Theresa May will face Andrea Leadsom in a poll of Conservative members to decide the next Prime Minister
Home secretary Theresa May will face energy minister Andrea Leadsom in the final contest to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron.
Justice secretary Michael Gove was eliminated in a ballot of Conservative MPs today.
A date has yet to be set for the final vote, although the Tories have pledged to select a new leader by September 9.
The result shows overwhelming support among MPs for Theresa May, 199 of whom backed the home secretary, up from 165 in the last vote, and almost two-thirds of the MPs that voted.
Meanwhile, Leadsom gathered the support of 84 MPs, an improvement of 18 on the last round.
However, Gove saw his support actually fall, down from 48 to 46 MPs.
Tory backbencher Liam Fox was eliminated in the first vote on Tuesday, and work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb, who came fourth, also quit the race shortly after the results were announced.
Thanks to all who supported me. Congratulations to @TheresaMay2016 and @andrealeadsom. All the best with the campaign.
— Michael Gove (@michaelgove) July 7, 2016
THE FULL RESULTS
Theresa May – 199
Andrea Leadsom – 84
Michael Gove – 46
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