What happens next? Candidates in leadership race face a gruelling timetable

Sunday May 26

The results of the European elections are announced after 10pm. They are expected to be disastrous for the Conservatives, with Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party expected to win.

June 3-5

Donald Trump, the US president, makes a formal state visit to the UK.

Friday June 7

Theresa May stands down as Conservative leader, formally triggering the leadership contest. She will stay on as a “caretaker” prime minister.

Monday June 10

The contest begins as MPS are nominated by colleagues. As many as 18 candidates are due to stand in the first round. They conduct a series of parliamentary hustings in an attempt to win support. A ballot of Tory MPS is held in which the candidate with the least support drops off the list; this process is repeated until two candidates remain. Candidates who realise they do not command enough support to get on to the ballot may also take the decision to withdraw from the race. The 1922 Committee, which sets the rules of the contest, believes that the process will last a minimum of a fortnight, but could take significantly longer.

Monday June 24

The leadership hustings are expected to begin as the final two candidates selected by MPS make their case to 150,000 members of the Tory Party, who will choose the winner. During a monthlong campaign, the candidates go head to head in as many as 11 regional hustings held around the country. They take questions directly from activists as they seek to win support. A candidate achieving more than 50 per cent of the vote among party members will be declared leader of the party. Only members of the Conservative Party who joined before the “call for nominations” was opened to MPS are allowed to take part.

Friday June 28

Theresa May attends the G20 in Japan, her last major international summit.

End of July

Conservative members are expected to have elected a new party leader ahead of the summer recess, in time to form a new Cabinet. Mrs May stands down as prime minister.

Sunday Sept 29

The Conservative Party conference takes place in Manchester, where the new prime minister will set out a policy platform and Brexit strategy in more detail.

Thursday Oct 31

The deadline for securing a deal with the EU. If a deal is not reached or an extension is not granted, Britain could leave the EU without a deal.