Theresa May is set to become the next British prime minister after her only rival Andrea Leadsom quit the Conservative Party’s leadership race.
Leadsom, the UK energy minister, announced on Monday that she is pulling out of the contest to replace David Cameron as the premier.
Her move paved the way for Home Secretary Theresa May, who backed staying in the EU, to be named as Tory leader and prime minister.
Leadsom, who supported Brexit, said a nine-week leadership campaign is “highly undesirable” for the UK at this crucial moment.
“I have concluded that the interests of our country are best served by the immediate appointment of a strong and well-supported prime minister,” she added, noting that she will fully support May.
The contest was originally due to end on September 9 and was overseen by the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs.
Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee, said May will be formally confirmed as the new Conservative…