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Theresa May Set To Be Sworn In As The Next Prime Minister Of Britain

By Rahul Srinivas
Published on: 02:25 PST, Jul 11, 2016

Theresa May, who served as the Home Secretary of Britain from 2010, is all set to be sworn in as the next prime minister of the United Kingdom. According to BBC News, Theresa May’s only opponent, Andrea Leadsom, announced on Monday that she was pulling out of the race. Theresa May is 59-years-old and has served as the home secretary of Britain since 2010.

Ms. May’s succession to the post was confirmed after Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee of Conservative lawmakers, confirmed that there would be “no need to rerun the election.” He also added that with her only opponent pulling out of the race, Ms. May would go on to lead the Conservative Party and, for the same reason, would succeed David Cameron as the next prime minister of the country. However, Mr. Brady did go on to say that a final decision on Ms. May’s prime ministership would only be taken after senior party officials are consulted.

While the reason for Ms. Leadsom’s abrupt exit is not known at this time, she did face widespread criticism over an interview with the Times of London on Saturday, where she was quoted saying that being a mother, she was more qualified to run the country than Ms. May. In the interview, Ms. Leadsom indirectly talked about the fact that Ms. May and her husband did not have any children. She went on to add that since she had children of her own, she had a “very real stake” in the future of Britain,” unlike Theresa May, who “possibly has nieces and nephews.”

Leadsom, 53, held the rank of the energy minister in former Prime Minister David Cameron’s cabinet. While announcing her decision to not contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party, Ms. Leadsom also announced her support for Ms. May’s candidature for the leadership position, and also for the Prime Ministership.

“The interests of our country are best served by the immediate appointment of a strong and well-supported prime minister,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms. May who was earlier in favor of Britain staying in the European Union has now changed her stand and said that she respects the mandate of the people.

“Brexit means Brexit and we’re going to make a success of it,” she said in a speech.

The incumbent prime minister of the country, David Cameron announced his resignation soon after the historic Brexit vote in which British citizens made it clear that they would be exiting the European Union. He is, however, expected to continue holding the position until a new leader is selected by his party. Currently, it is not known when the new prime minister would be sworn in, However, there are indications that this could happen within a few days.

British Home Secretary Theresa May leaves after a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in London [Photo by Matt Dunham/AP Images]

Theresa May was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, on October 1, 1956. After attending the St. Hugh’s College, Oxford from 1977 to 1983, she was employed at the Bank of England. Her first foray into politics was in the 80s when she was served as a councillor for the London Borough of Merton’s Durnsford Ward. She was elected to the MP for Maidenhead in the 1997 general election, following which she was appointed Chairman of the Conservative Party in 2002. Theresa May also happens to be the longest-serving home secretary for the last 60 years.

When she takes over as the prime minister, Theresa May would become only the second woman after Margaret Thatcher to hold the position.

[Photo by Matt Dunham/AP Images]

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