Conservative MPs say Boris Johnson faces two main tasks if he becomes party leader - delivering Brexit and moving on to a domestic agenda including support for businesses and public services.
Tories will announce the result of their leadership contest around 11am on Tuesday July 23. Mr Johnson is expected to be declared the winner although supporters of rival candidate Jeremy Hunt have not given up hope that their man could pull off an upset victory.
Mr Johnson has promised to deliver Brexit by October 31, and to take the UK out of the EU with no deal if that’s the only way to avoid further delays.
A few Conservative MPs, such as backbencher Dominic Grieve, have suggested they would rather bring down the Government by voting against it in a confidence motion than allow a no-deal Brexit to go ahead.
However many others, including some who backed remain in the 2016 EU referendum and supported other candidates in the leadership contest, say that it is in the best interests of the UK to get on with leaving rather than asking the EU to grant further delays.
And many Tories warn that the Government, whether led by Mr Johnson or Mr Hunt, will be unable to move on to its domestic agenda before dealing with Brexit.
Mr Johnson set out a series of proposals during the leadership contest, including increasing funding for police and schools.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Conservative MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, was among those backing Mr Johnson from the start.
She said: “I hope Boris’ campaign is successful and Prime Minister Johnson will hit the ground running to bring the optimistic message of Brexit to the nation and to the EU so we can deliver it by October 31, and then continue to work on a reforming Conservative agenda to help growth and our country to thrive.”
While the result of the contest is announced on Tuesday, the winner will not become Prime Minister until Wednesday.
Theresa May will take part in her final House of Commons question and answer session as Prime Minister on Wednesday, beginning around noon.
She’ll have lunch in Number 10 and deliver a farewell message to the nation in Downing Street at around 2.20pm.
Then she will go to Buckingham Palace to resign officially. The new Conservative leader will then visit the Palace, where the Queen will ask them to form a government.
The next Prime Minister will then arrive in Downing Street to begin their new role.
If Mr Johnson does win the top job the he is expected to deliver a major speech on either Thursday or Friday setting out his plans. It’s been reported that the speech will take place in the North.
Guy Opperman, Conservative MP for Hexham, paid tribute to Theresa May.
He said: “Whoever wins the leadership election and becomes our new Prime Minister will have my full support. Clearly the focus will shift to the new team in Number 10 but I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Theresa May and acknowledge her outstanding public service as Prime Minister in very difficult circumstances.
“It remains my strong belief that we must deliver on the referendum result.”
In a sign that the leadership contest may not end divisions within the Conservative Party, Tory MP Sir Alan Duncan announced he was resigning as a Government Minister. It appears he was quitting before Mr Johnson had the chance to sack him.
