Theresa May will replace David Cameron as Britain’s prime minister on Wednesday. What do we know of the woman who’s heading for 10 Downing Street?
May, 59, will be the UK’s second woman prime minister after Margaret Thatcher. She is one of the longest-running home secretaries in British history and has earned a reputation as one of Whitehall’s toughest operators.
RT has examined her voting record and policies, from human rights and mass surveillance, to immigration and nuclear deterrents, to get a picture of what Britain can expect from the new PM.
Brexit negotiations
In her pitch to Conservative members on Monday, May, who maintained a low profile during the EU referendum campaign but was a “reluctant Remain” supporter, ruled out a second EU vote.
“I couldn’t be clearer. Brexit means Brexit. And we’re going to make a success of it,” she said.
“There will be no attempt to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it by the back door, and no second referendum.
“The country voted to leave the EU, and as prime minister I will make sure that we leave the EU.”
She has said she fully intends to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty - the formal process by which Britain would leave the EU - by the end of the year.
May says it is a “priority” to allow British companies to trade with the single market, but will seek action on free movement.
But ‘Leave’ supporters are concerned May will not follow through a Brexit, saying she may not trigger Article 50 until it is too late, or push for a model similar to Norway’s allowing free movement in exchange for access to the single market.
Immigration
May is notorious for her tough stance on immigration. Her work in Westminster has largely consisted of tightening immigration controls and refusing to welcome larger numbers of refugees into Britain.
She has fought, but failed, to cut immigration since 2010.
