Cameron said he was “delighted” that May would replace him and she would have his “full support”.
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“We the Conservatives will put ourselves at the service of ordinary working people and we will make Britain a country that works for everyone, whoever you are and wherever you’re from”, she said Monday.
Leadsom, who had campaigned vigorously in favor of leaving the European Union, had been vaulted to political prominence by word last week that she and May would contest the Conservative leadership.
May, who supported the “remain” vote during the United Kingdom referendum on its membership of the European Union will be be the second female British Prime Minister.
However, that position has now been thrown into turmoil by the exit of Andrea Leadsom as her challenger to be Conservative Party leader and prime minister.
It’s, however, not clear whether Cameron and family leave the 10, Downing Street, immediately.
These two could be candidates for the key job of Brexit Minister, negotiating the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, though former leadership rival Mrs Leadsom could also be a candidate for this post. But May’s support for the “Remain” campaign had been muted, and she has pledged to implement what is expected to be a drawn-out and messy divorce from continental Europe.
“I have received confirmation from the board and the Party, I can now declare that Mrs May has been elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party with immediate effect”.
May, who has been Britain’s home secretary for six years, will become the country’s second female prime minister.
“There’s no doubt they want to have a solid relationship with New Zealand and a free trade agreement but in a technical sense, while they’re a member of the European Union – which happens until essentially they complete the divorce proceedings – they can’t technically negotiate a FTA with New Zealand”, said Mr Key.
Britain is hours away from installing a new Prime Minister, without an election.
May, 59, who is now the home secretary, or interior minister, will inherit the position at a time of great turmoil following the referendum to leave the EU. “That is how, together we will build a better Britain”, added May.
Conservative lawmaker Andrea Leadsom – one of two candidates to become Britain’s prime minister – has pulled out of the race.
But Leadsom quickly stumbled, drawing fire for her perceived lack of fitness to preside over far-reaching and potentially ruinous financial repercussions of the vote to leave the EU.
Leadsom has been an MP since 2010 and serves as the energy and climate change minister. Cameron had campaigned for Britain remaining in the EU. There would not be a second referendum, she said.
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► Leadsom has apologised for her comment directed at May, who has no children, that being a mother was an advantage, in a Times of London interview.
