LONDON: With British Prime Minister Theresa May stepping down next month, four candidates have confirmed their intention to contest the election for the party leadership.

According to BBC, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and  Former Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey  are in a fray for the party leader of Conservative Party.

The contest will not only result in a new party leader, but also in the next prime minister of the UK.

May confirmed on Friday that she will resign as party leader on 7 June, but will continue as PM while the leadership contest takes place.

She agreed with chairman of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, that the process to choose a new leader should begin the week after she stands down.