After the failure of all attempts to reach a Brexit agreement, Theresa May will step down as leader of the Conservative Party and as prime minister of the United Kingdom.
From 7 June, Theresa May will no longer be the leader of the British Conservative Party. In the weeks that follow, her successor will be chosen, and by the end of July will take over from her as prime minister of the United Kingdom. This brings to a close her tenure as prime minister, which began in July 2016 when she took over from David Cameron in the wake of the Brexit referendum, and was renewed at the 2017 general election.
It is precisely the repeated rejections of any proposed withdrawal agreement for the United Kingdom's departure from the Union that, May admits, forced her to throw in the towel. "It is and will remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit." Before taking over the baton from Cameron, the Conservative leader had campaigned for remain.
"I will shortly leave the job that has been the honour of my life: to be the second female prime minister, but certainly not the last. I do so with no ill will, but with enormous gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love." With these words, and her voice breaking with emotion, May said her farewell and stepped back through the door of 10 Downing Street.