Tory MPs urge Cameron to choose traditionalist as next Archbishop of Canterbury The inauguration of John Sentamu, left, as Archbishop of York in 2005, with Rowan Williams, right, who is stepping down as Archbishop of Canterbury in December. Photograph: Kippa Matthews/Rex Features Tory MPs were last night lobbying David Cameron to choose a traditionalist candidate as the next Archbishop of Canterbury after Rowan Williams announced he was stepping down last week. Peter Bone, the MP for Wellingborough and Rushden, was among those calling on the PM to choose a figure who represented the views of the church's traditionalist wing on issues such as gay marriage. The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, is currently the favourite among many Tory MPs who are encouraged by his comments saying that a change in the law to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry was "unjustified." Bone said the church needed leadership and clarity. He added: "I don't want the Archbishop to say we can't have gay marriage because it is not socially acceptable. I want him to say we can't have it because it is wrong. Nadine Dorries, the Tory MP for Mid Bedfordshire, called for the church to propose a candidate who would "stand up" for traditional values. "I think John Sentamu would be a good replacement," she said. I think we need someone who is prepared to stand up for Christian values that the vast majority of Christians identify with and Rowan Williams didn't do that. One Tory MP said there would be widespread upset on the government backbenchers if a candidate from the church's liberal wing replaced Williams, 61, when he leaves in December. He said: "It is traditional that we have a conservative after a liberal and if David Cameron doesn't deliver then it will confirm the fears of everyone who already has doubts about him." Cameron will have the ultimate say on who the next leader of the Anglican church will be once a shortlist of two is put forward to him from representatives of the church. Last night Tony Baldry, a Tory MP and church commissioner who is answerable to parliament over the activities of the Anglican church, urged his colleagues not to allow the process to find a new archbishop to become dominated by evangelical and liberal "labels." He said: "I very much hope this doesn't turn into some sort of contest between labels. It will be a long process and we need to be thoughtful and prayerful. Sentamu yesterday spoke of his "great sadness" after hearing that Williams will be stepping down. Williams, who was appointed the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002, is to take the position of Master of Magdalene College at the University of Cambridge from next January. When asked earlier in the week if he wanted Williams job, Sentamu responded by saying: "You can't be serious."