The global community was taken aback last Wednesday when Theresa May succeeded David Cameron thus ending months of extraordinary national dramas between proponents and opponents of Brexit. Cameron, whose botched bid to keep Britain in the European Union (EU) during a referendum triggered his resignation, had earlier scheduled his exit for November this year but was compelled to leave on July 13, 2016, in order to facilitate Brexit.
May is the second woman to hold that post after Margaret Thatcher, more than a quarter-century ago just as Brexit has set back European efforts to forge greater unity and created huge uncertainty in Britain and across the 28-nation bloc.
The new helmswoman has since hit the ground running given the enormous challenges confronting her in steering the affairs of Britain, particularly the immediate task of concluding the process of Brexit. A trio of Brexiters has been appointed to handle the UK’s divorce from the EU — among them Boris Johnson, who becomes foreign secretary.
May will face a daunting set of challenges, not least extricating the United Kingdom from the EU. The Financial Times’ Philip Stephens has warned that untangling 40 years of political and economic integration will be a long and costly process and should not be rushed.
Other items on May’s agenda include the economy, social reform and perhaps even Mr. Johnson himself. A short account of the numerous times he has insulted foreign leaders is now in the public domain.
The notable ones include likening Hillary Clinton to “a sadistic nurse in a mental hospital”.
May pledged to make Britain “a country that works for everyone”. She also began filling out her cabinet, replacing chancellor George Osborne with Philip Hammond, who is expected to scale back the austerity of his predecessor.
Speaking as she arrived at the prime minister’s office at 10 Downing Street, Ms. May, 59, who had served for six years as home secretary, sought to position herself firmly in the tradition of “one nation” Conservatism, stressing her commitment to helping the underprivileged and pledging to fight “burning injustice.” She also promised to preside over an economy that benefits everyone.
After an official meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, May, accompanied by her husband, Philip, said: “As we leave the European Union we will forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world, and we will make Britain a country that works not just for a privileged few but for every one of us”.
Another notable appointment was that of David Davis, a former minister for Europe and a longstanding Euroskeptic, to lead a new department responsible for exiting the European Union. Liam Fox, a former defence secretary, will take charge of international trade.
May has effectively handed Mr. Johnson, Mr. Davis and Mr. Fox the responsibility for successfully carrying out Brexit, which they repeatedly promised would yield new opportunities.
Putting crucial international portfolios firmly in the hands of Brexit supporters was perhaps an astute move for May, who had argued, tepidly, for Britain to remain in the EU. Not only do the appointments appear to reflect a desire to unite her party around the outcome of the June 23 vote, they may also be calculated to head off any suggestion from right-wingers that she might not follow the will of the voters.
May takes over at a time of acute political turmoil and economic uncertainty and is the 13th prime minister to serve the Queen — the first was Winston Churchill.
It is instructive that May, who faces immediate pressure from EU leaders to serve formal notice of Britain’s withdrawal and set the clock ticking on a two-year countdown to its final departure, was the home secretary for the past six years, in charge of immigration, passports, crime policy and counter-terrorism, and is known for taking a hard line.
It is against the backdrop of the new British prime minister’s pedigree that Blueprint hinges the expectations of Nigeria on May’s tenure. While we wish the new prime minister success in steering the affairs of a polarized Britain, we urge her to continue to foster stronger bilateral relations with Nigeria, especially on counter-terrorism, war against corruption and the promotion a more flexible immigration policy.
