BOOKMAKERS have placed Penrith MP Rory Stewart as the joint-fifth favourite to be Prime Minister after Theresa May tearfully confirmed her date for departure.

She fired the starting gun in the Conservative Party leadership contest yesterday when she gave an emotional address to the nation outside Number 10.

Mrs May she announced she will be resigning her premiership on June 7, which left Conservative MPs vying for a chance at the top job.

Bookies have placed Boris Johnson as the favourite for the position, followed by Dominic Raab, Michael Gove, Andrea Leadsom, Jeremy Hunt and Mr Stewart.

Mrs May said: “Ever since I first stepped through the door behind me as Prime Minister, I was driven to make the United Kingdom a country that works not just for a privileged few but for everyone, and to honour the result of the EU referendum.

“Back in 2016, we gave the people the British people a choice. Against all predictions, the British people voted to leave the European Union.

“I feel as certain today as I did three years ago that in a democracy, if you give people a choice you have a duty to implement what they decide. I have done my best to do that.”

MP for Penrith and the Border, Rory Stewart has already revealed he will stand in the contest, but following the announcement he took to Twitter to pay tribute to Mrs May, whose stance over Brexit he has supported prominently.

The International Development Secretary posted: “The Prime Minister has been an immensely dignified public servant - it has been a great honour to work with her and for her - we owe Theresa May a great debt of gratitude.”

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said: “It is an incredibly tough job, but it is an important one. We are a very divided country. Somebody has to unite the country.”

Mr Stevenson paid tribute to the outgoing Conservative leader, adding: “She has been very dignified in her approach and in her resignation.

“She has done her best in difficult circumstances to implement the wishes of the British people following the referendum to leave the European Union.”

He also praised Mr Stewart, saying: “Rory is an incredibly able individual with an awful lot of wonderful talent. Recently added to the cabinet, which was the right thing to happen.

“It will be interesting to see his vision for the future, for our country and for our party. Until then I am going to reserve judgement.”

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said: “This has been expected for weeks. I pay tribute to Theresa May for her resilience, strength and dedication. I know she has always had the national interest at heart and I’ve already began engaging with prospective leaders of our party.

“I will be looking for a Prime Minister who recognises the north of England’s qualities: nuclear, tourism and the farming industries and recognises the importance in health and education and who will prioritise spending on road, rail and infrastructure, especially in Copeland.”

Scottish Secretary and MP for Dumfriesshire, David Mundell said: “Nobody could have worked harder, or shown a greater sense of public duty, in delivering the result of the EU referendum than Theresa May.

“As Mrs May herself acknowledges, she has, however unfairly, become an impediment to the resolution of Brexit, and was no longer being given a hearing by Parliament. Delivering Brexit is now more urgent than ever, and that will fall to a new Prime Minister. It’s time to get on with the process of appointing one.”

Helen Grant, Conservative vice-chairman for communities who grew up in Raffles, Carlisle, resigned prior to Mrs May’s announcement yesterday morning.