Johnson stakes leadership claim as Brexit brings down May

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Fighting back tears, Theresa May said on Friday she would quit after failing to deliver Brexit, setting up a contest that will install a new British prime minister who could pursue a cleaner break with the European Union.

May's departure deepens the Brexit crisis as a new leader, who should be in place by the end of July, is likely to want a more decisive split, raising the chances of a confrontation with the EU and potentially a snap parliamentary election.

Former foreign minister Boris Johnson, the favorite to replace May, was first out of the blocks, saying Britain should be prepared to leave the EU without a deal to force the bloc to offer a “good deal”.

Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrive for the ceremonial welcome for Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos at Horse Guards Parade, London, November 1, 2016. /Reuters Photo

Current foreign minister Jeremy Hunt also confirmed he would run for the leadership just hours after May, her voice cracking with emotion, said she would resign as Conservative Party leader on Friday, June 7, setting up a contest to succeed her.

"I will shortly leave the job that has been the honor of my life to hold," May said outside her Downing Street official residence with her husband, Philip, looking on.

"I do so with no ill will but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love," said the usually reserved May.

May, once a reluctant supporter of EU membership who won the top job in the turmoil that followed the 2016 Brexit referendum, steps down with her central pledge – to lead the United Kingdom out of the bloc and heal its divisions – unfulfilled.

"It is, and will always remain, a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit," May said, adding that her successor would have to find a consensus to honor the 2016 referendum result.

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said the new prime minister must hold an election to "let the people decide our country's future."

PM Boris Johnson?

The latest deadline for Britain's departure is October 31. Most of the leading contenders to succeed May want a tougher divorce deal.

Johnson, the face of the official Brexit campaign in 2016, is the favorite to succeed May, with betting markets giving him a 40-percent implied probability of winning the top job.

Anti-Brexit protesters' signs are leaned against a car outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, May 23, 2019. /Reuters Photo

He made his pitch at an economic conference in Switzerland, appealing to Brexit-supporting Conservative Party members by saying: "We will leave the EU on October 31, deal or no deal."

He said Britain could forge a "fantastic free trade relationship" with Europe after it quits the bloc but could also be a champion for global free trade.

Other candidates

Others tipped to run include Dominic Raab, a Brexit supporter and former Brexit secretary, with a 14-percent implied probability on his chances. Environment Secretary Michael Gove, former House of Commons leader Andrea Leadsom and Hunt each have a 7-percent probability, according to betting markets.

Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt and International Development Secretary Rory Stewart each have a 4-percent chance of the top job while Home Secretary Sajid Javid has a 3-percent chance.

Conservative lawmaker Graham Brady resigned as chairman of the party's 1922 Committee of backbench MPs in preparation for a potential leadership bid, the BBC said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves after announcing her resignation outside 10 Downing street in central London, May 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

Saturday, British health minister Matt Hancock confirmed that he would be the fifth candidate to enter the contest to be the next leader of the Conservative Party.

"I'm going to run to be the next prime minister because I believe from the bottom of my heart we need a leader for the future, not just for now," Hancock told BBC radio.

For many Conservative lawmakers, speed is of the essence to install a new leader to try to break the Brexit impasse.

The governing party said it would move quickly to try to end the leadership contest before parliament breaks for a summer holiday, a so-called recess which usually falls in late July.

"The fight for the heart and soul of the Conservative Party officially starts now," said Andrew Bridgen, a pro-Brexit lawmaker. "We need a new PM as soon as possible and who that is will decide the future of our democracy, our country and the Conservative Party."

(Cover: Madame Tussauds unveils new wax models of Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in London, November 8, 2017. /Reuters Photo)

Source(s): Reuters