LYDNEY councillor Alan Preest is unsure who to back in the race to become the next Prime Minister - but says the Conservative party could find itself “in a muddle” if MPs cannot find a way to work together.

Cllr Preest, who is Chairman of Gloucestershire County Council, Vice Chair of the Conservative group at the Forest Council and a Lydney town councillor, was speaking after the leadership hustings in Cheltenham last Thursday (August 11).

The Tory councillor says that while he can “see the positives” from both Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, whoever wins must unite the party in order to face up to the tough challenges ahead.

“Whoever it is has got to more than hit the ground running and sort out the problems that we are undoubtedly going to be facing come the autumn when the sun doesn’t shine and the nights get darker”, Cllr Preest said.

“I’ve not met any of them and I think the vote should have been taken solely by the MPs who know these individuals.

“I can see the positives from Rishi and Liz Truss but it’s got to be about working together, no backstabbing and complete party unity. 

“If we can’t do that we are going to be in a muddle.”

Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper attended the hustings in support of Rishi Sunak, along with fellow Gloucestershire MPs and Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson.

The Tory members’ ballot closes on September 2 and the winner will be announced on September 5.

The victor will become Conservative Party leader and the UK’s next Prime Minister.