Theresa May has stepped down as Conservative leader marking the end of a tumultuous period as Prime Minister in which Brexit has dominated the political landscape.

She came to power nearly three years ago with an explicit commitment that she would steer the UK out of the EU.

But her efforts have been thwarted and she lost the support of many MPs unhappy with the terms of the Brexit deal, eventually announcing she would stand aside.

Political editor Paul Francis contrasts what Kent MPs said back in 2016 and how their mood shifted in 2019.

Adam Holloway, Gravesham MP

Then: “Theresa May will execute the will of the people of Gravesham out of the EU and allow us to prosper.”

Now: “You cannot have someone leading a mission who does not believe in the mission. The country needs leadership."

Tom Tugendhat, Tonbridge and Malling MP

Then: "I am confident that she is the best candidate to guide our nation on the path we decided to take at the referendum. She is committed to delivering a strong, independent Britain with excellent links to our European friends and the rest of the world. She will provide the leadership our nation needs and, I am sure, reassure those who invest in our economy that the UK is very much open for business."

Now: "Mrs May has made valiant efforts to deliver Brexit. She will be remembered as someone who faced the greatest political challenge this country has encountered since the Second World War. But she has failed."

Charlie Elphicke, Dover and Deal MP

Then: "She has been a great friend to Dover for many years and she is the person who can deliver stability, security and a great future for our nation as we leave the EU and begin to write the next chapter of our island story.”

Now: “I think we need to have a change of leadership, and a new face and a new team to take us forward to the future relationship.”

Damian Collins, Folkestone and Hythe MP

Then: “She is a serious figure with the experience to lead and unite our country.”

Now: “Our next prime minister must be someone with the drive, personality and intelligence to solve the greatest political crisis Britain has faced in decades, one that has seen the Brexit deadlock shake our public institutions to their foundations."

Damian Green, Ashford MP

Tweeting in July 2016: "Theresa May demonstrated again today that she is significantly best placed to unite party and country."

Now: "The biggest tragedy is she never had the time or place to implement her domestic agenda and tackle the burning injustices she wanted to address.”

Gareth Johnson, Dartford MP

Then: “I think she will be a very competent safe pair of hands for the country. I’m confident Theresa May is capable of giving the country the leadership it needs at the moment.”

Now: "It is the case she tried her best but if you say a hundred times that you are going to leave by March 29 with or without a deal and that doesn't happen there is a consequence that comes with that and we saw that happen today."

And just for fun...

Nigel Farage

Tweeting in February 2016: "Theresa May now says we should stay in EU. Given her conference speech she now sounds like the most hypocritical Home Secretary in history.

Now: “It is difficult not to feel for Mrs May, but politically she misjudged the mood of the country and her party. Two Tory leaders have now gone whose instincts were pro-EU. Either the party learns that lesson or it dies.”

Boris Johnson is the county's favourite to become the new Prime Minister.

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