Boris Johnson confirms he wants to be next prime minister

Boris Johnson, the prominent United Kingdom politician, has said he would like to be leader of the ruling Conservative Party and of the nation when Prime Minister Theresa May steps down.

Johnson, who has been widely viewed as a potential future leader for many years, made the declaration during a business event in Manchester on Thursday.

"Of course I'm going to go for it, I don't think that is any particular secret to anybody," the BBC quoted the former foreign secretary as saying.

May has already said she plans to resign as party leader and prime minister after she has gained support from the House of Commons for her Brexit withdrawal deal, which sets out the UK's future relationship with the EU after the nation leaves the bloc.

Johnson, who was London's high-profile mayor before he entered Parliament added that there is currently "no vacancy" in Downing Street.

International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and Esther McVey, the former work and pensions secretary, have also said they plan to run in the election to select May's successor.

May met with senior Conservative Party MPs on Thursday who urged her to set a firm date for her departure but, as of Thursday afternoon, no date had been agreed.

Johnson is a prominent supporter of the UK leaving the EU and said of May's leadership around the issue that "there's been a real lack of grip and dynamism in the way we approached these talks (with the EU)."