Theresa May to be British PM tomorrow

Home secretary Theresa May is set to become Britain’s Prime Minister on Wednesday with the task of steering its withdrawal from the European Union after her only rival abruptly pulled out.

Ms May, 59, will succeed David Cameron, who announced he was stepping down after Britons unexpectedly voted last month to quit the EU. Britain’s planned withdrawal has weakened the 28-nation bloc, created huge uncertainty over trade and investme-nt, and shaken financial markets.

Ms May and energy minister Andrea Leadsom had been due to contest a ballot of around 150,000 Conservative party members, with the result to be declared by September 9. But Ms Leadsom unexpectedly withdrew on Monday, removing the need for a nine-week leadership contest.

Mr Cameron told reporters in front of his 10 Downing Street residence that he expected to chair his last Cabinet meeting on Tuesday and take questions in Parliament on Wednesday before tendering his resignation to Queen Elizabeth.

“So we will have a new PM in that building behind me by Wednesday evening,” he said.

Ms May will become Britain’s second female PM after Margaret Thatcher. Her victory means that the complex process of extricating Britain from the EU will be led by someone who favoured a vote to Remain in last month’s membership referendum.