British PM Theresa May officially stands down as Conservative leader today

BRITAIN’S Prime Minister is set to officially stand down as leader of the ruling Conservatives today (Friday) as the race to succeed her begins to step up.

Theresa May is expected to say in a letter to party chairman Brandon Lewis that she will stay on as a caretaker leader until the ongoing leadership race winds up. She is also set to stay on as Prime Minister until her new successor is chosen.

May announced her resignation last month after her party pressured her to quit following multiple defeats of her draft Brexit deal in Parliament.

She said at the time that it was a matter of ‘deep regret’ to her that she had not managed to get Britain out of the EU on time.

She called for her successor to compromise with others across parliament to get the draft Withdrawal Bill passed.

May’s departure comes as the nomination process for the Conservative leadership vote closes on Monday.

The first round of Conservative MP votes is due to take place on Thursday June 13. MPs are expected to vote in five rounds until the two most popular candidates are put to a ballot of party members.

A total of 11 MPs are currently in the race to succeed May.

They include Brexiteers Boris Johnson, the former Foreign Secretary, current Environment Secretary Michael Gove and International Development Secretary Rory Stewart who has backed holding a second referendum.

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Joe Gerrard

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