Theresa May

Theresa May

Theresa May in 2017

Born	Birth date -1st March 1966
Birth place	Eastbourne, Sussex, England
Occupation	Politician

Theresa Mary May (born 1 October 1956) is a British politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019. She was the leader of the Conservative Party and the second female Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher.

Early Life and Education

Theresa May was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, and grew up in Oxfordshire. She attended the University of Oxford, where she studied geography at St Hugh's College.

Political Career

Early Political Involvement

May's political career began in local government, where she served as a councillor for the London Borough of Merton from 1986 to 1994. She was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Maidenhead in the 1997 general election.

Home Secretary

In 2010, May was appointed as the Home Secretary in David Cameron's coalition government. She held this position until 2016, making her the longest-serving Home Secretary in over 60 years. During her tenure, she oversaw policies on immigration, policing, and national security.

Prime Minister

Theresa May became Prime Minister on 13 July 2016, following the resignation of David Cameron after the Brexit referendum. Her premiership was dominated by the negotiations to withdraw the United Kingdom from the European Union.

Brexit Negotiations

May's approach to Brexit was encapsulated in her phrase "Brexit means Brexit." She triggered Article 50 in March 2017, starting the formal process of leaving the EU. Her government faced significant challenges in negotiating a withdrawal agreement that satisfied both the EU and the UK Parliament.

2017 General Election

In 2017, May called a snap general election, seeking to strengthen her mandate for Brexit negotiations. However, the election resulted in a hung parliament, and the Conservative Party lost its majority, leading to a confidence and supply agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Resignation

After multiple failed attempts to pass her Brexit deal through Parliament, May announced her resignation as Conservative leader on 7 June 2019. She remained as Prime Minister until 24 July 2019, when she was succeeded by Boris Johnson.

Personal Life

Theresa May is married to Philip May, whom she met at Oxford. They married in 1980. May is known for her interest in fashion, particularly her choice of shoes, which has been a subject of media attention.

Legacy

May's tenure as Prime Minister is often viewed through the lens of the Brexit process. Her efforts to navigate the complex political landscape of Brexit have been both criticized and praised. Her leadership style and policies continue to be a topic of discussion in British politics.

Also see

• Brexit
• David Cameron
• Boris Johnson
• Conservative Party (UK)
• Prime Minister of the United Kingdom