rules are reviewed.

"He will see if people want to change the rules and when those changes have been made he will resign as leader and won't lead the party into the next general election," said Mr Chope.

"The changes to these rules could take a year. I suspect that he might still be leading us in the months leading up to the referendum campaign on the European consitution."

Desmond Swayne, MP for New Forest West, said: "I think he has done a magnificent job in making the Tory party a credible electoral force, which it wasn't."

He added that the result nationally was "a great disappointment".

"But I will be very sorry to lose Michael Howard, for what he achieved," he added.

Simon Hayes, who was defeated in his bid to take the Mid Dorset and North Poole seat from Liberal Democrat Annette Brooke, said he would be sorry to see him go.

"I don't see, personally, a reason why he needs to stand down," he said.

"I would have supported him if he had taken the opposite view. Since he's been leader of the party, the party's fortunes have improved and he's set the scene for continued success."

The May 6 election supplement incorrectly stated that Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood was elected with a majority of 3,434. In fact, Mr Ellwood increased the Conservative majority to 5,244.

First published: May 7