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The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, has said she will be stepping down as the Conservative Party leader and prime minister on June 7. Until a new party leader is elected, however, May would remain the prime minister in a caretaker role.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, the official residence and the office of the British Prime Minister, May said, “I will shortly leave the job that has been the honour of my life to hold—the second female prime minister but certainly not the last. I do so with no ill-will but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love.”

In a historic referendum, the United Kingdom voted on June 23, 2016 to leave the European Union – the economic union that is made up of 28 member countries – after 43 years in the union. Initially scheduled to depart the EU on 29 March, 2019, the Brexit deadline has since been extended to 31 October, 2019. Meanwhile, the terms of the departure have yet to be finalised with the EU.

May’s predecessor, David Cameron, resigned in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum in 2016. Despite campaigning to stay in the European Union (EU), May embraced Brexit upon taking office, saying “Brexit means Brexit.”

But she has faced considerable opposition to her leadership from within her party and the opposition. The Parliament has rejected May’s Brexit withdrawal proposals three times. May said, “it is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit.”  

According to May, "I negotiated the terms of our exit and a new relationship with our closest neighbours that protects jobs, our security and our union. I have done everything I can to convince MPs to back that deal.”

She said her achievements as Prime Minister include reducing unemployment and boosting funding for mental health. The Conservative Party has said a new leader, who will automatically become the prime minister, is expected to be elected before the end of July.