Theresa May poised to become next British prime minister after Andrea Leadsom quits leadership race
Once confirmed as Conservative leader, May will automatically become the new prime minister, replacing outgoing leader David Cameron
Interior minister Theresa May is set to become Britain’s first woman prime minister since Margaret Thatcher after her only rival abruptly quit the race on Monday, removing the need for a drawn-out leadership contest.
May, 59, was left as the only candidate to succeed David Cameron, who announced he was stepping down after Britons voted last month to leave the European Union. Britain’s planned withdrawal has weakened the 28-nation bloc and created huge uncertainty over trade and investment.
The interests of our country are best served by the immediate appointment of a strong and well supported prime minister
May and energy minister Andrea Leadsom had been due to contest a ballot of around 150,000 Conservative party members, with the result to be declared by September 9. But Leadsom unexpectedly withdrew on Monday, opening the way for May to take over much sooner.
Her victory means that the complex process of extricating Britain from the EU will be led by someone who favoured a vote to Remain in last month’s membership referendum.
Leadsom, 53, has never served in cabinet and was barely known to the British public until she emerged as a prominent voice in the successful Leave campaign.
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