Theresa May stands down as Conservative Party leader, starting succession race
- Eleven Conservative MPs are currently vying to replace her, including former foreign minister Boris Johnson
- May will remain prime minister until a new leader is chosen, likely in late July
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May took office after the shock 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU and has spent the past three years working on a departure plan, delaying Brexit twice to try to get it through.
How the Tories will pick Britain’s next leader
But she finally acknowledged defeat in a tearful resignation speech last month, the culmination of months of political turmoil that has slowly sapped all her authority.
Eleven Conservative MPs are currently vying to replace her, including former foreign minister Boris Johnson, but some are expected to drop out before Monday’s deadline for nominations.
The winner will have only a few months to decide whether to try to salvage May’s plan, delay Brexit again – or sever ties with Britain’s closest trading partner with no agreement at all.
But despite winning, Labour’s vote share fell by 17 per cent while the Tories’ vote plummeted by 25 per cent, highlighting the task facing May’s successor.
Donald Trump plays Brexit kingmaker
Polling guru John Curtice told the BBC that the result showed Britain was now in a “different political world”.
Meanwhile, leadership rival Jeremy Hunt warned that there was “no future for our party” until Britain leaves the EU.
But Trump used the trip to speak with Johnson and other candidates to replace her, emphasising where the political power in Britain now lies.
“She remains prime minister for a good few weeks yet,” May’s spokesman insisted, noting that any successor must meet Queen Elizabeth and assure the monarch they have the support of enough lawmakers to take over.
Trump has been highly critical of May’s Brexit strategy and ahead of his visit to Britain he urged her successor to leave the bloc with no deal if necessary.
Johnson, a leading campaigner in the 2016 referendum, who quit the government last year over May’s plan, is among several would-be candidates who say they are willing to do this.
Boris Johnson launches campaign to become next British PM
Johnson cleared one hurdle on Friday by fending off a legal action brought by a citizen, who accuses him of misconduct in public office for making misleading statements during the 2016 campaign about how much money Britain sends to the EU.
Judge Michael Supperstone said the High Court was “quashing the decision of the district judge” to summons the former foreign secretary, bringing an end to the case.
Johnson’s lawyers told the court that the earlier ruling ordering him to answer the claims “erred in law” and that the former London mayor was the victim of a “politically-driven process”.
Nominations for the Conservative leadership contest must be submitted on Monday, and the 313 Conservative MPs – including May – will hold the first of a series of secret ballots on Thursday.
With the worst performers eliminated each time, the goal is to have two candidates left by June 20. They will then be put to a ballot of an estimated 100,000 party members.
The contest should be completed by the week commencing July 22.
