Theresa May quits, new British PM likely by end of July

TIL Desk/World/London/ British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday announced that she would quit as the leader of the ruling Conservative Party on June 7, paving the way for a leadership battle for the next Prime Minister’s post. “I believe it was right to persevere even when the odds against success were high. But it’s now clear to me that it’s in the best interest of the country for a new Prime Minister to lead that effort.

 I am today (Friday) announcing that I will resign as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party on 7th of June, so that a successor can be chosen,” she said. The party said it hoped a new leader could be in place by the end of July. Fighting tears outside Downing Street, May said she had done her best to deliver Brexit and it was a matter of “deep regret” that she had been unable to do so.

“It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit. It will be for my successor to seek a way forward that honours the referendum. To lead, he or she will have to find consensus in Parliament where I have not,” May said.