Could Theresa May be the UK's next Prime Minister?

Maidenhead and Twyford MP Theresa May has emerged as an early contender to replace outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.

Mr Cameron announced his decision to quit his post during an emotional speech outside 10 Downing Street this morning (Friday).

He said that the country required ‘fresh leadership’ after the Leave campaign secured 52 per cent of the vote across the UK in yesterday’s EU referendum.

Despite backing the Remain campaign, the Home Secretary has now been installed as the bookmakers’ second favourite with odds of 3-1 to replace Mr Cameron when he steps down.

Royal Borough leader Cllr Simon Dudley (Con, Riverside) said: “Theresa is a fantastic local MP.

“She’s been a marvellous Home Secretary but there is a deep bench of quality people who could become the next Prime Minister.

“Within that deep bench she’s certainly one of the small number of members with the experience and gravitas that would be required to lead the country.”

Former London mayor Boris Johnson is currently odds-on to succeed Mr Cameron and Cllr Dudley described the Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP as a ‘force of nature’.

A new leader is expected to be installed by the Conservative party conference in October.

Cllr Dudley also paid tribute to the hard work of EU referendum counters and the borough’s democratic services team who worked through the night at the Magnet Leisure Centre.

Turnout for the borough was 79.7% with 81,865 votes cast. Of those, 44,086 were for remain (53.9%) compared to 37,706 (46.1%) who backed a Brexit.