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London: UK Prime Minister Theresa May will face a vote of no confidence from MPs of the ruling Conservative Party on Wednesday.

The vote will take place between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., reports the BBC. The challenge to May's position comes after the required 48 letters calling for a contest were delivered.

May, who became Prime Minister shortly after the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016, has faced criticism in her party for the Brexit plan she has negotiated. May will address the media at 8.30 p.m.

It is not yet known how quickly the result of the secret ballot will be announced, but May needs to get a majority in her favour to win it. If that happens she cannot be challenged for at least another year.

If May does not win the vote there would then be a Conservative leadership contest in which she could not stand. There is also an option that even if May won - but not overwhelmingly - she may decide to stand down as party leader.

The Conservative Party is the largest in the House of Commons, whoever is leader of the party would be expected to be Prime Minister.

If May is ousted as Conservative leader she would be expected to stay on as a caretaker Prime Minister until a new leader is selected by the party, a process that could take six weeks.

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