Theresa May to become British PM

LONDON (AA) - Theresa May will become Britain’s next prime minister within 48 hours after David Cameron confirmed he will step down Wednesday.

Cameron said on Monday that junior Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom had made “absolutely the right decision” to quit the governing Conservative Party’s leadership contest, leaving May as the only candidate.

“I’m also delighted that Theresa May will be the next prime minister,” he said in brief remarks to reporters outside his official residence in Downing Street.

“She is strong, she is competent, she is more than able to provide the leadership our country is going to need in the years ahead and she will have my full support,” he added.

Cameron, who announced after losing last month’s EU membership referendum that he intended to step down as prime minister, had planned to remain in office until the Conservative leadership contest concluded on Sept. 9.

But he said Leadsom’s withdrawal meant a prolonged transition was no longer necessary and that he will offer his resignation to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II after a final appearance in parliament Wednesday afternoon.