A LEADING supporter of Conservative leadership candidate David Davis has denied that his campaign for the top job is on the rocks.

Ashford MP Damian Green, who was among the first to declare support for Mr Davis, said that the leadership contest would not be decided on the basis of who had performed best at the party conference.

His comments come after Mr Davis made what was regarded by some as a lacklustre speech to the party faithful in Blackpool.

"There is more to political leadership than political oratory. You have to look at how people can lead and unite the party and form a good team.

"When MPs return to Parliament next week, we will begin to see a debate about a whole range of issues. This is a long race and there will be the odd bumpy days. I still think David Davis is best placed to bring together the whole party and contend that he has the best and most interesting policy ideas."

He added: "If being a good political orator was the most important thing in politics, William Hague would be Prime Minister now."

He was confident that Mr Davis would be one of the two names on the final ballot paper sent out to activists in early December but said the identity of the second was "too close to call."

Meanwhile, Faversham and Mid Kent MP Hugh Robertson said support for David Cameron was growing among activists after his impressive speech earlier in the week.

"I remain a supporter of David Cameron. The dynamics of the contest has now changed and the momentum is definitely with Cameron. David Davis has been the frontrunner and opted to play safe [in his speech] and got caught out. He sounded rather flat. I think the media has been looking for an interesting angle on the race and they have got it."