
Theresa May has promised to build a 'better Britain' when she is installed as Prime Minister tomorrow after being elected Tory leader.

In a sensational twist in the race for Downing Street, Mrs May seized power after her only rival Andrea Leadsom quit before ballots were sent out to party members amid claims she was naive and too inexperienced for No 10.

Hours earlier, David Cameron appeared in Downing Street this afternoon as the swansong to his premiership was brutally cut short by nine weeks. He paid tribute to his successor as 'strong, competent and more than able to provide the leadership Britain needs'.

Speaking outside the Palace of Westminster after her victory was officially confirmed, Mrs May promised 'strong leadership' when she takes the reins of power in two days time.

Britain's next Prime Minister told the nation: 'During this campaign my case has been based on three things.

'First, the need for strong, proven leadership, to steer us through what will be difficult and uncertain economic and political times, the need to negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU and to forge a new role for ourselves in the world.'

Mrs May added: 'Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it.'

Mr Cameron emerged from No 10 this afternoon to confirm he would hold his final Cabinet meeting tomorrow, complete a valedictory PMQs on Wednesday and then take the short journey to Buckingham Palace to submit his resignation to the Queen.

The outgoing Prime Minister, who announced he would quit after losing the EU referendum less than three weeks ago, was at the Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire when the Tory contest reached an abrupt end and his early departure means he will miss a final outing on the world stage at the G20 in China.

As she prepares to take office, Mrs May is already facing calls to call a snap general election - including even from the Labour Party which is mired in its own leadership contest after Angela Eagle gathered the necessary 51 nominations to force a contest against Jeremy Corbyn.

Theresa May promised 'strong leadership' as she said she was 'humbled' to be elected as Tory leader. Mrs May will be installed as the Prime Minister on Wednesday after her only rival for the Tory crown dropped out of the race

Mrs May appeared alongside husband Philip May as she made her first remarks as Conservative Party leader outside the Palace of Westminster this afternoon. She has promised her Government will seek to build a 'better Britain'

Mrs May paid tribute to David Cameron in her speech outside Parliament and said she was 'honoured and humbled' to be chosen to lead the Conservative Party

Mrs May was surrounded by Tory allies outside the Palace of Westminster, including (front row from left) Victoria Atkins, Helen Whatley, Chris Grayling, Damian Green, Amber Rudd, James Brokenshire, Justine Greening and Brandon Lewis - many of whom may hope for promotion this week as Mrs May build her administration

Mrs May was greeted by a huge press pack as she made her first remarks at leader of the Conservative Party at the St Stephen's Entrance to the Palace of Westminster

The extraordinary moment when, shortly after noon, Mrs Leadsom abandoned her run at No 10 came less than a week after she won a surprise second place in a ballot of Tory MPs and capped an historic 17 days following the EU referendum on June 23.

Mrs Leadsom announced her bid to be Prime Minister on June 30 - the same morning as Michael Gove sensationally knifed Boris Johnson by launching his own doomed bid for the Tory crown.

The collapse of her campaign today comes after another bitter weekend of Tory infighting over her toxic suggestion being a mother would give her an edge over Mrs May in No 10.

The bloody referendum aftermath has left Mrs May standing alone far ahead of all her Conservative Party rivals and planning her government, which will get to work on Wednesday.

Chris Grayling, as the last leading Brexit campaigner on the winning side of the Tory divide, is earmarked for a significant promotion - possibly to lead the department for Brexit.

George Osborne has been touted as a possible Foreign Secretary while Philip Hammond could go the other way to take the reins at the Treasury.

A DAY THAT TURNED BRITAIN'S POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT UPSIDE DOWN - AGAIN On yet another extraordinary day in Westminster, David Cameron's career as Prime Minister came to an end and Theresa May prepared to take over in No 10. This is how it unfolded: 10.44am: David Cameron appears at the Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire. He uses a speech to discuss the post-referendum period and confirms he has signed a deal for new maritime surveillance aircraft. 11.08am: Theresa May is giving a speech about her plans for Number 10 as she launches the second part of her leadership campaign to win over party members. 11.36am: Rumours emerge Andrea Leadsom is about to quit the race and will make a statement at noon. 12.13pm: Andrea Leadsom confirms she is withdrawing from the Tory leadership race. 15.55pm: David Cameron appears in Downing Street to confirm his premiership will end on Wednesday afternoon 5.00pm: Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee, confirms Theresa May is Conservative leader with 'immediate effect' 5.35pm: Mrs May appears outside Parliament alongside the massed ranks of Tory MPs to promise 'Brexit means Brexit'. Advertisement

Mrs Leadsom is likely to get a Cabinet job after making the second round of the Tory candidates while junior ministers who backed Brexit, such as Penny Mordaunt and Priti Patel will likely be in line for promotion.

On another extraordinary post-Brexit day in Westminster:

Theresa May made a planned speech in Birmingham on what was meant to be the first day of her campaign in the second phase of the Tory leadership contest. She promised to set out 'serious social reform'.

But Andrea Leadsom's decision to pull out of the race left the event as Mrs May's prospectus for Government as within an hour of her speech, the election was run.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party all called for a snap general election - despite Labour being mired in its own bitter leadership contest.

Mr Cameron this afternoon emerged from Downing Street to confirm he would leave office on Wednesday afternoon after one final Prime Minister's Questions.

The rapid and brutal end to Mr Cameron's tenure as Prime Minister comes after 17 days in Westminster which has seen the fall of Boris Johnson at the hands of Michael Gove, swiftly followed by the demise of Mr Gove's own campaign for leader.

Speculation is already focussed on Mrs May's first Cabinet. Rumours suggest George Osborne could go to the Foreign Office - possibly in a job swap with Philip Hammond, who could go to the Treasury.

Chris Grayling, the last of the leading Vote Leave campaigners to still be on the winning side of the Tory row, is thought likely to lead a department tasked with negotiating Brexit.

Promotions are also tipped for Priti Patel and Penny Mordaunt.

Speaking on the steps of Parliament, Mrs May said: 'I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen by the Conservative party to become its leader.

'I would like to pay tribute to the other candidates during the election campaign and I would like to pay tribute to Andrea Leadsom for the dignity she has shown today.

'I would also like to pay tribute to David Cameron for the leadership that he has shown our party and our country.

'During this campaign my case has been based on three things. First, the need for strong, proven leadership, to steer us through what will be difficult and uncertain economic and political times, the need to negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU and to forge a new role for ourselves in the world.

'Brexit means Brexit and we're going to make a success of it.

'Second we need to unite our country and third we need a strong, new, positive vision for the future of our country, a vision of a country that works not for the privileged few, but works for every one of us because we're going to give people more control of their lives.

'And that's how together we will build a better Britain. Thank you.'

David Cameron, pictured in Downing Street this afternoon, confirmed he would resign as Prime Minister on Wednesday afternoon following a final appearance at PMQs

Mr Cameron came out into a damp Downing Street to confirm he would be leaving office nine weeks earlier than planned after the Tory leadership election to replace him was brought to an abrupt conclusion today

Mr Cameron was heard humming as he returned to Downing Street for almost the final time this afternoon, knowing his time as PM will come to an end on Wednesday afternoon

Mrs May's husband Philip was at the victory speech outside St Stephen's entrance and gave his wife a kiss on the cheek as she was cheered by supporters.

THERESA MAY'S FIRST STATEMENT Theresa May appeared in Westminster to make her first remarks as Tory leader. She said: 'I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen by the Conservative party to become its leader. 'I would like to pay tribute to the other candidates during the election campaign and I would like to pay tribute to Andrea Leadsom for the dignity that she has shown today. 'I would also like to pay tribute to David Cameron, for the leadership that he has shown our party and our country. 'During this campaign my case has been based on three things: first, the need for strong, proven leadership to steer us through what will be difficult and uncertain economic and political times, the need of course to negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU and to forge a new role for ourselves in the world. 'Brexit means Brexit, and we are going to make a success of it. 'Second, we need to unite our country. 'And third, we need a strong new positive vision for the future of our country, 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.' Advertisement

Chris Grayling rejected calls for a snap election, stressing that Mrs May was a senior member of the Tory team that won the general election last year.

The Cabinet minister said: 'It's 15 months since the Conservative Party got a mandate with her as one of its key leading members - I think the last thing this country needs right now is a general election.'

He paid tribute to Mrs Leadsom's 'noble' decision.

'I think today's events have been a little unexpected but I would pay tribute to Andrea Leadsom for putting the country's interests and the need for strong leadership at a difficult time ahead of her own interests.

'I think that's absolutely right for her to have done that, she's been very noble in putting her interests second - it shows that she's a true public servant,' he said.

The Commons Leader said the rapturous reception received by Mrs May at the 1922 Committee and outside Parliament showed that she commands the support of the vast majority of Tory MPs, adding: 'The parliamentary party will now unite behind her '.

Mr Grayling, who has been tipped for a Cabinet job after playing a leading role in Mrs May's campaign, said he had not asked for a job.

'What she decides to do about her Cabinet is entirely up to her - I've not asked for a job, nor would I expect to be offered one as part of the campaign,' he said.

Tory MP and close ally of Mrs May, Damian Green, insisted that the new prime minister did not need to call a general election.

When asked if Mrs May had a mandate, Mr Green told BBC Radio Four: 'I think she does because she was a very senior member of a Government that was elected just over a year ago.

'We don't elect presidents in this country. We elect a parliament, we elect MPs for individual seats.

'And the question the Queen asks formally, constitutionally, is 'can you command a majority in the House of Commons?' And Theresa can command a majority, so there is no need for an election.'

Mrs May was in Birmingham this morning to announce a policy agenda focused on an agenda of 'serious social reform' as Mrs Leadsom prepared her concession speech.

Graham Brady, the chairman of the MPs' backbench committee, confirmed the Conservative Party Board had accepted Mrs May's victory and confirmed she was the Conservative Party leader with 'immediate effect'.

Mr Cameron emerged from Downing Street this afternoon to confirm the timetable for his departure.

He said: 'I'm delighted that we're not going to have a prolonged Conservative leadership election campaign.

'I think Andrea Leadsom has made absolutely the right decision to stand aside and it's clear Theresa May has the overwhelming support of the Conservative parliamentary party.

'I'm also delighted that Theresa May will be the next Prime Minister; she is strong, she is competent, she is more than able to provide the leadership that our country is going to need in the years ahead and she will have my full support.

'Obviously with these changes we don't need to have a prolonged period of transition and so tomorrow I will chair my last Cabinet meeting, on Wednesday I will attend the House the Commons for Prime Minister's Questions and then after that I expect to go to the Palace and offer my resignation, so we'll have a new prime minister in that building behind me by Wednesday evening.'

Theresa May was this afternoon dashing back to London to respond to developments in the knowledge she will soon be made Britain's new Prime Minister

Mrs May made her speech just an hour Mrs Leadsom sensationally quit the race and will now be preparing to take hold of the reins of power within days

Home Secretary Theresa May, pictured making a major speech this morning before Mrs Leadsom's concession, set out her stall to run a government in the centre ground of politics with an agenda of 'serious social reform' in a major break from David Cameron's premiership

Amid extraordinary scenes in the heart of Westminster and surrounded by allies, Mrs Leadsom announced her withdrawal from the race shortly after noon today.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The decision of Mrs Leadsom to pull out of the race has brought an early end to the contest to find a successor to David Cameron, which had been due to run until September 9. Mr Cameron announced this afternoon that he would now leave office on Wednesday afternoon. There is a well established choreography in place to transfer power. After completing a final Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Mr Cameron will travel to Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation as Prime Minister to the Queen. At the meeting, he will recommend Mrs May be called to form a new Government as the person who can command a majority in the House of Commons. Mrs May will then be summoned to the Palace to be appointed before returning to No 10 as Prime Minister. She will then set about appointing her first Government with the first Cabinet meeting likely being scheduled for next Tuesday, July 19. Advertisement

She said: 'A nine week leadership campaign at such a critical moment for our country is highly undesirable.

'We need a new Prime Minister in place as soon as possible. Theresa May carried over 60 per cent support in the parliamentary party. She is ideally placed to implement Brexit on the best possible terms.

'I have however concluded that the interests of our country are best served by the immediate appointment of a strong and well-supported prime minister.

'I am therefore withdrawing from the leadership election and I wish Theresa May the very greatest success. I assure her of my full support.'

Graham Brady, the MP who is in charge of the contest, announced 'Theresa May is the only remaining candidate' and said the Tory Party Board would meet this afternoon to lay down a timetable.

Speaking outside the Palace of Westminster, Mr Brady said Mrs May would still need to be 'formally confirmed' as the winner and indicated at an impromptu press conference this would be done later today.

Mrs May, who today made a speech in Birmingham to set out her plans, this afternoon rushed back to London to respond to developments. She is expected to speak publicly after addressing Tory MPs in Westminster.

Chris Grayling, Mrs May's campaign manager, today paid tribute to Mrs Leadsom for being 'willing to put the leadership of the country' ahead of her own ambitions, describing her as a ' a true public servant'.

Speaking outside the Palace of Westminster, he said: 'On her behalf (Mrs May) is enormously honoured to be entrusted with this task by so many of her parliamentary colleagues.

'Now is the time for us to unite as a party and to get on with the job of doing everything we can to secure a strong and prosperous and successful future for our country.'

In her speech today, Mrs Leadsom urged a quick resolution to the contest in her absence.

She said: 'Business needs certainty. A strong and unified government must move quickly to set out what an independent United Kingdom's framework for business looks like.

'It is also essential that current EU workers in the UK and businesses that employ them know where they stand.

'The Conservative party was elected only last year with a strong manifesto. We now need a new prime minister in place as soon as possible, committed to fulfilling that manifesto as well as implementing the full instructions from the referendum.'

Mrs Leadsom sparked outrage when she told Saturday's The Times she had a bigger stake in the future of Britain because she was worried about her children's future.

Last night she said she had apologised to Mrs May, who has not had children, via text message.

Just a week ago, Mrs Leadsom insisted she was in the contest for the long haul, despite fears over the impact on her family.

Mrs Leadsom made her announcement surrounded by allies, including Tim Loughton, right, and former party leader Iain Duncan Smith. She said Britain needed a new Prime Minister as soon as possible and a nine week leadership contest was in the national interest

Mrs Leadsom today emerged from a home in Westminster to announce she was quitting the race to be Tory leader, leaving the path clear for Mrs May

Boris Johnson, forced out of the race by the decision of Mrs Leadsom and Michael Gove to run against him, today endorsed Mrs May.

He said: 'Theresa May will provide the authority and the leadership necessary to unite the Conservative Party and take the country forward in the coming weeks and months.

'Andrea's decision, which is both brave and principled, allows that process to begin immediately. I have no doubt Theresa will make an excellent party leader and Prime Minister and I'm encouraged that she's made it clear that Brexit means Brexit - that we will leave the EU.

'It is vital that we respect the will of the people and get on with exploiting new opportunities for this country.'

Chancellor George Osborne, speaking in New York, said: 'The British economy needs certainty so I think it's in everyone's interests that she takes up that position as prime minister in the coming days.'

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith claimed there had been a 'black ops' campaign against Mrs Leadsom, with rumours that she was 'deeply Ukip' and an 'extremist'.

Owen Paterson today said Mrs Leadsom had been under 'assault' since winning her place in the second round of the contest last week.

And Mr Gove, who finished a distant third among MPs, said: 'Andrea Leadsom spoke with great dignity and courage today. I wish her every success in the future.

'We should now move as quickly as possible to ensure Theresa May can take over as leader. She has my full support as our next Prime Minister.'

In an angry statement Tim Loughton, who led a bizarre march on Parliament last week in support of Mrs Leadsom said: 'Throughout our short campaign we have made it clear that we should be relentlessly focussed on the positive case for electing Andrea as Leader without the need to undermine the qualities of her opponents.

'Despite an onslaught of often very personal attacks from colleagues and journalists we have never deviated from that goal.

'Colleagues who have chosen to further their own ends by putting smear above respect will no doubt account for their motivations but it is genuinely puzzling to understand who they think they are helping.

'It is certainly not our Party or our constituents.

'It is absolutely not the job of media commentators to 'big up' politicians whether in this leadership contest or elsewhere in politics.

'But neither should it be their compulsion constantly to try to trip them up. Using spin and underhand tactics against decent people whose prime motivation is to serve has for too long undermined the confidence of the public in our politics.'

Labour's shadow minister without portfolio Jon Ashworth today congratulated Mrs May on her success.

But he added: 'Ultimately the issue is not whether she can deliver for the Conservative Party but what her offer is as Prime Minister and whether it delivers for ordinary working people.

'People want a Government that puts them first and a leader who can deliver for them.

'That will be difficult for Theresa May given her record of failure and the wrong choices: cuts to police funding, the loss of 18,000 police officers and overseeing chaos in the Passport Office.

'Theresa May has today set out a detailed critique of the failures of the Tory Government, but there was absolutely no recognition of the fact she has been at the heart of this failing government for the last six years.'

Jon Trickett added: 'It is crucial, given the instability caused by the Brexit vote, that the country has a democratically elected Prime Minister.

'I am now putting the whole of the party on a General Election footing. It is time for the Labour Party to unite and ensure the millions of people in the country left behind by the Tories' failed economic policies, have the opportunity to elect a Labour government.'

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron blasted Mrs May as 'divisive, illiberal and calculating'.

He said: 'Just 13 months after the last election the Conservatives have plunged the UK into chaos. It is simply inconceivable that Theresa May should be crowned Prime Minister without even having won an election in her own party, let alone the country.

'There must be an election. The Conservatives must not be allowed to ignore the electorate, their mandate is shattered and lies in ruins.

'Britain deserves better than this Tory stitch up.

'May has not set out an agenda, and has no right to govern. She has not won an election and the public must have their say.'

Responding to the row over her comments, Mrs Leadsom told today's Daily Telegraph: 'I've said to Theresa how very sorry I am for the hurt I have caused and how the article said completely the opposite of what I said and believe.'

The Times today revealed the apology was sent in a text message and revealed Mrs May was 'grateful' for the note.

Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee who is running the contest, today said Mrs May was the only candidate left ahead of a meeting of the party board today

Addressing the media outside the Palace of Westminster today, Mr Brady stopped short of confirming Mrs May would be installed as Prime Minister later today

Mrs Leadsom had insisted that she did not want motherhood to play a part in the campaign and that she 'deeply regrets that anyone has got the impression that I think otherwise'.

Mrs Leadsom said she had felt 'under attack' since the row over her comments.

She claims she was pressed to say how her children had formed her views and she didn't want it to be used as an issue.

Her allies said the furore over the motherhood remarks was part of 'black ops' being run by the 'Establishment' to 'denigrate her reputation' and derail her bid for No 10.

But David Davis, a prominent backer of Mrs May, said Mrs Leadsom's comments had betrayed her lack of experience.

In a withering put-down, the former Tory leadership contender said: 'At the moment she's too inexperienced for a really important job at the most important time in our history.'

Chris Grayling, Theresa May's campaign manager, spoke outside the House of Commons today to say Mrs May was honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of No 10 by her colleagues

Mr Grayling said 'now is the time for us to unite as a party and to get on with the job of doing everything we can to secure a strong and prosperous and successful future for our country'

The row follows an explosive interview Mrs Leadsom gave to Saturday's Times newspaper, headlined 'Being a mother gives me the edge on May'. The newspaper quoted Mrs Leadsom saying that Mrs May 'possibly has nieces, nephews, lots of people'. She added: 'But I have children who are going to have children who will directly be part of what happens next'.

The Home Secretary has previously spoken about how she and husband Philip were affected by being unable to have children.

Mrs Leadsom's remarks triggered a blizzard of ferocious criticism, led by some of the Tory Party's most senior women.

Business minister Anna Soubry urged Mrs Leadsom to 'do us all a favour including herself' and quit the leadership contest because she was clearly not 'PM material'.

Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson said: 'I am childless. I have nieces and nephews. I believe I – like everybody else – have a very real stake in our country.'

Senior backbencher Sir Alan Duncan tweeted: 'I'm gay and in a civil partnership. No children, but ten nieces and nephews. Do I not have a stake in the future of the country. Vile.'

As she's handed the keys to Number 10 Theresa May pledges 'serious social reform' in major break from Cameron and Osborne amid growing pressure to call snap election

Theresa May (pictured in Birmingham today) pledged to deliver 'serious social reform' in a major break from David Cameron's premiership as she was handed the keys to Number 10 by Andrea Leadsom's dramatic decision to pull out of the Tory leadership contest

Theresa May pledged to deliver 'serious social reform' in a major break from David Cameron's premiership as she was handed the keys to Number 10 by Andrea Leadsom's dramatic decision to pull out of the Tory leadership contest.

The Home Secretary, who will be prime minister on Wednesday, made a clear pitch for the centre-ground of British politics as she set out her 'bold, new, positive vision for the future of our country'.

And she dismissed any fears that as someone who campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU she would seek to dilute the terms of withdrawing from the EU, declaring: 'Brexit means Brexit'.

In a speech in Birmingham Mrs May promised new laws to block fat cat pay and bonuses as she promises to stand up for ordinary workers.

She was speaking just an hour before her leadership rival Mrs Leadsom announced she was dropping out of the race.

Despite saying earlier this month she would not call a general election before 2020, Mrs May is coming under increasing pressure to change tack now there won't be a leadership contest.

She is under particular pressure because of comments she made when Gordon Brown took over from Tony Blair in 2007.

Mrs May said he had 'no democratic mandate' and must call a general election, declaring the Tories were 'ready for him,' adding: 'Bring it on'.

Labour, the Lib Dems and the Green party have already demanded Mrs May hold an election in the autumn, saying it was 'crucial' the country has a 'democratically elected prime minister'.

In her speech this morning Mrs May also vowed to give consumers and staff seats on company boards in a bid to crack down on 'corporate irresponsibility'.

The changes are intended to show Mrs May can reach out to the blue-collar workers who were the bedrock of Margaret Thatcher's electoral success.

They also show her determination to be the candidate who can reunite the country as well as the Tory party.

Launching the second phase of her bid for No 10 minutes before Mrs Leadsom dropped out, she vowed to build a Britain 'that works for everyone – not just the privileged few'.

Mrs May said she hopes to 'bring people back together – rich and poor, north and south ... young and old, male and female, black and white'.

Cameron SINGS as he says goodbye to Downing Street: Bizarre moment PM is caught on mic humming a tune as he walked into No 10 after press conference

David Cameron will be leaving 10 Downing Street on Wednesday - nine weeks earlier than planned after another breathtaking day in Westminster saw the Tory leadership contest cut short.

He set out the timetable for handing over the No 10 keys to Theresa May, who was announced the new Tory leader after her rival Andrea Leadsom pulled out of the race.

Bizarrely, the outgoing Prime Minister was then caught on microphone humming a tune as he walked back into Number 10.

There is disagreement over what tune he was, with some suggesting it was the theme tune to American political TV drama The West Wing and others saying it was from Winnie-the-Pooh.

It capped another strange day in Westminster politics, with Mrs May launching the second phase of her leadership campaign just an hour before Mrs Leadsom conceded.

Today's fast-paced developments means Mr Cameron's swansong to his premiership is brutally cut short and his wife Samantha and three children Nancy, Arthur and Florence will have to start packing their bags to make way for Mrs May and her husband Philip on Wednesday.

His six-year tenure as Prime Minister was only expected to end on September 9 and he was looking forward to final farewell tours to Africa later this month and China in September for the G20.

David Cameron emerged from No 10 this afternoon to confirm he would leave office on Wednesday and be replaced by Theresa May

The trip to China would have allowed Mr Cameron to bid farewell to many of his international colleagues.

Britain's constitution allows for a quick turnaround and now Mrs May's election as Conservative Party leader is confirmed, the machinery of government will jump into top gear to handover power.

Tomorrow Mr Cameron will chair his last Cabinet meeting and then Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions will allow him to bid farewell from the frontbench and his colleagues to pay tribute to him in the Commons.

But he is unlikely to receive the same kind of reception MPs gave Tony Blair when he quit as PM in 2007, with MPs clapping him out of the Commons in a break of tradition.

He will then take the short journey to Buckingham Palace to submit his resignation to the Queen, before Mrs May makes the same journey to inform the Queen she is forming a new government.

The new Prime Minister will spend this week appointing her new government, with big Cabinet roles expected to be handed to her close allies and Brexit champions Chris Grayling and former Defence Secretary Liam Fox.

Boris Johnson and Mrs Leadsom are also expected to be handed a Cabinet positions, while Chancellor George Osborne and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond could swap jobs.

Mr Cameron emerged from Downing Street this afternoon to confirm the timetable for his departure and paid tribute to his successor.

He said: 'I’m delighted that we’re not going to have a prolonged Conservative leadership election campaign.

'I think Andrea Leadsom has made absolutely the right decision to stand aside and it’s clear Theresa May has the overwhelming support of the Conservative parliamentary party.

‘I’m also delighted that Theresa May will be the next Prime Minister; she is strong, she is competent, she is more than able to provide the leadership that our country is going to need in the years ahead and she will have my full support.