LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s Theresa May has said she will resign as Conservative Party leader on June 7, setting up a contest that will bring a new prime minister to power who could pursue a cleaner break with the European Union.

FILE PHOTO - Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech in response to the Augar Review into post-18 education in central London, Britain May 30, 2019. Daniel Leal-Olivas/Pool via REUTERS

May’s announcement does not trigger a parliamentary election. So far 11 candidates are running to replace her. The winner of the contest will become party leader and prime minister.

Here is how that process, which is overseen by an internal party group known as the 1922 Committee, is expected to work:

CANDIDATES NOMINATED:

Candidates putting themselves forward for the leadership must be backed by eight other Conservative lawmakers. This is higher than in previous contests, after the committee made rule changes designed to cull weaker candidates.

A call for candidates will be made at 1600 GMT on June 7. Nominations will be received from 0900 GMT June 10 and will close at 1600 GMT on the same day.

BALLOT OF LAWMAKERS: From June 13

Conservatives lawmakers then hold several rounds of votes to whittle down the number of candidates. Each time they are asked to vote for their favored candidate in a secret ballot.

Any candidate with 16 votes or fewer in the first round, due on June 13 between 0900 GMT and 1100 GMT, is eliminated. If all candidates have more than 16 votes, the one with the fewest votes is eliminated.

In the second round of voting any candidate with 32 votes or fewer is eliminated. If all candidates have more than 32 votes, the one with the fewest votes is eliminated.

Further ballots are scheduled on June 18, 19 and 20, and will continue until two candidates remain.

MEMBERSHIP VOTE: Concludes in week beginning July 22

The final two candidates are put to a ballot of the wider Conservative Party membership, with the winner named the new leader. This ballot has been carried out by post in previous contests.

The party said it wanted to complete this stage of the process in the week beginning July 22.

The party has around 160,000 members. It said hustings would take place on June 22 and non-members would also be given the chance to meet and question candidates.

WHO IS PRIME MINISTER DURING THE CONTEST?

In her resignation speech, May said she would serve as prime minister until the leadership election process was concluded.