Theresa May tomorrow will become the prime minister who leads Britain into talks to quit the European Union, after her last rival in the bid to succeed David Cameron pulled out.
May became the only contender after Andrea Leadsom - who had stirred a storm for suggesting she was more qualified to be premier because she had children - abruptly quit the race yesterday.
Cameron later announced May would take over from him tomorrow, when he will to go to Queen Elizabeth II and tender his resignation after one final prime minister’s questions session in parliament.
“We’ll have a new prime minister in that building behind me by Wednesday evening,” he said in a statement outside 10 Downing Street.
Accompanied by her banker husband Philip and surrounded by supportive MPs, a smiling May later stressed the need “to negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU” in brief comments outside parliament.
Britain has faced the worst political turmoil in generations following June 23’s shock vote to leave the European Union. The outcome prompted Cameron to step down, plunging his Conservatives into a bitter leadership race.
At the same time, the head of the main opposition Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, is also facing a challenge to his job. Senior MP Angela Eagle formally launched her bid yesterday, and Labour’s election co-ordinator, Jon Trickett, said the party should brace for general elections soon after May takes office.