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.”

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

“Britain must and will leave the EU, but my focus now is how we determine our best national future.

“I believe 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. Waverley 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 - were in favour of ‘out’.

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

Each of the UK’s seven highest voting districts 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. Mr Hunt and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond the Weybridge MP, were among those advocating remain, but the majority were in favour of leaving, including Justice Secretary and Surrey Heath Michael Gove and House of Commons Leader and 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.

Its 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.”

Keen to gauge how Brexit might affect local businesses, Haslemere and District Chamber of Trade launched a survey of its members this week. Chamber president David Goddin told The Herald on Wednesday: “Early responses suggest some confidence remains as local businesses digest the Brexit vote and subsequent events.

“It is far too early to draw any meaningful conclusions from our informal survey, which we are conducting to gauge members’ views and look for areas where we might be able to help.

“Based on a limited number of responses so far, it appears one-in-three is confident they – and Haslemere – will not be affected by economic or political fallout from the referendum.

“On the other hand, an overwhelming majority forecast negative impact on the domestic economy as a whole, trade with Europe and employment. Most have also expressed concern over events at Westminster, Europe’s response to the Brexit vote and the reaction of the money and stock markets.

“Perhaps, not surprisingly, a large majority expressed displeasure at the referendum result and said they would vote the same way again. I urge members who have not yet responded to the survey to do so as soon as possible.”

• The majority of East Hampshire voters chose to remain in the EU.

A total of 73,971 voted, a turnout of 81.7 per cent – 10 per cent higher than the 71.1 per cent turnout last year’s General Election.

The district saw 37,346 voting to remain, while 36,576 voted to leave.

A total of 36,326 voted to leave in Chichester District Council area and 35,011 remain (turnout 77.9 per cent).