Theresa May next British PM? Forge a new Britain, come what May

In Hindustan Times,  Jul 12, 2016

British Home Secretary Theresa May became the sole contender to become  Britain's next prime minister after her sole rival pulled out in a dramatic twist as turmoil sweeps the political scene in the wake of the Brexit vote. (AP)

(Note: Was Brexit the  end of many bad things learned in international cooperation that resulted in European Union or the beginning of many new lessons to be learned by the dramatis personae in this drama still in the process of unfolding? It looks there is more disappointment than sense of achievement on the part of all who contested for and against Brexit? Many are ruing over the unexpected divorce and parting of ways. Some big political churning is taking place in world’s most industrialized nations, US and UK. Revolutions and turmoils in both countries are led by women, Clinton in US and Theresa May in Britton. We wish they work as harbingers of peace and harmony in a world which is being torn apart by destructive forces like ISIS.   james kottoor, editor)

If the days after the June 23 Brexit vote reaffirmed Harold Wilson’s dictum that a week is a long time in politics, a fortnight can be more eventful. What started as a way to assuage Euroscpetic feelings in the Conservative party has led to the most politically turbulent phase in British politics in contemporary memory: a prime minister resigns; aspirations of two high profile Tories — Boris Johnson and Michael Gove — lie in tatters; the Labour leader faces a leadership contest less than a year in the post; the markets are on a rollercoaster; a Remainer is chosen as the prime minister to lead Brexit; no one quite knows how the future will pan out; and the once Great Britain is diminished in the eyes of many as ‘Little England’.

Who exactly is Theresa May, soon to be the second British woman prime minister who may have an equally historic influence as the first, Margaret Thatcher? May visited India only once in 2012, but has already had much impact on the country and its citizens.

The tall, lanky and seemingly shy MP from Maidenhead is known as a tough, no-nonsense home secretary who does not do small talk – former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg dealt with her often but always came away reinforcing his vision of her as an “ice maiden”.

Oxford-educated May, 59, has had the longest tenure in a century, of over six years, in the Home Office, which is seen as the graveyard of many political careers. And no home secretary has had more impact on sensitive issues such as immigration and terrorism than May.                                                                                                                 As prime minister, May is expected to continue Cameron’s focus on India, particularly given that the Brexit camp privileged trade ties with India, China and the Commonwealth after leaving the European Union. May often quietly attends Indian festivals in Maidenhead.

The saga of intrigues, opportunism and worse associated with the EU referendum can be expected to be soon reflected in popular culture, but behind the play in newspaper headlines on Theresa May taking over as the next prime minister — ‘Monday Mayhem’, ‘May Day’, ‘Maggie May’ – the task before her is daunting, to say the least. The second woman prime minister in British history may be set for an equally historic tenure as the first: Margaret Thatcher.

The candidates in the Conservative party leadership contest, (L-R) Theresa May, Andrea Leadsom and Michael Gove, are seen in this combination of three photographs, released in London. (Reuters)

Interior minister Theresa May is set to become Britain’s Prime Minister on Wednesday with the task of steering its withdrawal from the European Union after her only rival abruptly pulled out.

At stake is not only redefining Britain’s vision of itself outside the European Union and on the international stage, but also making the best out of a bad bargain by reconciling the many contradictions in negotiations to extricate Britain out of the EU. May does not want to trigger until the end of the year Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which sets out the two-year exit process. But European leaders have already signalled their impatience and want to get it over with and move on as soon as Brexit is the biggest item in May’s in-tray and every move will be closely followed by the millions who voted for it, as well as those who did not, particularly on immigration. At the heart of Brexit negotiations is the ambition to get the same trade access and facilities as a member of the EU but without agreeing to the ‘freedom of movement’ of EU citizens. The implications for London’s reputation as the capital of finance and business are enormous, with Paris and Frankfurt already beckoning banks and businesses to relocate.

The task before May is not only to lead Britain out of the EU, but also unite the divided Conservative party and the dis-United Kingdom – demand is growing to hold another independence referendum in the pro-EU Scotland. Given her formidable reputation as a no-nonsense Home secretary and as one who coined the words ‘nasty party’ in 2002 while seeking to refashion her Conservative party, May appears to be the best person to deal with the situation. In other words, May is set for the test of a lifetime that she cannot afford to fail, come what may.