TORY leadership candidate Stephen Crabb is the only person that can unite the country and the party, according to Salisbury MP John Glen.

Mr Glen is backing the work and pensions secretary to become the next prime minister and lead the British exit negotiations from the EU.

The Welshman was first elected in 2005 and the base of his support comes from Conservative MPs such as Mr Glen from the 2010 and 2015 intakes.

Deemed an outsider in the race to become prime minister, he trails Theresa May, Andrea Leadsom and Michael Gove in pledged support from MPs, according to research from ConservativeHome. Only the two most popular candidates among the parliamentary party get onto the ballot paper sent out to the membership.

Mr Glen said: "I have known Stephen for 20 years and he is the only candidate who will appeal to the whole electorate and will be able to unite the country and the party.

"I just know from his experience, at cabinet level in government, he is capable of bringing the right people together to deliver for this country. But most importantly, when those matters are concluded he will have a broad appeal to people up and down this country from all generations — particularly the younger generation.

"I think it is really important the Conservative Party faces the future confidently and I know Stephen Crabb is the right man for the job."

Support from other MPs in the area is split with Claire Perry backing Mrs May, Andrew Murrison supporting Mrs Leadsom and Desmond Swayne voting for Mr Gove.

Ms Perry said: "I am supporting the home secretary [Mrs May] who is calm, principled and focused on delivering the best for Britain."

The first round of voting in the Conservative leadership election takes place today with further ballots every Thursday and Tuesday until the field is whittled down to two.

Mr Murrison said: "Having discussed leadership with an excellent field, I'm supporting Andrea Leadsom. Hugely impressive person with real life experience."