Theresa May resigns: Will there be a general election? When will we have a new Prime Minister?

As Theresa May prepares to leave the “job she loves”, her Conservative Party is drawing up the timetable to find a new British Prime Minister.

Here's how the weeks ahead will look for the Tory candidates and Mrs May as her leadership draws to a close on June 7.

When will Theresa May leave office?

Mrs May said the process of choosing a new leader would begin the week after she stepped down as Conservative leader on June 7.

She has informed the Queen that she will continue to serve as Prime Minister until that process is complete.

This means she will be involved in Donald Trump’s state visit, beginning on June 3, and will oversee the Peterborough by-election on June 6, in her role as lame duck premier.

Will there be a general election?

No formal plans have been made to hold a general election, but opposition leaders have already begun clamouring for one.

Minutes after Mrs May announced she would be stepping down, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "Whoever becomes the new Tory leader must let the people decide our country’s future, through an immediate General Election."

Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon posted on Twitter: "Her departure will not solve the Brexit mess that the Tories have created. Only putting the matter back to the people can do that. Given current circumstances, it also feels deeply wrong for another Tory to be installed in Number 10 without a General Election."

How long will it take to find a new leader?

A new leader is likely to be chosen in time for the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, beginning on September 29. However, the timeframe for leadership contests can vary.

Since the deadline for Mrs May’s agreed withdrawal deal with the EU is set for October 31, the party may decide to hold a short race to give the new leader time to find a fresh agreement.

When David Cameron resigned following the referendum result in June 2016, the contest was originally expected to end in early September. But Mrs May soon became the last candidate standing and was sworn in as Prime Minister on July 13.

How will the leadership contest work?

Candidates must be nominated by two Conservative MPs. If only one candidate comes forward, he or she will automatically become leader. However, this scenario is highly unlikely given the number of leadership hopefuls already jostling for position.

If, as expected, there a number of candidates, the list will be put to a series of votes by Conservative MPs, who will then whittle it down to a shortlist of two.

All party members will then vote on the two finalists via a postal ballot. Whoever wins will become leader and, in this case, Prime Minister

Who will oversee the contest?

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, will be responsible for overseeing the leadership race and setting a timetable for the campaign.

This is expected to last around 12 weeks – although could be shortened in order to move ahead with Brexit as quickly as possible.