TheCable

Theresa May is set to become the prime minister of the UK, following the decision of Andrea Leadsom, May’s only contender, to pull out of the contest to become Conservative Party leader.

May battled four other contenders to the Tory leadership race and was left with Leadsom as the only barrier between her and the leadership of the party and consequently the country.

Leadsome announced her withdrawal on Monday, ahead of a two-month campaign for the much-coveted position of the sixth-biggest economy in the world.

Over the weekend, Leadsom said she would be a better PM because she is a mother, hitting at May, who has no child.

In her brief statement, Leadsom said a nine-week leadership campaign at such a critical time for the UK is highly undesirable, adding that it would hurt the nation further.

“Strong leadership is needed urgently to begin the work of withdrawing from the European Union. A nine-week leadership campaign at such a critical moment is highly undesirable,” she said.

She said May is “ideally placed to implement Brexit on the best possible terms for the British people and she has promised she will do so”.

“There is no greater privilege than to lead the Conservative Party in government and I would have been deeply honoured to do it.

“I have however 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 Mrs May the very greatest success.”

May is in discussion with the party leadership to take over from David Cameron, who resigned after the Brexit vote went against his wishes.

Although May did not support the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, she has said she would go ahead with the decision of the people to exit EU.

Pundits are however in favour of a second referendum, which is highly unlikely.