GETTY•PA Tory members have joined Ukip in protest at Theresa May's coronation as PM

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A host of furious Tories have taken to social media in the past few hours to announce they have switched allegiances to the anti-Brussels party. They have made the move following the news Mrs May, who supported Britain staying in the EU, will replace David Cameron at Downing Street. The Home Secretary won the race for Number 10 after outspoken Brexit campaigner and Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom dramatically dropped out.

Steve Lawton tweeted: "Sad that Leadsom has quit. Dirty politics from some MPs and media. I have voted Tory for the last 30 years but will now be joining Ukip." Thomas Evans added: "I have seen at least 300 people on social networking sites the last five hours say that they have joined Ukip today. Purple surge?" And Dee Harvey wrote: "I am unhappy at Theresa May being our new PM and have now joined Ukip. Interestingly there is a 10-14 day wait due to volumes!"

GETTY The Home Secretary will replace David Cameron at Downing Street tomorrow

Ukip MEPs have also voiced their anger at the election of Mrs May, who has failed to slash net migration since being appointed as Home Secretary in 2010. Jane Collins said: "With a new PM from the Remain camp and a truly awful record as Home Secretary, Ukip isn't going anywhere. We must have Brexit." And former leader Nigel Farage said he was "disappointed" to hear Mrs Leadsom, who he had backed, had quit the race to replace Mr Cameron.

REUTERS Ms May has failed to slash net migration since joining the Cabinet in 2010

Theresa May's political career in pictures Tue, April 18, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to 'build a greater Britain' Play slideshow EPA 1 of 116 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (R) meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May in the capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 05 April 2017. May is visiting Saudi Arabia as part of her Middle East trip to boost diplomatic ties in the region