Meet the contenders to be UK's next PM – and their Brexit plans

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The race to replace Theresa May as leader of Britain's Conservatives and prime minister is underway, with 11 declared candidates – and others waiting in the wings – battling it out to win the support of fellow MPs and party members in a contest that's all about Brexit.

Here's a rundown of the contenders for 10 Downing Street, and their plans to take Britain out of the European Union.

Boris Johnson (54)

Former foreign secretary

The leader of the Leave campaign, who quit as foreign secretary over May's Brexit deal, was London mayor during the 2012 Olympics. He made his name as a journalist and TV personality.

Leadership pitch: I can deliver a hard Brexit quickly and beat Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn in an election.

Brexit plan (voted Leave): Exit the EU on October 31, "deal or no-deal."

Support: The clear favorite among party members according to a recent YouGov poll, and slowly building momentum with MPs.

Jeremy Hunt (52)

Foreign secretary

A moderate safe pair of hands in a series of government roles since 2010, who, on a visit to Beijing, famously said his Chinese wife was Japanese. He had success in business before entering politics.

Leadership pitch: I'm the only entrepreneur in the race, a traditional Conservative who can bring the party together.

Brexit plan (voted Remain): Voted Remain, ran for leadership in 2016 on a second referendum platform, indicated support for no-deal, now opposes it.

Support: Strong backing among MPs as a compromise candidate.

Esther McVey (51)

Former work and pensions secretary

The former breakfast TV presenter, who launched her leadership bid with a pub tour, quit the Cabinet over May's Brexit deal and has campaigned as a "blue-collar Conservative."

Leadership pitch: I'll win working-class votes, revitalize deprived areas and spend foreign aid at home.

Brexit plan (voted Leave): A "clean break" – no-deal.

Support: Limited in parliament, and not included in membership polling.

Michael Gove (51)

Environment secretary

An experienced, reforming minister and former journalist who split with former ally David Cameron to back leaving the EU, before betraying Johnson in the 2016 leadership contest by resigning as his campaign manager to launch his own failed bid for Downing Street.

Leadership pitch: I can work with Leavers and Remainers to unite the party.

Brexit plan (voted Leave): Keep no-deal "under-the-table," consider extension and renegotiation.

Support: Support among moderate MPs, but right-wingers are suspicious of his loyalty to May's deal.

Andrea Leadsom (56)

Former leader of House of Commons

Her leadership bid in 2016 collapsed after she suggested she would be the better PM than May because she had children, and her resignation from government hastened May's departure.

Leadership pitch: I can lead this country into a brighter future.

Brexit plan (voted Leave): May's deal is dead, pursue a "managed" no-deal exit on October 31.

Support: Limited, but some backing among right-wing MPs.

Rory Stewart (46)

International development secretary

A best-selling travel writer who walked across Afghanistan, has grabbed headlines with an unconventional social media campaign and opposition to no-deal Brexit.

Leadership pitch: I'm different! A realistic Conservative who can unite the country.

Brexit plan (voted Remain): May's deal is the only option, no-deal Brexit would be "a huge mistake, damaging, unnecessary."

Support: Big name MPs back him, but the scale of support is limited.

Matt Hancock (40)

Health secretary

An energetic moderate, the former chief of staff to George Osborne and Bank of England economist has his own mobile APP and believes he can appeal to younger voters.

Leadership pitch: Skip a generation, I wasn't involved in Brexit negotiations, fresh leadership needed.

Brexit plan (voted Remain): No-deal is not viable, negotiate an "end point" to Irish backstop.

Support: A small group of progressive Conservative MPs, slowly building wider recognition.

Dominic Raab (45)

Former Brexit secretary

A former lawyer, the uncompromising Brexiteer and karate black-belt was sacked by May as justice minister, returned as Brexit secretary only to quit over the prime minister's deal.

Leadership pitch: I'm the tax-cutting Brexit true-believer.

Brexit plan (voted Leave): UK must "calmly demonstrate unflinching resolve to leave in October – at the latest."

Support: Backed by hardline Brexiteers.

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Sajid Javid (49)

Home secretary

An ally of George Osborne and former investment banker, whose Pakistani father came to Britain with just one pound, he has taken increasingly hardline positions in recent months.

Leadership pitch: It's time to rebuild trust, find unity and create new opportunities across the UK.

Brexit plan (voted Remain): Unlock stalemate with a "modern digitized" Irish border, but prepare for no-deal exit.

Support: A handful of MPs from his failed joint-ticket leadership bid in 2016.

Sam Gyimah (42)

Former universities minister

The former banker quit the government over May's Brexit plan and says he would vote to stay in the EU in a second referendum.

Leadership pitch: Voters want a final say on Brexit.

Brexit plan (voted Remain): Backs a second referendum – the only candidate to do so.

Support: Minimal. Members are overwhelmingly opposed to a second referendum, and few Conservative MPs are in favor.

Mark Harper (49)

Former immigration minister

An ally of David Cameron, the high-flier was brought down to earth in 2014 when forced to resign as immigration minister after it emerged his cleaner didn't have permission to work in the UK.

Leadership pitch: I'm an underdog, but I wasn't involved in Brexit – my hands are clean.

Brexit plan (voted Remain): Extend the deadline and renegotiate May's deal.

Support: Well-regarded, but little-known outside Westminster.

Mulling their options

Penny Mordaunt (Leave, 46)

Britain's first female defense secretary is widely regarded as a bright talent with a big future, but the Brexiteer is yet to declare her candidacy.

Steve Baker (Leave, 48)

The hardline euroskeptic says he will join the contest if other candidates don't embrace a no-deal exit.

Sir Graham Brady (Leave, 52)

Resigned as chair of the backbench MPs group, the 1922 Committee, to explore a run based on the "Brady amendment" – the only Brexit deal to get a majority in the House of Commons.

Priti Patel (Leave, 47)

The former international development secretary is a committed Brexiteer who has said only a candidate willing to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 deserves to be prime minister.