Theresa May: A profile of Britain's next prime minister

Theresa May has long held an ambition for the top job in British politics. Credit: PA


Theresa May began her political career in the middle of Margaret Thatcher's premiership and has long been touted as the woman most likely to become Britain's second female prime minister.

The long-time darling of the Tory grass-roots has earned a reputation as a tough and experienced political operator with a thick skin and traditional conservative views, with only her trademark bold choice of footwear hinting at a wilder side.

Theresa May has earned a reputation for her colourful choice of footwear. Credit: PA

Mapping out her future

The vicar's daughter, an only child, was born in Eastbourne in 1956 and educated in both public and private education before heading to Oxford, where she met her future husband Philip and danced to the hits of her beloved Abba.

May studied geography before beginning her career in finance, first at the Bank of England.

Theresa May sported a raincoat and a trilby hat as she allowed cameras to film her after winning election to Parliament in 1997. Credit: ITV Meridian


She entered politics via the local council in the London borough of Merton in the mid 1980s but would wait until 1997 before entering Parliament as the opposition's member for Maidenhead.

Quick rise in Parliament

May was quickly promoted to prominent roles within the party.

She oversaw the shadow portfolios for education, employment, work and pensions and House of Commons leader, while also briefly serving as the Conservative's first female chairman.

Theresa May earned her first shadow cabinet role under William Hague's leadership two years after being elected to Parliament. Credit: PA

Theresa May fell into Lib Dem MP Richard Allan's lap during a game of musical chairs in 2001. Credit: PA


The coalition's election in 2010 saw May installed as Home Secretary, as she became only the the fourth woman to occupy one of the four great offices of state.


At home making enemies


Her six year run in the department - the longest for more than 50 years - saw her establish her reputation as a tough politician happy to make enemies in pursuit of government policy.

David Cameron installed Theresa May as his Home Secretary when the Tory-led coalition came to power in 2010. Credit: PA


She proved combative with the police force with a memorably attacking speech at the Police Federation's annual conference in 2014 and consistently spoke out against the European Convention on Human Rights.

May survived criticism for failing to deliver on her government's pledge to reduce immigration levels and despite being an ever-present in Cabinet, maintained a political distance from the power base of David Cameron and George Osborne without rocking the party boat.

Seeing off her rivals

Many had tipped May to face Osborne and Boris Johnson in a future race for leader before the EU referendum and aftermath blew the latter two's expected candidacies apart leaving her as the candidate to beat.

Three challengers fell before Andrea Leadsom's shock withdrawal from the race to replace Cameron propelled May towards power.

Theresa May saw off the challenges of (left to right) Liam Fox, Stephen Crabb, Andrea Leadsom and Michael Gove. Credit: PA


Her automatic installation means Conservative party members will not get the chance to officially endorse the 59-year-old May as their choice of leader.

But they would have been expected to echo the overwhelming support she received from her party colleagues.

Making the Brexit pledge

The pro-Remain May has vowed to unite those divided by the EU referendum but may be tested on her aim to wait until 2017 before triggering Article 50 to begin the country's formal exit.

She has been unequivocal about honouring the result of the May vote, though.

Theresa May promised to 'unite and govern in the best interests of the country'. Credit: PA

"Brexit means Brexit," May said. "The campaign was fought, the vote was held, turnout was high and the public gave their verdict. There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it through the back door and no second referendum."

'A bloody difficult woman'

Only last week she received a backhanded endorsement of sorts from the now-backbench former chancellor Ken Clarke as his chat with fellow Tory grandee Sir Malcolm Rifkind was accidentally caught on camera.

"Theresa is a bloody difficult woman but you and I worked with Margaret Thatcher," Clarke said, adding "she is good" though doubting her knowledge of foreign policy.

Ken Clarke and Theresa May have been colleagues in cabinet in and out of power. Credit: PA


May's prepared response underlined her experience and ambition.

"Ken Clarke might have found me to be a 'bloody difficult woman'. The next person to find that out will be (President of the European Commission) Jean-Claude Juncker." -