POLITICIANS in Cumbria have reacted to Theresa May's announcement that she will resign as Prime Minister next month.

Theresa 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.

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said: "This has been expected for weeks. I pay tribute to Theresa May for her resilience, strength and dedication.

"I know she has always had the national interest at heart and I've already began engaging with prospective leaders of our party.

"I will be looking for a Prime Minister who recognises the North of England's qualities: nuclear, tourism and the farming industries and recognises the importance in health and education and who will prioritise spending on road, rail and infrastructure, especially in Copeland."

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron criticised the Conservatives for their "disgraceful" treatment of Theresa May.

He said: “Theresa May has always frustrated me, and I’ve always liked her - right from when I first met her in the early 90s. She made bad calls on Brexit as she played to her party’s unreasonable right.

“Her party treated her disgracefully - shame on them.”

Meanwhile Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: “Theresa May has been a committed and honourable public servant with an unenviable task. She was home secretary and then prime minister of a government that has increased hardship and made life far too tough for ordinary folk in Furness but I was pleased to work with the PM on areas we agreed.

“In particular, I am grateful to her for bringing the historic Trident renewal vote to the commons so soon after she took over as PM in June 2016."