Updated | UK’s PM-in-waiting Theresa May pledges to ‘build a better Britain’

Andrea Leadsom pulls out of the Conservative leadership race, leaving May as the sole contender, and doing away with the need for the party members to cast their vote

Last updated on 11 July 2016, 8:47pm

2 min read

Theresa May

Theresa May pledged to build a "better Britain" and to make Brexit a "success" after she was announced as the new Tory leader and soon-to-be Prime Minister.

Speaking outside Parliament, May said she was "honoured and humbled" to succeed David Cameron, after her only rival in the race – Andrea Leadsom - withdrew on Monday.

Cameron, who has been the UK’s prime minister since 2010, confirmed that he will tender his resignation to the Queen after PMQs on Wednesday.

Earlier today, Leadsom unexpectedly quit the two-way Conservative leadership contest, saying she did not have the support to build "a strong and stable government".

Andrea Leadsom

Her decision left Mrs May - the frontrunner - as the only candidate to take over the party leadership and to therefore become prime minister.

In a speech flanked by dozens of Conservative MPs, May, who has been home secretary since 2010, praised Cameron for his stewardship of the Tory party and the country.

She also praised Leadsom for her "dignity" in withdrawing her leadership bid, as well as to the three other candidates who ran in the contest.

Michael Gove: We must ensure Theresa May takes over as quickly as possible https://t.co/2WAg7EKsDE pic.twitter.com/9T9GUVyZOJ
— Telegraph Politics (@TelePolitics) July 11, 2016

"I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen by the Conservative Party to become its leader," she said, adding that her bid had been based on the need for "strong, proven leadership", the ability to unite both party and country and a "positive vision" for Britain's future.

"A vision of a country that works not for the privileged few but that works for every one of us because we're going to give people more control over their lives and that's how, together, we will build a better Britain."

May, who campaigned to stay in the EU, reiterated that "Brexit means Brexit and we're going to make a success of it."

Earlier, in a brief statement outside No 10, Cameron said he was "delighted" that May was to succeed him in Downing Street.

“Tomorrow I will chair my last cabinet meeting. On Wednesday I will attend the House of Commons for Prime Minister's Questions. After that I expect to go the Palace and offer my resignation."

The prime minister praised Mrs May as "strong" and "competent" and he said she was "more than able to provide the leadership" the UK needs in the coming years.

"She will have my full support," he added.