May steps down as leader of Conservatives on Friday, expected to stay on as PM for long, as leadership battle expected to take long

Theresa May steps down as Conservative Party leader on 7 June, but not as prime minister.

She will carry on governing the country and fulfilling her official duties until a successor is chosen. 

The Conservative leadership contest will begin formally the week after she steps down – on 10 June.

The Independent reports “With concern mounting that the crowded field – which at one point reached 13 contenders – would mean a long and unwieldy election period, Committee officials last week announced a new format designed to cull no-hopers early in the process.

Candidates now require the nominations of eight other MPs to stand, rather than the proposer and seconder demanded in previous contests.

In a first ballot of Conservative MPs on 13 June, candidates with fewer than 17 votes will be eliminated. If all receive 17 or more votes, the least popular goes out. If there is a tie for last place, officials will speak to the two candidates involved to see whether both should drop out or the ballot be re-run.”

Via The Independent