Theresa May has officially stepped down as the leader of the Conservative Party, firing the starting pistol on the race to replace her in Number 10. 

May’s near three-year tenure as leader ended with a private exchange of letters with the chairmen of the 1922 Committee – a powerful group of backbench Tory MPs – on Friday.

However, May will remain in Downing Street as prime minister until a new Tory Party leader has chosen. It is thought the new leader – and in effect, new PM, – will be announced the week beginning July 22.

Announcing her plans to resign two weeks ago, May said Brexit – and her failure to whip up support in the Commons for her Brexit deal – was behind her decision to step down.

“It will always remain a matter of deep regret for me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit,” she said in an emotional speech outside Number 10.

“It is now clear to me that it is in the best interest of the UK for a new PM to lead that effort.”

There are currently 11 Tory MPs vying to replace May as leader of the Conservative Party, with nominations set to close on Monday.

Two contenders – Kit Malthouse and Brexit minister James Cleverly – have already dropped out of the race.

TORY LEADERSHIP CANDIDATES: 

Michael Gove – environment secretary 

Jeremy Hunt – foreign secretary 

Matt Hancock – health secretary

Sajid Javid – home secretary 

Rory Stewart – international development secretary 

Boris Johnson – former foreign secretary

Dominic Raab – former Brexit secretary 

Esther McVey – former work and pensions secretary

Andrea Leadsom – former Commons leader 

Sam Gyimah – former universities minister 

Mark Harper – former chief whip