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Theresa May is set to become Britain’s next Prime Minister after closest rival, Andrea Leadson pulled out today
In a statement, the pro-Brexit leader said that she felt she had insufficient support from the parliamentary party to lead a stable future government.
“We now need a new Prime Minister in place as soon as possible. Theresa May carries over 60% of support of the parliamentary party. She is ideally placed to implement Brexit for the British people and she has promised … to do so.”
May has since given a speech in Birmingham launching her national campaign to become Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Part of the speech reads:
Two weeks ago, I launched my candidacy to become the Leader of the Conservative Party – and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
And last week, I won the overwhelming support of my colleagues in the House of Commons. Nearly two thirds of the Conservative Party in Parliament. Left and right. Leavers and remainers. MPs from the length and breadth of Britain. The result showed that, after the referendum, the Conservative Party can come together – and under my leadership it will.
I am here today – in the great city of Birmingham – to launch my national campaign, in which I will make my case to the Conservative Party membership – and the country as a whole.
That case comes down to three things.
First, our country needs strong, proven leadership – to steer us through this time of economic and political uncertainty, and to negotiate the best deal for Britain as we leave the EU and forge a new role for ourselves in the world. Because Brexit means Brexit and we’re going to make a success of it.
Second, we need to unite our Party and our country.
And third, we need a bold, new, positive vision for the future of our country – a vision of a country that works not for a privileged few but for every one of us.