MPs have greeted new Tory party chief David Cameron as the man to take on New Labour.

Mr Cameron, 39, who has only been an MP for four years, was elected as Conservative leader last Tuesday - winning twice as many votes as his rival David Davis.

Party members are hoping his self-styled brand of 'modern, compassionate Conservatism' will help the party appeal to more people, especially women and the younger generation.

In their first House of Commons clash on Wednesday, Mr Cameron accused Prime Minister Tony Blair of being 'stuck in the past'.

Close ally and Tatton MP George Osborne, who ran Mr Cameron's leadership campaign and remains shadow chancellor after Mr Cameron's reshuffle on Wednesday, led the praise for Cameron, calling him 'a wonderfully talented politician'.

Mr Osborne told the Chronicle: 'I led the campaign for Mr Cameron and obviously I'm absolutely delighted with the result.

'I think this will mark the start of a revival for the Conservatives on a national level. He has put us in a position where we can be positive about the future.

'Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are yesterday's men and we are tomorrow's people. David has personality, good judgment and the ability to communicate, and you can already feel a sense of excitement in the party.'

Winsford's MP Stephen O'Brien said: 'I backed Mr Cameron and I'm delighted that he has been so strongly endorsed.

'I think he will not only make a good party leader, but will also make an excellent Prime Minister.

'He is the man to see off Blair and he will expose Gordon Brown as the roadblock to reform that he is.'

Although Middlewich MP Ann Winterton had previously backed David Davis, she wished Mr Cameron good luck.

She said: 'Although I voted for Mr Davis on three occasions, I was pleased he was gracious in defeat just as Mr Cameron was magnanimous in victory.

'The foot soldiers of the Conservative Party - backbenchers like myself - look forward to a Shadow Cabinet of all the talents and Mr Davis, as one of the most successful Shadow Home Secretaries, must play a vital part.

'The wheels are falling off the Labour Party's wagon for all to see, while the Conservatives are definitely on a roll. We shall be working hard to reflect the concerns of the British people in Parliament and to offer them an attractive alternative at the next General Election.'