CONSERVATIVES were calling for Theresa May to step down as Prime Minister less than 24 hours after she secured an extension for the Brexit process until October 31.

Mrs May clinched more time from the European Union to try to get a majority in Parliament for some form of deal.

However, several Dorset MPs were unimpressed and called for Mrs May to resign.

Bournemouth West MP and Brexiteer Conor Burns said: “I told the Prime Minister in person that I see no purpose for her premiership to continue.”

Discussing a potentially damaging set of local council elections next month, Mr Burns said: “What I am finding on the doorstep is real anger, not just from those who voted leave, but many who voted remain.

“I am telling people these elections are about bins not Brexit. I hope hard working councillors are not caught in the crossfire of anger towards a remain Parliament working to stop Brexit.”

Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope called for Britain to leave on World Trade Organisation terms.

Sir Christopher said: “I think it is a big mistake for the Prime Minister to have asked for an extension. We should be leaving on Friday and she could have done that.

“All the time she said no deal was better than a bad deal but she never really believed it.

“Now we are in a situation where we are being held to ransom and will leave with no deal on October 31."

On a potential backlash at the polls, Sir Christopher said: “I am told it is really bad news for the Conservatives. People are blaming the Conservatives for not honouring the commitment that said we would leave on March 29. It is hard to do anything other than accept responsibility for that.

“People are crying out for the Prime Minister to stand down now so we can have fresh leadership. That is the answer because the damage the Prime Minister is doing to the Conservative Party is immense.”

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood said the Brexit impasse had led to much “frustration” and “anger” but added politicians must consider how they act and behave.

“This (extension) reflects how complicated Brexit is,” said Mr Ellwood. “The country is divided as is Parliament.”

He added: “The Prime Minister has secured a critical extension of time to find the compromise we need. No one is going to get the pure Brexit they want.”

Mr Ellwood said ‘no deal’ Brexit remained unsuitable with the impact he believes it would have on areas such as business and security.

On a potential knock on impact for the Tories in the inaugural Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council elections, he said: “Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are at a critical junction in coming together and beginning a new chapter in local governance and who runs the town hall, has the keys to the town hall and the control for the next few years – it is so important.”

He added residents across the conurbation should not “punish” local Conservative candidates for Parliament’s inability to secure a Brexit deal.

The defence minister also said it is “unhelpful” to blur Brexit and leadership of the Conservative Party together.

“The Prime Minister has indicated she will be stepping back (for the next stage of Brexit),” he said. “Once the Brexit position is confirmed we can have a wider debate about how we invigorate our party to win a future General Election.”

Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson said: “The extension is unnecessary and unhelpful. The prospect of holding elections to the European Parliament nearly three years after the people voted to leave the EU and the prospect of leaving on All Hallows’ Eve will horrify many.

“The sooner we leave, the sooner the rest of the country will realise that we can stand on our own two feet and thrive outside the EU.

“Sadly, there are many in Parliament who are trying to thwart and overturn that democratic decision and people’s vote to leave.”