HELENSBURGH and Lomond politicians have given their reaction today following Prime Minister Theresa May’s announcement that she is stepping down from her role.

Mrs May’s turbulent leadership of the Conservative Party will end on June 7, paving the way for a new Prime Minister to lead the Brexit process.

A tearful Prime Minister said she had “done my best” to get her Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament and take the UK out of the European Union but acknowledged she had failed.

“It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit,” she said in Downing Street.

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Watched by husband Philip and her closest aides, an emotional Mrs May said it was in the “best interests of the country for a new prime minister to lead that effort”.

Conservative west of Scotland MSP Maurice Corry said: “Theresa May took on the job of Prime Minister at one of the most difficult times in our history. It was always going to be a difficult and thankless task.

“She has however shown real strength and determination to deliver on the 2016 EU referendum, unfortunately being blocked by other members of parliament.

“I believe she always put the country’s best interests first and compromise was always needed, but sadly hasn’t been forthcoming.

“I wish her all the best for the future and thank her for her many years in public office.”

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Concluding her resignation statement, Mrs May broke down as she said it had been “the honour of my life” to serve “the country that I love”.

However, Argyll and Bute SNP MP Brendan O’Hara said: “Theresa May's departure does not resolve the Brexit crisis, or reduce the damage to Scotland from the disastrous policies of this right-wing Tory government.

“The only democratic way forward is to put the issue back to the people.

“The prospect of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister in hock to the right wing of his party and the politics of Nigel Farage will be utterly horrifying to people across Scotland, and raises the threat we face as the Tories lurch even further to the extremes - putting jobs, living standards, public services, and the economy at risk.

“Scotland has been completely ignored throughout the Brexit process, and any pretence that we will be treated as an equal partner in the UK has long gone.

“It is now clearer than ever that the only way to properly protect Scotland's interests is by becoming an independent country.”

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Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson, said: "The Prime Minister has always put country before party and by announcing her resignation and setting out a plan for an orderly departure she has shown that commitment again today.

“Theresa May knew when she took on the job of Prime Minister that the challenges facing our country were unprecedented.

“Her time in office has been characterised by the hard work, resilience, quiet dignity and attention to detail for which she is known.

“Above all, by opposing the SNP’s call for an immediate second independence referendum in 2017, the Prime Minister demonstrated her resolute commitment to the Union, and to Scotland’s place in it.

“As Britain’s second female Prime Minister, she has been a role model for girls and women across the United Kingdom, showing that there is no glass ceiling to their ambitions.

“On behalf of everyone in the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party I would like to thank her for her years of service as an MP, party chairman, Secretary of State, and Prime Minister."

Scottish Secretary David Mundell added: “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.”

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