Theresa May has today announced her resignation from leader of the Conservative Party where she will officially stand down on Friday June 7.
Around 15 Conservative MPs are expected to run over the summer to replace May and become Britain's next Prime Minister and leader of the Tories. However, we could expect to see more MPs coming forward in the next few days. It really is anyone's game.
In her statement outside Number 10 today (May 24), May said it will always remain a source of great regret that she could not deliver Brexit.
Nearly in tears, she said it has been the 'honour of her life' to be "the second Prime Minister, but certainly not the last".
She said: "We stand together and together we have a great future. Our politics may be under strain but there is so much that is good about this country, so much to be proud of, so much to be optimistic about."
But who will fill her shoes?
Here are the 15 MPs that could become our next PM
Boris Johnson
Johnson is a firm favourite of the Tory members and the only candidate to win a Mayoral election in London.
After deciding against the contest in 2016, this year he confirmed he was "definitely going to go for it" when questioned at the BIBA 2019 business conference last week in Manchester.
Andrea Leadsom
Leadsom has said she is "seriously considering" standing for PM after she was left in the final two with Theresa May in 2016. Leadsom withdrew to let May become PM without a vote.
Dominic Raab
Another favourite within the party, the former Brexit Secretary has already started his campaign to become PM, with the Ready for Raab Twitter account already up and running.
Rory Stewart
The lesser known International Development Secretary began his bid in an interview last month with The Spectator.
"If you want someone who really enjoys doing stuff and loves government and is really proud of the country and feel that’s their thing, I’m really enthusiastic," he said.
Esther McVey
Avid Brexit believer, McVey resigned from her role as Work and Pensions Secretary last November in protest of May's deal.
Michael Gove
Previous Education Secretary, he is now tackling all things environment in his new role, and is likely to stand after he finished third in the last leadership contest.
Jeremy Hunt
His move from Remainer to Brexit supporter has led a number of Conservatives to get behind him.
Sajid Javid
The Home Secretary has received support since his hard policy making on security, but it is unclear about whether he will chose to run.
He said: "There won’t be a shortage of candidates" and teased "you’ll just have to wait and see."
Matt Hancock
Health Secretary Hancock has risen quickly through the government ranks. He has said he has a "strong view about the sort of leader we need".
Steve Baker
If the new PM has to be a Brexiter, the Eurosceptic could certainly be high on the list.
Justine Greening
The former Cabinet Minister said she'd consider it when speaking on the Acting Prime Minister podcast.
Amber Rudd
Rudd is one of the most senior Remain Tories, and has regained standing in Government since resigning in April 2018 over the Windrush scandal.
Although she has significant support on the backbenches, having held a number of Cabinet positions, she has refused to answer whether she will run.
Liz Truss
The Brexiteer has hinted at a leadership bid after she posted a video on social media about "reviving" the dream of home ownership in Britain.
James Cleverly
Speaking to the Telegraph, the newbie to politics said that all talented MPs should want the top job and that "we should have as much competition in the race for leadership" as possible.
Penny Mordaunt
Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt is one of the Cabinet’s most prominent Brexiteers. She appeared on reality TV show Splash! but it's unclear whether she'll make an appearance in the leadership contest.
Bookies favourites
Here are the bookies favourite according to Betfred :
Boris Johnson 5/4
Dominic Raab 4/1
Michael Gove 9/1
Jeremy Hunt 14/1
Andrea Leadsom 14/1
Rory Stewart 22/1
Penny Mordaunt 22/1
Sajid Javid 25/1
Jeremy Corbyn 33/1
David Lidington 33/1
