May to take over as UK PM after Cameron resignation

Theresa May will become Britain's next prime minister after David Cameron said he would resign on Wednesday and her main rival for the job quit the Conservative leadership race in yet another tumultuous day in Westminster.

The way for May was cleared to become the UK's second female prime minister on Monday when Andrea Leadsom, her only rival for the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party, withdrew from the race.

Speaking outside parliament, May said she was "honoured and humbled" to have been chosen by the Conservative party to become its leader.

"I would like to pay tribute to the other candidates during the election campaign and I would like to pay tribute to Andrea Leadsom for the dignity that she has shown today. I would also like to pay tribute to David Cameron for the leadership that he has shown our party and our country."

"During this campaign my case has been based on three things. First, the need for strong, proven leadership to steer us through what will be difficult and uncertain economic and political times, the need, of course, to negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU, and to forge a new role for ourselves in the world. Brexit means Brexit, and we are going to make a success of it."

"Second, we are going to unite our country and, third, we need a strong, new positive vision for the future of our country, a vision of a country that works not for the privileged few but that works for everyone one of us. Because we are going to give people more control over their lives. And that’s how, together, we will build a better Britain."

Leadsom, a prominent supporter of Britain's exit from the European Union, said earlier on Monday she was quitting because a nine-week leadership campaign was "undesirable" for the UK.

In a short statement outside Downing Street, Cameron said "Leadsom made absolutely the right decision to stand aside".

"It is clear Theresa May has the overwhelming support of the Conservative parliamentary party. I’m also delighted that Theresa May will be the next prime minister. She is strong, she is competent, she’s more than able to provide the leadership the country is going to need in the years ahead and she will have my full support."

"Obviously with these changes we now don’t need to have a prolonged period of transition. And so tomorrow I will chair my last cabinet meeting. On Wednesday I will attend the House of Commons for prime minister’s questions. And then after that I expect to go to the Palace and offer my resignation, so we will have a new prime minister in that building behind me by Wednesday evening."

Earlier in the day Leadsom said she did not have enough support within the party's MPs to lead a stable government if she had beaten May. She secured the support of 84 MPs compared with May's 199.

"The best interests of our country inspired me to stand for our leadership. I believe in leaving the EU a bright future awaits. The referendum result represented a clear desire for change. A nine-week leadership campaign at such a critical point for our country is highly undesirable," she said in a letter to the party's 1922 Committee.

"The interests of our country are best served from the immediate appointment of a Prime Minister with strong leadership... I wish Theresa May the very best."

The right wing energy minister had been unable to shake off controversy on several fronts with the latest breaking over the weekend when she told the Times newspaper that as a mother she had the “edge” over the childless Theresa May in the race to be prime minister.

There were also claims that she had exaggerated positions she had held in the City in her CV.