On 13 July 2016, following David Cameron’s departure from Number 10 and Andrea Leadsom’s decision to stand down form the Conservative Party leadership contest, Theresa May became the new Conservative Party leader and the UK’s second female Prime Minister taking charge of Government at one of the most turbulent times in British political and economic history.
In her acceptance speech she confirmed a bold statement of intent talking of social justice and promising to make the UK a “country that works for everyone” not just a privileged few. May also spoke very passionately about her Unionist values and of the importance of the Union not just between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but of all citizen’s throughout the UK. She promised that as the UK leaves the EU she would seek to forge a “bold new positive role for the UK throughout the World”.
Mrs May moved immediately to radically reshape the Cabinet with leading Brexiteers appointed to key Cabinet positions including Boris Johnson as Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office; David Davies as Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union; and Liam Fox as Secretary of State for International Trade. May also announced Philip Hammond’s appointment as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Hammond replaces George Osborne who left the Government on the same day as the Prime Minister.
Notable appointments in a completely reshaped Cabinet include: Amber Rudd, Home Secretary; Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities; Elizabeth Truss, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice; Damian Green, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government; Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport; Karen Bradley, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Jeremy Hunt retains responsibility for Health and Michael Fallon for Defence. Those leaving the Government include: Michael Gove; Nicky Morgan; John Whittingdale; and Oliver Letwin.
Her reputation as a strong leader and tough but calm negotiator will be severely tested as she faces the challenge of steering the UK through the “Article 50” process to agree the terms of departure from the EU; and to forge new trading relationships with the rest of the World on the global stage.
Her “unchallenged coronation” will undoubtedly lead to calls for an early General Election that could give her a new mandate ahead of the commencement of the EU Brexit negotiation process (expected to commence next year). However, Mrs May has indicated that this is unlikely at this stage commenting that the UK needs a period of stability ahead of the Brexit negotiations. She could however be tempted to go early and seek a fresh mandate should Jeremy Corbyn survive the current Labour Leadership contest with Angela Eagle and Owen Smith.
Mrs May will need to perform a very difficult “balancing act” to ensure that she retains the support of Brexiteers and Remain supporters not just in the Cabinet but throughout the wider Conservative Party. She will also be mindful of the current slender working majority of 18 votes that she has inherited from David Cameron that separate success from defeat; and will need to ensure that she keeps the 84 MPs who supported Andrea Leadsom onside in order to prevent damaging Parliamentary defeats in her first 100 days.
Mrs May believes in social justice and mobility and critiques the economy for helping the few not the many, echoing Ed Miliband at the 2015 General Election. Under a Theresa May Premiership we are likely to see a reshaped Government with a new focus on global trade; responsible capitalism; social justice; new proposals on executive pay; and measures to tackle predatory takeovers. She is also expected to develop a refocused industrial strategy and to continue the devolution policy agenda with proposals to develop all the great cities in the UK. Indeed, May has made it clear that she will prioritise a new “One Nation” centrist manifesto targeting policies to help those who feel that they have “lost control over their day to day lives”.
Our full briefing paper is available to download here, providing background information on the new Prime Minister, her advisers, and key Cabinet appointments; and provides analysis and commentary on the expected policy direction of the new Theresa May Premiership.