The battle to replace David Cameron as UK’s next prime minister is down to two candidates, both women: Theresa May vs. Andrea Leadsom.
Is either of them the second coming of Margaret Thatcher?
For clues, let’s turn to interview clips in the Telegraph article Theresa May: Britain faces ‘tough times’ but can enjoy a ‘better, brighter future’ outside the EU.
In her first interview since she and Andrea Leadsom were named as the final two candidates vying to become the next Prime Minister, Mrs May tells the Telegraph: “Politics can do with some bloody difficult women.”
The Home Secretary says that a female Prime Minister will bring “honesty” and a greater focus on “delivery” in Downing Street, as she suggests that men tend to treat politics as a “game”.
She also appeals to people not to consider her as a “remainer” after she campaigned to keep Britain in the EU, saying that she is “very clear that Brexit means Brexit”.
She insists that she is not the “new Margaret Thatcher”, describing the former Prime Minister as “absolutely unique”. “People love to draw parallels but I just get on with the job and that is my philosophy,” she says.
Mrs May says: “If I am prime minister we will come out of the European Union and part of that will be control of free movement.”
She says: “It’s very important that we unite as a party and as a country. I am very clear that Brexit means Brexit.
Both Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, and Arron Banks, the party’s donor, have said they support Mrs Leadsom as next Conservative leader.
Last week she refused to rule out Mr Farage forming part of her Brexit negotiating team.
She vs. She
Mish Analysis
May was on the “remain” team which many feel taints her.
Yet, May topped the second round poll of MPs with the support of 199 out of 330 Tory MPs. Leadsom got 84, and Michael Gove, the justice secretary, 46.
Given that Tories voted heavily in favor of leave, and May was a “remainer”, May would seem like an unlikely choice.
But May is widely respected. She was also a weak supporter of remain.
I wonder if her remain position was a pragmatic choice (expecting Remain to win), as opposed to a solid position.
Regardless, May is saying the right things now.
May Quotes
- “Ken Clarke says I am a bloody difficult woman. The next man to find that out will be Jean-Claude Juncker.” – July 2016
- “My pitch is very simple. I’m Theresa May and I think I’m the best person to be prime minister of this country.” – June 2016
- “It’s very clear that Brexit means Brexit.” – July 2016
- “If I am prime minister we will come out of the European Union and part of that will be control of free movement.” – July 2016
Those are clear, concise, and consistent. May seems like an excellent choice.
I have largely presented a one-sided view, as did the Telegraph.
The Telegraph also listed the strengths and weaknesses of both candidates, something I cannot easily do without copying their entire article.
The EU has far more to lose than the UK with foolish stubbornness.
The EU Cannot Survive as a Prison. Voters, not EU bureaucrats hold the key.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Once again, it is Angela Merkel is the Person Most Responsible for Brexit. Her policies on migration led to the UK voting to leave.
It’s high time her highness look into the mirror to see who is to blame.
Also note that Merkel has her hands full already as Italy Threatens to Defy Merkel, Brussels Over bank Bailouts.
Finally, note that it is the UK not the EU who has the better cards in this game of poker. For details, please see “No Cherry Picking” Says Merkel; Risk of Global Trade Collapse says Mish.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Merkel indeed gets a big vote of thanks for the timing. Perhaps some blame or thanks also to the USA Neo-cons, Hilary et al. at the State Dept. whose Middle East policies helped create the death, destruction, terror and fear that created the huge refugee flight in the first place. Merkel was stuck handling that mess; yes, she got it wrong, but give the USA War Party some credit for their role in creating the mess for Merkel. Cameron’s timing was indeed impeccable, in calling for the election many months in advance of the peak mess. Lots of credit to go around.
Theresa May has done a remarkable job at the Home Office, a department that her Labour predecessors described as “not fit for purpose”, although some point to her ability to disguise failures rather than bring successes. She also caused the UK to surrender its opt outs to some EU policies, notably the European Arrest Warrant that now means UK citizens can be sent to EU countries seeking their arrest, not all of which have the same levels of protections accused persons enjoy under UK laws nor do some have judges of incorruptable integrity.
As for ” control of free movement” that is not the same as stop free movement and some Brexiteers have pointed to the worrying difference.
May has done a remarkably bad job, record number of immigrants, the London riots, Rotherham rape gangs, collapse in police confidence and rising crime. Zero charisma and would be unelectable,
Leadsom for me, the orchestrated smear campaign against her convinces me she is the right choice.
Mish, I’m a regular reader and a great fan of your blog, but I have to say you won’t get far in your analysis of May versus Leadsom by simply reading the UK press which is no better that the US media for partiality and distortion.
What our press is unlikely to mention is that Theresa May has a dour, lacklustre six year record as Home Secretary during which time she is on record as stating that, “….many Britons benefit a great deal from Sharia Law.” (http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/674489/Home-Secretary-Theresa-May-says-Britain-benefits-Sharia-Law), and presided over uncontrolled mass immigration whilst her boss Cameron was publicly promising to limit net immigration to 100,000/year.
As PM she would be what we refer to as a “Safe pair of hands”, but would be a 100% establishment, business as usual leader.
Andrea Leadsom is an unknown quantity to most of us Brits so I have no views either way concerning her qualities, although being not Theresa May has some appeal for me.
‘She also caused the UK to surrender its opt outs to some EU policies, notably the European Arrest Warrant that now means UK citizens can be sent to EU countries seeking their arrest, not all of which have the same levels of protections accused persons enjoy under UK laws nor do some have judges of incorruptable integrity.’
How can someone who did this be a good choice?
I know nothing about her, but this is a failure of the highest order. From this I am inclined to believe the comment ‘some point to her ability to disguise failures rather than bring successes’.
This comment doesn’t really inspire confidence, either:
“My pitch is very simple. I’m Theresa May and I think I’m the best person to be prime minister of this country.” – June 2016
Just a tad too narcissistic for my liking.
Might as well go for the candidate favoured by the main players, Farrage et al. Presumably they have good reason.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/its-fair-to-say-we-were-useless-against-diamond-leadsom-7923536.html Andrea Leadsom is a very good and competent leader in waiting
Teresa May will continue David Camerons Policies. Implementing the Super Snoopers Charter, replacing Trident missile system for sabre rattling, and views on Sharia law. Also met with Richard Branson, inference is how to have a second EU referendum.
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/05/28/teresa-may-sharia-courts-benefit-muslims-britain/
The Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson has held secret talks with Theresa May in an effort to boost his plea for a second referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union (EU).
http://news.sky.com/story/branson-and-may-meet-as-tycoon-demands-new-poll-10420876
The public won’t get a proper choice on next PM, maybe opinion will sway the result a bit.
“I wonder if her remain position was a pragmatic choice (expecting Remain to win), as opposed to a solid position.”
It doesn’t matter. Intentions don’t matter, facts do.
She was a remainer.
Compare and contrast the females running for office on both sides of the pond.
Hillary – Vote for me, I have a vagina.
By second coming of Margaret Thatcher, do you mean fight a useless war in the Falklands to boost sagging popularity?
If i remember correctly, it was Argentina that invaded the Falklands. It turned out to be that Argentina fought a useless war.
What’s funny is that the sexist leftists are apoplectic that a “Maggie Thatcher” could be the next prime minister.
Mish,
Would you suggest going long the pound given the hit is has taken. I fully expect UK to improve once it is out of EU especially with an EU disintegration (I fully expect this is now a given and just a matter of time)
The pound at some point will be a good play – I do not have a crystal ball on timing. Then the question is long the pound vs what? Two choices: Euro or US dollar
Vs the Euro has complications. If Germany leaves the Euro it will collapse, If Spain Italy etc leave, and Germany and the northern states stay, results may be remarkable different.
The significance of two women being top on the list for Cameron’s replacement is a strong indication of the UK being in a bear market. Thatch came into power in the late 1970’s, which the West was experiencing a strong recession. France’s economy is crumbling and Marine LePen is rising. Merkel became her party’s leader just as markets had made their DotCom tops and reversed very quickly.
So given that we are continually told by the TPTB that the US is in a bull market, with all the indicators fixed to reflect this … does that mean we can all breathe a sigh of relief that the dreaded Hildabeast will get soundly trashed in the November Presidential election? Hmm, didn’t think so! Maybe they lied.
I’m British and a Brexiteer! I think there is a general concern that whilst Teresa May, indeed Teresa May NOT!
http://www.eu-facts.org/en/whoiswho/architects.html
1964 photo published by EU, but leaving out the nazi backgrounds of the “fathers of the EU”.
Blessings on your Creative and Loving Way, Michael Winn
England has two women running for PM. There are still a couple men in third / fourth place. There were several other men who may or may not have had a chance, but dropped out.
The British who are commenting here are talking about whether Theresa May is really establishment or will she back Brexit out of practicality. They talk about whether Leadsom and the others would better represent England in global relations and with the EU. They are trying to pick the best candidate.
Across the pond, the embarrassing establishment is telling US citizens to vote for Hilary the Traitor because she has a vagina? She is guilty on every single crime the FBI investigated, but too connected to be held to the same laws as everyone else?
The US has 5-6 times the population of England — yet there are no other women, no other democrats who might be acceptable? Its the traitor with a vagina or else scorched earth?
Trump > scorched earth.
Just sayin…
Trump is running as a republican, my comment was about the democratic party’s obsession with the Traitor with a vagina.
England has 1/5th the population (roughly) and yet they found two viable female candidates on very short notice (plus however many men). The British have differing opinions of May / Leadsom (as one would expect), but no one has investigated them and the FBI hasn’t found them guilty of treason.
What kind of a messed up country do we have that the democrats want to support a criminal who is guilty of treason — purely because it is female? If you absolutely must have a female US president, how about the millions of other women who have not committed a crime?
Democrats should have pressured Comey to indict Hilary, and then run a viable candidate. With 1/5th the population, the Brits found TWO on short notice. Why can’t the US do so?
Trump needs to think carefully about his support for a police state (see Apple iPhone, etc). The US is not a police state.
May’s aide hints at second referendum: Former Attorney General says ‘People may change their mind… it is not writ in stone’
The prospect of a second vote was raised by the former Attorney General
Dominic Grieve, a Remain advocate, said: ‘People can change their minds’
But a pro-Brexit Tory MP said the inability to accept the result is ‘worrying’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3682742/May-s-aide-hints-second-referendum-Former-Attorney-General-says-People-change-mind-not-writ-stone.html
Jamie Dimon: Brexit could be reversed.
http://money.cnn.com/2016/07/08/news/jamie-dimon-brexit-reverse/index.html
‘BLACK OPS’: UK’s Conservative, Brexit PM Candidate Under Barrage From Establishment.
“I think she’s the victim of a mega stitch up. I think she’s been treated, actually, by the media very much the way I was back in 2014 like just get the feeling that if you really challenge the establishment they come back and bite you very very hard”.
These were the words of the outgoing UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage on LBC radio on Sunday morning, as Britain’s newspapers launched into another barrage of hatred against the socially conservative, pro-Brexit candidate to be the next leader of the Conservative Party.
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/07/10/uks-conservative-brexit-pm-candidate-fire-globalist-establishment/