'Head and shoulders above!' South Holland District Council leader Gary Porter and local Conservative association chairman Kevin Geaney back new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

South Holland District Council leader Gary Porter used to urge friends to put a spare tenner on Rishi Sunak running the country - and now he is backing the new Prime Minister to ‘rebuild the good feeling’ amongst Conservatives.

Coun Porter has known Mr Sunak for many years, saying he has been impressed by both his empathy towards people and financial know-how.

“I’ve known Rishi since he was a junior minister in Government, his first job,” Coun Porter said.

“It was clear from early days that he would be Prime Minister, without doubt.

“I was telling people at the time that if they had a spare tenner they should put it on him. I don’t know if anyone listened, but I hoped they have done as they could have made some money.

“I’ve known a lot of MPs and he’s head and shoulders above most of them.”

Mr Sunak’s opponents have questioned whether his £730 million personal fortune means he is in the best position to care for the needs of the general public.

But Coun Porter argues the new Prime Minister is the best man for the job.

“Do you want to be led by somebody who’s never made anything of themselves or somebody who has proven they know how to do it?” he asked

“He’s empathetic to people and understands them.

“You don’t get much rougher than I am. I came from a single-parent family on a council estate in the 70s, before it was fashionable, and I get on really well with him.

“He cares about other people and their situations.”

Mr Porter continued: “Readers know I backed him in the last leadership election and he was the right choice.

“His economic policy was sound and that was proven as it was the one the Government adopted anyway.

“He will rebuild good feeling inside the party and his cabinet will include the best of the party from all parts. He’ll judge people on ability.

“I think he’s in the best position to weather the worst of what could be ahead.”

Chairman of South Holland and the Deepings Conservative Association Kevin Geaney was another Sunak backer pleased his man is entering Number 10.

“I’m personally pleased. I wanted him last time.

“He did a good job as Chancellor and his background is mostly financial, whereas Boris didn’t have that background and neither did Liz Truss.

“That’s why I wanted Rishi, I think he’s what we needed as a country.”

Mr Geaney also believes Sunak can help the Conservatives rebuild their trust with the electorate.

He added: “The old saying a week is a long time in politics, well, in the last six months it feels like the world’s been turned upside down.

“It’s a case of watch what happens, but I hope Rishi can take us in the right direction.

“Hopefully, he doesn’t do a Boris and call an early election as I think that could be the end of the Conservatives.

“But I’m hoping he can show people this Government can get things working properly and people start drifting back.”