THE NEXT ‘IRON LADY?’

Jul 20, 2016 Editorial

Of the more than 200 countries in the world, only a few have had a female head of state. Britain is perhaps the only country in the modern era to have two female Prime Ministers.
Last week 59-year-old Theresa May succeeded David Cameron as Britain’s prime minister, becoming only the second female in British history to hold that office. The first, of course, was the legendary Margaret Thatcher, who led the country from 1979 to 1990.
The developments that led to Mrs. May’s ascension to the highest political office in Britain will most likely be remembered as a drama. She became the leader of the Conservative Party and the Prime Minister of Britain almost by default after all of her rivals, including the controversial Boris Johnson, former Mayor of London, now the Foreign Secretary, dropped out of the leadership race. The change came quickly and unexpectedly.
As prime minister, she will have the unenviable task of leading Britain out of the European Union (EU) in accordance with the will of the majority of the electorate who voted in a referendum on June 23, 2016 for Britain to leave the union.
Due to the economic and political risks on the EU spawned by the British exit, referred to as Brexit, Mrs. May will likely face renewed agitation from Scotland for independence, given that the Scots voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU.
It will not be an easy job for the new Prime Minister who supported the ‘remain’ campaign, which was led by former Prime Minister Cameron who announced his resignation almost immediately after losing the vote. He asserted that the country required fresh leadership to take it out of the EU.
Mrs. May will need the support of those who voted to remain. She will have to convince Britons who voted to leave that she can honestly negotiate the best deal for Britain, from an EU that is angry and has firmly stated that no special considerations would be given to Britain. But the new prime minister has vowed to get the best exit deal for Britain and to create an economy that works not for the privileged few, but for all.
An experienced veteran in Conservative politics, Theresa May has always supported a pro-market stance and has taken a no-nonsense approach to law and order. Could she be the next ‘Iron Lady’ of Britain? Like Thatcher, May has a reputation for hard work and competence. As Home Secretary for six years, she emerged politically unscathed from a job that tends to be a political graveyard and a political failure for most of her predecessors.
However, her unwavering position against migration from Europe could damage her credibility to negotiate a new trade deal with the EU. That, in turn, would affect big businesses that depend on the best access possible to Europe’s single market which thrives on the acceptance of the principle of free movement of workers across borders.
Prime Minister May takes over Britain at a time of crisis, gloom and abundant uncertainty – the country is now deeply divided over the decision to leave the EU. Its economy is at risk, its place in the world unsure, and its unity threatened by unambiguous calls for Scottish independence. The Brexit vote has shocked the nation, reduced consumer confidence, and has placed businesses in an unsure position whether or not to invest or hire. With a debt that exceeds one trillion pounds, which is 90 percent of its GDP, Britain has lost its top ratings with the major credit agencies.
Now that Europe is facing its biggest terrorist threat in a generation, it remains to be seen if the EU nations will continue to share intelligence with Britain in the wake of its withdrawal. Britons had the courage to forge their own future by voting to leave the EU. Let’s see how power will shape Prime Minister May’s tenure.

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