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Theresa May resignation: How the UK's next prime minister will be chosen Boris Johnson: What does the job of prime minister actually involve?
(about 2 months later)
After 1,059 days in charge, Prime Minister Theresa May is stepping down as leader of the ruling Conservative Party. Boris Johnson is the new leader of the Conservative party. He officially becomes prime minister on Wednesday, after Theresa May formally resigns.
She will stay on as prime minister until a replacement is found but that search is well under way. But what will his new job actually involve?
So, why is Mrs May going and what does it mean for the future of the UK? What does the prime minister do?
Why is Theresa May stepping down? The prime minister is the leader of the government and is appointed by the Queen. Normally, he or she is the leader of the party that wins a general election.
During her time as prime minister, Theresa May failed to complete her most important task: delivering Brexit. It's the prime minister's job to appoint members to the government, known as ministers. Only a small number of MPs actually get these roles.
UK voters had backed ending membership of the European Union, by 52% to 48%, in June 2016. The most senior figures are called cabinet ministers and they oversee government departments - such as the Treasury and the Home Office.
Two and a half years later, a plan agreed by the UK and the EU was delivered, setting out how Brexit would happen. The prime minister can, at any time, hire and fire ministers. They can also abolish government departments or create brand new ones.
But some Conservative MPs felt it was a "bad deal" and several of Mrs May's ministers resigned. Alongside the chancellor, the prime minister is also in charge of tax-and-spending policy.
Much of the criticism was aimed at the Irish backstop - intended to prevent border posts between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. And the prime minister can also bring in new laws - so long as they receive the backing of Parliament.
Attempts to get MPs to fall in line were all in vain and the Brexit deal was rejected on three separate occasions. Ultimately, the prime minister is responsible for all government policy and decisions.
The UK's departure date has been delayed to 31 October and, faced with mounting pressure in her ranks, Mrs May announced her departure. What other powers does the prime minister have?
Who wants to be prime minister? The prime minister has overall control of the civil service - the people and departments that carry out the government's decisions.
The race has already started. With 11 contenders, it's a crowded field. They can award honours, such as knighthoods and damehoods. They can also award peerages.
Boris Johnson, a colourful and well known figure in the UK, is the current favourite. He is a former foreign secretary and London mayor. They also have a number of responsibilities relating to defence and security.
But it's by no means a foregone conclusion - early frontrunners have not always gone on to win. For example, they have the power to send the UK's armed forces into action. However, recent convention says Parliament should also approve such a decision.
In fact, Mr Johnson was seen as a favourite in the 2016 contest - before his main backer, Michael Gove, unexpectedly entered the contest. That decision torpedoed Mr Johnson's campaign and Mr Gove stood accused of "backstabbing". A number of special responsibilities also rest on the prime minister's shoulders, such as deciding whether to shoot down a hijacked or unidentified aircraft.
To add to the drama, Mr Gove is standing this time round too. They can also authorise the use of UK nuclear weapons.
Of the 11 contenders, just two are women. How are prime ministers held to account?
Who chooses the next leader? Despite these powers, a prime minister can't just take any decision they like.
The winner needs the backing of both Conservative MPs and ordinary party members. Prime ministers need to retain the confidence of most MPs. That's because laws can only be passed if a majority of MPs vote them through.
To be nominated, candidates need the signatures of eight fellow MPs. They are then whittled down to two in a series of secret votes by Conservative MPs. If a government repeatedly loses votes, MPs could choose to call a "motion of no confidence". If a prime minister loses such a vote, they face the prospect of a general election.
The contest ends in a vote open to those who have paid to be members of the Tory Party. If the prime minister's party loses a general election, they must resign so the leader of the winning party can take over.
It means that about 160,000 people will be choosing the next leader of a country of more than 65 million people. In theory, the Queen has the power to sack a prime minister if it was felt they were acting against the country's interest. That, however, would trigger a constitutional crisis.
Most party members are over 55 and a large majority are from the top social class. Who got to choose the prime minister?
The winner of the contest - and new prime minister - will be announced in the week of 22 July. Boris Johnson needed the backing of both Conservative MPs and ordinary party members.
Will there be a general election? To start with, 10 Tory MPs were nominated as possible prime ministers. But a series of secret votes by Conservative MPs whittled them down to two - Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt.
Both Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt took part in a series of debates, before paid-up members of the Tory Party voted for who they wanted.
That meant about 160,000 people were able to choose the leader of a country of more than 65 million people.
Boris Johnson received 92,153 votes compared to Jeremy Hunt's 46,656.
Most Conservative party members are over 55 and a large majority are from the top social class.
Why wasn't there a general election?
A new prime minister doesn't necessarily mean a general election is inevitable.A new prime minister doesn't necessarily mean a general election is inevitable.
As the Conservatives are already in power, they won't have to hold one. As the Conservatives are already in power, they won't have to hold one - so long as Boris Johnson can command the support of the majority of MPs.
But the new prime minister may feel they need to win public backing for their Brexit plan. If he did decide to call an election, the prime minister would need at least two-thirds of MPs to agree to it.
If they did decide to call an election, the prime minister would also require at least two-thirds of MPs to agree to it.
Where does this leave Brexit?Where does this leave Brexit?
Despite Mrs May's departure, the problem of Brexit is far from resolved. Despite Theresa May's departure, the problem of Brexit is far from resolved.
Coming up with a solution that will define the future relationship of the UK with its European neighbours has been occupying her would-be successors. Coming up with a solution that will define the future relationship of the UK with its European neighbours will keep Boris Johnson very busy.
There are a number of options. Mr Johnson has pledged to renegotiate the existing deal - the one Mrs May failed to pass three times.
The first is passing Mrs May's deal, an idea favoured by one of the candidates, Rory Stewart. But this could be a quite a challenge given that it has been rejected three times. But there's also no guarantee that a revised deal can be agreed before the Brexit deadline.
The second option is to renegotiate the existing deal. This is what most of the leadership hopefuls want - but the EU has previously said the existing deal can't be changed. However, Mr Johnson is adamant the UK will leave on 31 October "deal or no deal".
There's also no guarantee that a revised deal can be agreed before the Brexit deadline. Boris Johnson, for example, has said the UK will leave on 31 October "deal or no deal". What are the perks?
The third option is to leave without a deal, immediately cutting ties with the EU. But this could be problematic, as MPs have previously rejected it as an option. The prime minister is expected to live and work in 10 Downing Street - the office of the prime minister since 1735.
Lastly, they could choose to call another Brexit referendum. However, MPs haven't previously backed the idea of another public vote. However, there are some exceptions. Tony Blair, who had a young family, chose to reside in Number 11 in 1997 - as it had a larger living area.
In short, whoever takes over from Theresa May will find that life is far from straightforward. In addition, the prime minister has an official country residence, Chequers, which is free to be used at any time.
Boris Johnson will be driven in an official prime ministerial car. Currently, it's a custom-built Jaguar XJ Sentinel.
As for salary, the prime minister is currently paid £150,402 a year.