Theresa 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.
Ms. 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 Ms. Leadsom unexpectedly withdrew on Monday, allowing the Interior minister to take over as Prime Minister much sooner.
May’s victory means that the complex process of leaving the EU will be led by someone who favored a vote to Remain in last month's membership referendum.
“I have … concluded that the interests of our country are best served by the immediate appointment of a strong and well supported prime minister. I am therefore withdrawing from the leadership election and I wish Theresa May the very greatest success. I assure her of my full support” Ms. Leadsom told reporters. She acknowledged that May had secured much stronger backing in a vote of Conservative members of parliament last week.
“Strong leadership is needed urgently to begin the work of withdrawing from the European Union” Leadsom said.
It is not clear how soon Theresa May will take over as Prime Minister to replace David Cameron. Graham Brady, head of the Conservative party committee in charge of the leadership contest, said there were still constitutional procedures to be observed before her appointment could be confirmed, but he aimed to make a confirmation announcement as soon as possible.
“In the coming weeks I will set out (how) to take our economy through this period of uncertainty, to get the economy growing strongly across all parts, to deal with Britain's long-standing productivity problem, to create more well-paid jobs, to negotiate the best terms for Britain's departure from the EU and to forge a new role for ourselves in the world” Ms. May said in a speech earlier on Monday in the central city of Birmingham.
Even though, she favored the Remain vote during last month’s referendum May has repeatedly stated “Brexit means Brexit”. “As prime minister, I will make sure that we leave the European Union” she said.
The referendum to leave the European Union has thrown both Britain’s major political parties into upheaval. Labour lawmaker Angela Eagle said earlier today she would challenge Jeremy Corbyn for the leadership of the party.
Corbyn was elected last year with overwhelming support from grassroots Labour activists to whose support his counts to hold his position. He has ignored a vote of no confidence from the party's lawmakers, saying he has a responsibility to carry out that mandate.
Theresa May is expected to make a statement soon from London, her ally Chris Grayling said.