THERESA MAY is set to become the new prime minster of the United Kingdom after rival Andrea Leadsom pulled out of the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party.
The race took a huge twist earlier today after Mrs Leadsom withdrew from the contest because she felt she could not gain sufficient support of her fellow peers needed to surge past the Home Secretary and take control.
Comments made in an interview published at the weekend, where she hinted being a mother made her a better candidate for the job, did not help her cause either.
Mrs May, whose Maidenhead constituency serves Twyford, Sonning, Hurst, Wargrave and Ruscombe, is now on course to replace David Cameron as leader and in No.10 after it was confirmed Mrs May is the only remaining candidate for the role.
South Northamptonshire MP Leadsom had faced ever-growing calls to quit her bid to become PM after controversial comments she made about her Westminster colleague were run by The Times newspaper on Saturday.
“I wish Theresa May the very greatest success. I assure her of my full support” @andrealeadsom ending leadership bid https://t.co/l3e153NsRI
— BBC Daily Politics and Sunday Politics (@daily_politics) July 11, 2016
In an interview with the tabloid, Mrs Leadsom suggested she would be a better leader and Prime Minister because she has three children, whereas Mrs May and her husband have not been able to have kids of their own.
Being a mother was an advantage in the election because it showed she had a “very real stake” in the future of the country, she said.
Leadsom had claimed the comments were taken out of context and has since apologised to her rival, which Mrs May is understood to have accepted, although the wave of objection and opposition to her remarks, along with the other reasons stated, forced her to give up her bid to try and replace Mr Cameron, who is to resign from his position following the country’s decision to leave the European Union.
But in a statement made this lunchtime, she explained how she does not have “sufficient support to lead a strong and stable government” if she were to win the contest, adding how it is now in the interest of the country to have an “immediate appointment of a strong Prime Minister”.
Mrs May had held a significant lead over her opponent in the battle to become party leader and PM, with 199 of her peers giving her the nod during the second round of voting last week.
Mr Cameron had been expected to leave in the Autumn, but because of these latest developments the change in power could now take place in just days.
What we know:
– In a statement delivered this lunchtime, Leadsom said she does not have “sufficient support to lead a strong and stable government” if she were to win the leadership contest, adding it is now in the interest of the country to have “an immediate appointment” of a strong PM.
– The MP also said Theresa May is “ideally placed” to succeed David Cameron and has given her rivals “my full support”, also wishing the Maidenhead MP “the very greatest success”.
– Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Commiitee, is due to speak at 12.30pm to clarify the Tory leadership situation.
– Wokingham MP John Redwood, who had backed Leadsom, has had his say on the matter, telling the BBC’s Daily Politics Show how he is disappointed by the decision, but credits her “decent and honourable” characteristics.
Mr Redwood explained Mrs Leadsom had become concerned about the abuse she had received in recent days, and although confident of winning the backing of Tory activists, would not have the full confidence of all MPs.
– Mrs May now all but CONFIRMED as the new Tory party leader after Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, declared she is the only candidate left in the running. He does, however, need to consult with others before her appointment is formally announced.
He would, though, not be drawn on how soon she could become PM, saying: “We’re not discussing coronations, we’re discussing a proper procedural process.”
“There will be conversations during the course of the afternoon.”
– Conservative colleague Michael Gove, who was eliminated from the process last week, has now given his public backing to the Home Secretary, saying she has his full support.
– How soon could Mrs May become PM? Well, no exact date has been given, but David Cameron would have to visit Buckingham Palace and speak with the Queen before any replacement can be sworn in – as well as how soon does he want to uproot his family out of No.10, but early indications suggest this could well happen “within days”, according to the BBC.
– Not everyone is happy with the latest development, however, with Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron describing the situation as a “stitch up” and has called for an election.
“The Conservatives must not be allowed to ignore the electorate, their mandate is shattered and lies in ruins,” he said in a statement.
“Britain deserves better than this Tory stitch up.
“(Theresa) May has not set out an agenda, and has no right to govern. She has not won an election and the public must have their say.
“From her time as Home Secretary we know she is divisive, illiberal and calculating.”
