OPINIONS

OPINION- Theresa May is now a lame duck Prime Minister

25 May, 2019
Oliver Down
Oliver Down
Current Affairs Correspondent

Britain now has a prime minister in name only. Following Theresa Mays expected resignation this morning, she is now purely a sitting duck (if she wasn’t before) the 7th of June and after Donald Trumps state visit. Suddenly the job seems attractive no pressure to enact policy, just a soiree with the leader of the free world. Despite this, there is no shortage of takers for the job. However, Friday the 24th May should be Theresa May’s day!

Theresa May’s premiership will undoubtedly be judged by her failure to deliver Brexit as she promised. Many will counter argue that she was playing against a stacked deck. The importance of her calling “that” snap election, resulting in her losing her majority, following her walking holiday with her husband Phillip should never be underestimated. However, an underplayed factor of Mrs May’s premiership was her decision to invoke article 50. Many, including current Tory leadership front runner Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg slammed this decision. They, and many others suggest that this took away Mrs May’s left arm by allowing the European Union to simply run down the clock, the jury is out as to the impact of this decision.

In more recent events, her decision to engage in cross party talks, was praised by some and infuriated the Brexiteer wing of her party in particular. However, the numerical arithmetic of parliament at this present time in addition with the Conservatives propping mechanism the Democratic Unionist party pulling their support made it very difficult too see the withdrawal agreement flying without significant support from the opposition parties. However, this was hugely misguided, any labour gains she would make towards a softer Brexit she would lose on the Brexit wing of her party. Her strategy was flawed.
An era that promised to tackle ‘burning injustices’ became so consumed by a Brexit process doomed for failure, that little domestic policy was enacted alongside this “Brexit” catastrophe. Many will suggest that as a remainer Mrs May simply did not have the tools to succeed. Although Theresa May made a catalogue of dismal mistakes, she undoubtedly believed in delivering Brexit. Witnessing her statement on the steps of 10 downing street was uncomfortable viewing, and many will argue she deserved better.

 

 

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