DORSET MPs have been insisting Theresa May should stay after moves were made to persuade her to resign.

The former Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps has claimed around 30 MPs are calling for a leadership contest.

The prime minister’s conference speech was blighted by mishaps including a coughing fit and an interruption by a prankster.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns, an aide to foreign secretary Boris Johnson, said: “I find the whole thing inexplicable, that because she had a bad cold and cough, suddenly a small number of people are talking about whether she should stop being prime minister. To coin a phrase from the general election, nothing has changed.”

He added: “Many colleagues remain very disappointed by the election result earlier this year. Anybody who looks back over political history will see a bout of introspection and undermining the prime minister will lead to nothing other than dire electoral consequences. Everybody should calm down and get behind her.”

Christchurch MP Chris Chope said: “I think it’s unfortunate to try and make an issue about somebody who’s had a cough at party conference. It could happen to anybody.

“By her own admission, she made the wrong call in relation to the general election but she increased our share of the vote and the number of people voting for us. Attempts to undermine her position play into the hands of everybody who wants to make life difficult for us in our Brexit negotiations.“What people are crying out for is a quick, clean exit from the EU. What Grant Shapps is talking about will play into the hands of the eurocrats who are being unreasonable and stubborn and refusing to negotiate about trade.”

Poole MP Robert Syms said: “I think Theresa’s position is very strong, not least because there’s no alternative people can agree upon and we have to get on and deal with the Brexit situation.”

He added: “I think the reaction to the speech was nuts. The poor girl had made 28 speeches in three or four days, worked very hard, had a bad voice. I’m surprised they didn’t shoot the comedian because every time I see the PM she’s got armed guards.”

Michael Tomlinson of Mid Dorset and North Poole said: “I stand in support of the PM 100 per cent, no doubt at all. People who were at the Conservative Party conference have nothing but admiration for her.“Most constituents who have contacted me have been fully supportive, saying well done her for struggling through.”

He added: “In years to come, when someone writes a book on how to organise a coup or topple a leader, a bit like one of Grant Shapps’ own self-help guides, this will be used as an example of how not to do it.”

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood, Simon Hoare of North Dorset, Desmond Swayne of New Forest West and Richard Drax of South Dorset had not returned calls at the time of going to press.

But Mr Swayne tweeted: “Grant would have known he’d get a flea in the ear if he’d asked me.”