Conservative backbencher Crispin Blunt has backed down on his demand that Iain Duncan Smith resign as party leader.

The Reigate MP, who sensationally called on his colleagues to replace the leadership just as the party's electoral fortunes appeared to change, admitted defeat on Wednesday night.

The climbdown came after an insufficient number of MPs came forward to support a vote of no confidence in Duncan Smith, who led the party to sweeping gains in the local elections.

"I cannot see any reason to suppose that colleagues will wish to revisit this issue later in the parliament at a less opportune time in the electoral cycle," Blunt said.

"I have already made clear to the 1922 Committee that I would not pursue this issue beyond the Whitsun recess.

"My colleagues, having been given a cue to review Iain's leadership, have implicitly expressed confidence in him.

"I therefore accept that it is the overwhelming view of my fellow Conservative MPs that Iain should lead us into the next general election."

Blunt insisted he had been acting with the best intentions despite claims that he had been used to destabilise the current leadership by senior Tories occupying the backbenches.

"Most people who know me, even if critical of my timing, have been generous enough to accept that my actions have been driven by my conviction and view of the wider party interest," he said.

"I want to place on record my gratitude to my colleagues for their forbearance and lack of rancour at the controversy I have created."

The MP, whose constituency party supported his call for an open revolt against the leadership, denied that he had written off the next election.

"It has never been my view that it is impossible for the Conservative Party to win the next general election under Iain Duncan Smith," he said.

"However it remains my view that we will have to work harder to achieve this than with any other potential leader."

Blunt insisted he would "work from the backbenches" to help secure victory under Duncan Smith.