The new prime minister will be responsible for leading Britain’s exit negotiations with the 28-nation bloc, as well as leading a country shaken by global markets’ reaction to the Brexit referendum.
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Michael Gove spoke after the result: “I am naturally disappointed that I haven’t been able to make it through”.
Mrs Leadsom, who played a prominent role in the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, is likely to attract votes from Eurosceptic activists who want a “Brexit prime minister” to oversee withdrawal negotiations. The betrayal probably hurt his leadership chances, fueling a view among Tories that he is disloyal.
She said she was delighted to have won support from “leavers and remainers, MPs from the length and breadth of the country”.
It is now down to Conservative party members to vote for who they want to become the next leader. “We must end the tribalism and divisions seen in the Referendum between leave and remain and focus on defining our place in the world and putting core Conservative principles and values into action”, she added. “And she will argue that only a true believer can really take control and lead the process whereby Britain comes out of the European Union”.
“I tell you today, I will not use people’s lives as bargaining chips”, she said. He said she had the “zap, drive and determination” for the job.
“And a female prime minister who has formidable skills and I know whichever one of the two wins they will lead this country well”.
Leadsom, 53 years old, has been in Parliament since 2010 and is considered less experienced than May.
She also won the support of Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, who had previously backed Michael Gove, and the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson.
Moreover, this would now pave the way for some 125 lawmakers to elect either May or Leadsom as the next Prime Minister, succeeding incumbent David Cameron, who is set to resign in October.
Gove, the justice secretary, had vowed to support the former mayor but announced his own candidacy at the last minute.
Theresa May will face Andrea Leadsom in the final round of voting to become the new Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister.
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Speaking after the vote Ms Leadsom’s campaign manager Tim Loughton said the two candidates represented “quirky” choices for the Tories.
