Theresa May set to be Britain's next PM, Leadsom quits

London, July 11: Theresa May is set to become Britain’s next prime minister after Andrea Leadsom pulled out of the contest to become Conservative Party leader.  The timing of the hand over of power from British Prime Minister David Cameron is currently being discussed, BBC reported. May, 59, who backed staying in the EU, has been home secretary since 2010. Leadsom, who campaigned to leave the EU, said Britain needed a “strong and stable government” and that May was “ideally placed” to implement Brexit. In a speech earlier on Monday setting out her leadership campaign platform, May — who rejected the argument that the next leader and prime minister has to be someone on the winning side of the EU referendum — said: “Brexit means Brexit and we’re going to make a success of it.” Leadsom — who was a leading light of the Brexit campaign — said a nine-week leadership campaign at such a “critical time” for Britain would be “highly undesirable”. A source close to the energy minister told BBC “the abuse has been too great” for Leadsom during the contest.  Leadsom had apologised to May on Monday after suggesting in a weekend newspaper interview that being a mother made her a better candidate for the job. May has no children. Leadsom, who was flanked by some of her supporters, said: “Strong leadership is needed urgently to begin the work of withdrawing from the EU. A nine-week leadership campaign at such a critical moment is highly undesirable.” She said May had the support of more than 60 per cent of Conservative MPs and was “ideally placed to implement Brexit on the best possible terms for the British people and she has promised she will do so”. (IANS)

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