Rebel Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood said he accepts the result of the confidence motion in Boris Johnson “for the moment”.

The chairman of the Commons Defence Committee and MP for Bournemouth East told Sky News: “This is far from a conclusive result – it’s not a defeat but it’s not a win.

“So for the moment I accept the democratic outcome and I encourage all colleagues to do the same.

“But 41 per cent is a significant chunk of MPs that now need to be included in shaping the party’s future.

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“The conduct over the last couple of days shows there’s a lot of work to be done to unite the party.

“In Number 10 Jacob Rees-Mogg tried to spin this all as a Remain plot based bizarrely on an article that I wrote on trying to improve the Brexit model, by daring to suggest that we join the single market.”

He called for a change of ministers in the Cabinet in lieu of a change in Prime Minister, adding that he believes Boris Johnson has “a matter of months” left in his post.

He told Sky News: “A lot of work to be done: a reshuffle is now required – bring in fresh talent, and actually start to focus on the big issues, make the Cabinet construct actually work.

Read more: Boris Johnson survives confidence vote despite substantial rebellion – live updates

“Let’s do things that appeal to the country and not just to our base – more exciting policies than the privatisation of Channel 4 and bringing back imperial measurements, but a real economic strategy that’s actually going to help tackle the cost of living crisis.”

When asked how long he believes Mr Johnson will remain as Prime Minister, he added: “I think we’re talking a matter of months, up to party conference.”