Theresa May has been in tears when discussing her future because she finds it so painful to consider life after No 10, according to friends.

One former adviser said that the prime minister “wells up” when people try to talk to her about what she may do next.

“Those are very difficult conversations,” they said. “Her speech on the steps of No 10 when she broke into tears reflect the conversations about [her future]. This is so much bigger than a job for her — it’s her absolute life. She can’t just say ‘I did my best but I failed’.”

The prime minister has told her local constituency association that she intends to stay as an MP. “It is her constituency and church that grounds