Prime Minister Theresa May has announced she will resign as Prime Minister on June 7, firing the starting gun in a Conservative Party leadership contest.

This morning in an address at 10 Downing Street she confirmed she will leave her position, paving the way for a new leader to continue Brexit negotiations with the European Union.

Speaking to the nation she 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."

Carlisle's MP John Stevenson has officially ruled himself out of the running for the top job.

He commented: "I will not be putting my hat in the ring for the post. 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 Conservative leader. He said: "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."

MP for Penrith and the Border, Rory Stewart took to Twitter to pay his tributes to the outgoing Prime Minister.

He 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."

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, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, David Mundell said: "I am very sorry it has come to this. Nobody could have worked harder, or shown a greater sense of public duty, in delivering the result of the EU referendum than Theresa May. She has my utmost respect for those endeavours, in the most challenging of circumstances, as well as her unswerving commitment to the Union.

"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. Yesterday’s elections will surely show that 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."