UK Race for PM Focused on Brexit       05/25 10:58

   LONDON (AP) -- The race to succeed British Prime Minister Theresa May is 
heating up, the field of Conservative contenders is quickly growing and the 
focus is squarely on how to handle Brexit.

   Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Saturday he is seeking to replace May, 
joining several others who have announced they will run to become the 
Conservative party's next leader, and by default, Britain's new prime minister.

   May announced Friday she plans to step down as Conservative Party leader on 
June 7 and remain as a caretaker prime minister while the party chooses a new 
leader in a contest that officially kicks off the following week.

   She plans to remain as party leader through U.S. President Donald Trump's 
upcoming state visit and the 75th D-Day anniversary celebrations on June 6.

   Her successor will have to try to complete Brexit --- a task that May failed 
to deliver during her three years in office. While she succeeded in striking a 
divorce deal with the European Union, the plan was defeated three times in 
Parliament by British lawmakers from across the political spectrum.

   The EU extended Britain's departure date to Oct. 31 but there still is no 
consensus among British lawmakers about how or even if the country should leave 
the bloc.

   Even before a new leader is chosen, the Conservative Party is expected to 
fare poorly when the results of the European Parliament election in Britain are 
announced Sunday night.

   The best-known contestant for the Conservative leadership post is former 
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who has said he will take Britain out of the 
EU on Oct. 31 even if no deal has been reached with EU leaders.

   Johnson's willingness to back a no-deal Brexit is already causing some 
ripples.

   Another Conservative contender, International Development Secretary Rory 
Stewart, said Saturday that he could not serve in a Cabinet under Johnson if 
Johnson wins. Stewart says he could not work for a leader who is comfortable 
with the idea of a no-deal Brexit.

   Stewart complained that Johnson said in a private meeting several weeks ago 
that he would not push for a no-deal departure but appears to have changed 
course completely.

   Many economists and business leaders have warned that a no-deal departure 
would have a drastically negative impact on Britain's economy and also hurt its 
European neighbors.

   The field is likely to grow to about a dozen candidates, with a winner 
expected to be chosen by mid or late July. Senior Conservatives including Home 
Secretary Sajid Javid, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and former House of 
Commons leader Andrea Leadsom are among those considering a leadership run.

   The Conservative Party chooses its leaders in a two-step process. First 
there's a series of votes among the party's legislators to establish two top 
contenders, then those names are submitted to a nationwide vote by about 
120,000 party members.

   The winner becomes party leader and prime minister, although the opposition 
Labour Party is warning of an immediate challenge to the new leader with an eye 
toward forcing an early general election.

   John McDonnell, Labour's economic spokesman, told the BBC on Saturday the 
party would push a no-confidence vote against the new prime minister right away.

   "We believe any incoming prime minister in these circumstances should go to 
the country anyway and seek a mandate," McDonnell said.

   An earlier Labour Party attempt to force an early election failed in January 
when May's government survived a no-confidence vote.

   The U.K.'s next general election is set for 2022 unless there is a 
government collapse.


(KA)