Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “It is clear that Boris Johnson’s position had become untenable.
“The country and businesses need stability and leadership with a unified approach at a time when the economy is facing major challenges with record high inflation, rising prices and a cost of living crisis.
“The last thing both businesses and the public need is the level of uncertainty which we have witnessed recently so it is important that the Conservative Party pushes on and elects a new leader as quickly as feasibly possible.
“With his knowledge of the economy and businesses, I would assume that Rishi Sunak would be a serious contender for the position of Prime Minister.”