According to Theresa May, the UK should not invoke the Article 50 of Lisbon Treaty (which determines the way the country leaves the EU) before the end of the year.
"I don't think it's possible to say there's an absolute deadline, because what's important is that we do this in the right timescale and that we do it to get the right deal for the UK. So I've said that we shouldn't invoke Article 50 immediately. I've said it shouldn't be before the end of the year," May said.
Her rival Andrea Leadsom, on the contrary, insists that the UK should trigger Article 50 as soon as possible. She says this will send a clear message of certainty for business.
"What I do believe is that we need to get on with it. We need to seize the opportunity, it's not just about leaving the EU but it's about giving certainty to businesses, it's about saying to the world 'we're open for business, let's get some free trade agreements started as soon as we can," Leadsom said.
The Brexit process is likely to become the key point in PM race, as some, such as Ms Leadsom herself, as well as Justice Minister Michael Gove, believe the next leader should be the Leave supporter (which is not without logic, since the country voted for Leave), while the critics, including Ms May, say the country needs not just the "Brexit leader", but a leader who will rule the country effectively in every aspect.
Remarkably, the instant invoking of Article 50 is advocated by both a number of Conservative MPs inside British Parliament and by leaders of EU countries who suffer from extended period of uncertainty. The fear of oncoming destabilization has made the EU leaders to put pressure on Britain to invoke Article 50 as soon as possible.
