FOREST of Dean MP Mark Harper has insisted he can restore the Conservatives to an electable party again should he become Prime Minister.

And he has told his constituents that taking on one of the biggest roles in global politics will not cause a conflict with his other job of looking after the interests of the Forest public.

Last Friday, Mr Harper sensationally entered the race to succeed current Prime Minister Theresa May, who leaves office on Monday, and joined ten other Conservatives who have put their names forward.

That number has now grown to 13, and, while there have been calls for some to withdraw from the extensive field, Mr Harper says they should be heard.

Speaking to The Forester on Tuesday, Mr Harper, a Government Chief Whip under David Cameron’s premiership, said the Conservatives had to accept their beatings in the recent local government elections and the European Elections and re-build from there.

READ HIS FULL INTERVIEW IN THIS WEEK’S FORESTER