TORIES START CHOOSING NEXT LEADER
LONDON— The race to succeed Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron intensified Tuesday as Britain grappled with growing signs of economic strain resulting from the country’s vote to leave the European Union.
With the British currency plunging to its lowest point in three decades, Home Secretary Theresa May scored a substantial victory in the first round of voting to determine who will follow Cameron as party leader and prime minister. She garnered just over half the votes cast, with 165 Conservative Party members of Parliament backing her. Her strong showing does not guarantee she will eventually reside at 10 Downing Street, however, as lawmakers will narrow the field to two candidates and then put the matter to a vote before the entire party membership.
That means more twists and turns are likely in the vital leadership race. The victor, to be announced Sept. 9, will be charged with becoming prime minister and leading what are expected to be tense negotiations to extricate Britain from the EU bloc.
May, who backed remaining in the EU, said she was pleased by the result in the leadership vote and very grateful to her colleagues.
She faces two challengers in Thurs- day’s second round, which will determine which candidates go forward: Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom and Justice Secretary Michael Gove.
Former defence secretary Liam Fox was eliminated after finishing last, and Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb withdrew and backed May after finishing fourth.
Top EU officials had sharp comments Tuesday about the U.K. leaders who pushed so hard to get Britain out of the EU — and then stepped aside rather than take part in the delicate talks. They include former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who declined a Conservative leadership bid after losing key support, and Nigel Farage, who resigned as leader of the U.K. Independence Party.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told EU lawmakers that Johnson and Farage “are not patriots.
“Patriots don’t resign when things get difficult,” he said. “They stay.”