The governing Conservative Party took another step on Thursday in its process to replace Prime Minister David Cameron, winnowing the contest to two candidates – Theresa May, the home secretary, and Andrea Leadsom, the junior energy minister.
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The UK is on course to have its second female prime minister after Margaret Thatcher, as May and Leadsom begin the task of winning votes from Tory members around the country.
The Home Secretary ditched the “divisive” plan as she launched her leadership bid.
Following the announcements, May said she was “delighted” to receive support from members of the Tory party. “Under Theresa’s leadership, the motives of the Conservative Party will never be in any doubt”, said Indian-origin minister Priti Patel, a Brexit supporter who threw her support behind May earlier today.
Conceding defeat, Gove told reporters he was “naturally disappointed”, but said there was one “important” and “welcome” outcome of the vote.
Leadsom, 53, argues that the prime minister should be someone who truly believes in a British exit, or Brexit. “And I know whichever one of the two wins, they will lead this country well”.
Now Mr Johnson has signalled he will stick to his guns on the UK’s attempts to exit the European Union by supporting 53-year-old Ms Leadsom who backed the Vote Leave campaign during the referendum.
Not exactly representative of Britain, but nevertheless, they’ll pick a new party leader – and Prime Minister – on September 9.
Although a known Eurosceptic, May backed the “Remain” side in the June 23 referendum.
The race had thrown up its share of controversies with Gove’s campaign chief, Nick Boles, allegedly texting MPs to vote tactically in favour of his candidate. However, several senior party members have urged for the contest to be announced earlier due to the fallout of Britain’s BREXIT vote and the need to begin European Union exit negotiations.
Coe says he “will be at the front of the queue making sure that where that finance is available, it is being aimed at sport, which is as important to me as nearly any other activity”.
Theresa May, 59, has been MP for nearby Maidenhead since 1997 and held the post of Home Secretary since 2010.
“I have said all along that this election needs to be a proper contest”.
Prior to a career in politics, May worked as a financial consultant.
Ms May was on Team Remain, but says she’ll ensure the Brexit means all boats will rise and “make Britain a country not for the privileged few, but for everyone”. May backer Chris Grayling described the MPs” vote as “overwhelming’ and said “I hope members will be looking carefully”.
May had also wanted the United Kingdom to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, but has now dropped the idea with Parliament unlikely to support it.
But Ms Davidson called for Mrs May to guarantee that European Union migrants in the United Kingdom should be allowed to remain after Brexit.
Both contenders have links to Sussex – Mrs May was born in Eastbourne and East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton is leading Mrs Leadsom’s campaign.
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While May secured 199 votes, Leadsom received 84 votes.
