A surprise offer by Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May to step aside if her plan for Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union is approved has prompted political analysts to speculate about who might replace her as Conservative Party leader. May did not specify a date for her departure, it would not come until after the May 22 deadline for Brexit. Her Conservative colleagues would have to appoint a new leader to see the process through.

Candidates for party leadership have to be nominated by two other members of Parliament, though if there is only one candidate, he or she automatically becomes the new leader. If more than two candidates emerge, Conservative Members of Parliament select a choice of two candidates to present to the membership of the whole Party. Party members vote, on a “one member one vote” basis, for their preferred candidate from the shortlist.

 
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