Undone by Brexit, May steps down as Conservative leader

May, who announced her departure two weeks ago after her career was undone by the Brexit mess, formally stepped down in a private exchange of letters with the party. (File Photo: Theresa May/Facebook)

LONDON – British Prime Minister Theresa May’s time as Conservative Party leader ended today — not with a bang, but a whimper.

May, who announced her departure two weeks ago after her career was undone by the Brexit mess, formally stepped down in a private exchange of letters with the party.

That leaves almost a dozen Conservative contenders fighting to replace her and resume the stalled quest to lead Britain out of the European Union.

The second female prime minister in British history spent the day quietly in her home constituency west of London, rather than the prime minister’s residence at 10 Downing St.

May will remain as acting leader and prime minister for a few weeks while the party picks a successor, who will become the next prime minister.

Conservative lawmakers will hold a secret ballot on Thursday, with any candidates who don’t get at least five per cent dropping out.

Further rounds will be held the following week until the field is narrowed to two.

The final two candidates will be decided in a mail-in vote by about 160-thousand Conservative members, with the winner announced the week of July 22nd.

So far, 11 Conservative lawmakers are running to replace May, vowing to succeed where she failed and renegotiate Britain’s deal to pull out of the E-U.

There’s just one problem: The E-U says that’s not going to happen.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said more than once there will be no renegotiation.

Today he lamented that “Everyone understands English, but nobody understands England.”