Tory Leadership race to find a successor to David Cameron - Theresa May wins first round of voting to choose a new party leader Tuesday July 05,2016

Theresa May Wins First Round Of Contest To Pick UK's Brexit Leader

Theresa May insists she is the only leadership candidate who can unite the Conservative Party and the UK after the historic decision to leave the European Union.

The Home Secretary stormed to a first round victory in the Tory leadership contest, securing 165 votes to leave her rivals trailing.

Tory MPs have cast their first votes in the race to find a successor to David Cameron as Tory leader and Prime Minister. 

The first round results were: 

• Theresa May - 165
• Andrea Leadsom - 66
• Michael Gove - 48
• Stephen Crabb - 34
• Liam Fox - 16

The race to be second on the ballot and the alternative put to Tory members was won by Andrea Leadsom who secured 66 votes.

Michael Gove finished third with 48 votes, followed by Stephen Crabb on 34, who has since dropped out of the race and endorsed Theresa May 

Liam Fox came last and was eliminated after scoring just 16 votes - and has also thrown his support behind the frontrunner

Theresa May scored half of the 329 votes cast - one more than all the other candidates put together. 

Speaking after the result on Tuesday July 05,2016 she said: 'I am pleased with this result and very grateful to my colleagues for their support.'

'There is a big job before us: to unite our party and the country, to negotiate the best possible deal as we leave the EU, and to make Britain work for everyone.' 

'I am the only candidate capable of delivering these three things as prime minister, and tonight it is clear that I am also the only one capable of drawing support from the whole of the Conservative Party.'

Conservative MPs are whittling down the list of five contenders to a shortlist of two before 150,000 party members pick the winner.