An emotional Theresa May announced today that she will resign as Prime Minister on June 7. Fighting back tears, the embattled Tory leader said she had done her best to steer the country through the Brexit process but accepted she had come up short. Her Downing Street announcement came after pressure was ramped up from her party - who have lost faith in her ability to deliver Brexit. Her exit will now trigger a Tory leadership contest lasting around six weeks or more. How does a Tory leadership contest work? Under the rules of a Tory leadership race, candidates bidding for the top job must be nominated by just two fellow Conservative MPs. If there are more than two hopefuls for the party reins (which there certainly will be), a series of ballots is held. Those rounds of votes are traditionally held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, meaning it could take a few weeks to whittle down if there are a whole string of candidates. The MP receiving the fewest votes is knocked out in each round until … [Read more...] about Who will be the next Prime Minister and when will we find out
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Opinion: Europe will kill off the next prime minister too
Like Dettol used to kill off all known germs, Europe has a habit of killing off all known Conservative Party leaders. Theresa May is only the latest in a long and pitiful line of failures, unable to lead a party when it no longer wants to be led. There is a no reason to believe that her successor, whoever he or she turns out to be, will have any more luck than May did (or Cameron, Hague, Major, Thatcher... ). Quite the opposite. To use one of her more baleful catchphrases, when the new leader is selected and takes their commission to form a government form the Queen it will soon be apparent that “nothing has changed”. Style, yes; substance, no. If the Tories choose a hard Brexiteer – any of Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab, Esther McVey, Liz Truss, Andrea Leadsom – they still won’t be able to get such a hard Brexit on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms through the House of Commons, even if they reconstruct the administration with a hard Brexit … [Read more...] about Opinion: Europe will kill off the next prime minister too
Rory Stewart declares he would like to be prime minister
Rory Stewart has declared he wants the prime minister’s job, becoming the first cabinet minister to openly do so, as he warned the Conservatives the party would lose 4m votes if it pursued a hard version of Brexit to “outdo Nigel Farage”. Stewart, who was made international development secretary this week, said “yes” when asked if he would throw his hat into the ring to become prime minister, but insisted he was not keen for Theresa May to step down immediately. It comes ahead of a crucial week for May when she is likely to be told by the 1922 Committee that she must set a fast timetable for her departure or face another attempt by Tory MPs to remove her. Sir Graham Brady, the 1922 chair, will meet May on Tuesday before another meeting of backbenchers, who are incensed by the prospect of a Brexit deal involving a customs union that could be struck with Labour. He will tell the prime minister she has lost the support of her MPs and that they may be willing … [Read more...] about Rory Stewart declares he would like to be prime minister
Nicola Sturgeon to discuss economic links with Iceland prime minister in Edinburgh
0 Have your say Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir will meet First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as part of a two-day visit to Scotland this week. Ms Sturgeon said the visit will give an opportunity to discuss how to grow links between the two countries.Ms Jakobsdottir will meet Ms Sturgeon at Bute House in Edinburgh during her visit.READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon announces first ever Arctic Circle meeting in ScotlandShe will also address a meeting of the Wellbeing Economy Governments’ (WEGo) group in Edinburgh, discussing the incorporation of wellbeing into economic thinking.READ MORE: Lesley Riddoch: Now is the time for Nicola Sturgeon to reignite Scottish independence debateSpeaking ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, Ms Sturgeon said: “Scotland and Iceland have much in common with many historic and cultural links. I’m very pleased that the Prime Minister’s visit will help us discuss how we can grow those links in the … [Read more...] about Nicola Sturgeon to discuss economic links with Iceland prime minister in Edinburgh
Journalist Lyra McKee ‘died doing her job with great courage,’ says Prime Minister Theresa May
Journalist Lyra McKee 'died doing her job with great courage,' says Prime Minister Theresa May BelfastTelegraph.co.uk The Prime Minister has paid tribute to Lyra McKee, the 29-year-old journalist murdered on the streets of Derry during rioting. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/journalist-lyra-mckee-died-doing-her-job-with-great-courage-says-prime-minister-theresa-may-38031210.html https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/article38031451.ece/5c339/AUTOCROP/h342/YE%20021117KB5%200060.jpg Email The Prime Minister has paid tribute to Lyra McKee, the 29-year-old journalist murdered on the streets of Derry during rioting. Theresa May said: "The death of Lyra McKee in last night's suspected terrorist incident in Londonderry is shocking and truly senseless. "My deepest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues. She was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage." US speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, speaking during … [Read more...] about Journalist Lyra McKee ‘died doing her job with great courage,’ says Prime Minister Theresa May