Theresa May

📷 Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 3.0 — Roger Harris — 2024

1956 — ?

Royaume-Uni

Politics20th CenturyLate 20th and early 21st century, a period shaped by globalisation, European integration and growing challenges to it

Theresa May (born 1956) is a British politician and member of the Conservative Party. She served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019, succeeding David Cameron following the Brexit referendum.

Famous Quotes

« Brexit means Brexit. »

« No deal is better than a bad deal. »

Key Facts

Born on 1 October 1956 in Eastbourne, England
Elected MP for Maidenhead in 1997, a seat she held for over 25 years
Home Secretary from 2010 to 2016, one of the longest tenures in that role
Became Prime Minister in July 2016 following David Cameron's resignation after the Brexit referendum
Resigned in July 2019 after her EU withdrawal agreement was repeatedly defeated in Parliament

Works & Achievements

Triggering Article 50 of the EU Treaty (29 March 2017)

Theresa May officially initiated the procedure for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, launching an unprecedented diplomatic process in European history.

EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement (November 2018)

After eighteen months of intense negotiations, May concluded a 585-page agreement with Brussels setting out the terms of Brexit, which was rejected three times by the British Parliament.

British Police Reform (Modern Crime Prevention Strategy) (2016)

As Home Secretary (2010–2016), May undertook a major reform of the police forces, reducing staffing levels while keeping crime rates low.

Modern Slavery Act (2015)

Theresa May steered this landmark legislation through Parliament — a first in Europe — criminalising all forms of human trafficking and modern slavery in the United Kingdom.

'Global Britain' Speech (foreign policy doctrine) (January 2017)

In this speech, May set out her vision of a post-Brexit United Kingdom open to the world and committed to international trade, laying the foundations for British diplomacy after leaving the EU.

Anecdotes

Theresa May is known for her passion for shoes, which she collects carefully. She notably wore leopard-print kitten heels at a Conservative Party conference in 2002, earning her the ironic nickname 'the woman in leopard shoes' in the British press.

During the European Union summit in March 2019, Theresa May performed an awkward dance on stage — dubbed the 'Maybot dance' by the media — in front of cameras from around the world at a conference in Cape Town. The footage went viral on social media and became a symbol of her time in office.

Theresa May was the second woman to become British Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher, though she followed little of Thatcher's governing style. She cited Thatcher as a role model in her inaugural speech outside 10 Downing Street in July 2016.

On 29 March 2019, the date originally set for Brexit, the British Parliament rejected the withdrawal agreement negotiated by Theresa May for the third time. She wept publicly when announcing her resignation on 24 May 2019 — a rare sight for a leader renowned for her composure.

Theresa May is the daughter of an Anglican vicar and grew up in an Oxford vicarage. Her Christian faith has always shaped her positions, particularly on social justice and inequality — themes she addressed from her very first speech outside 10 Downing Street.

Primary Sources

Inaugural Speech outside 10 Downing Street (July 13, 2016)

I am about to become Prime Minister of a great country — a great government that will not only deliver the Brexit that people voted for, but will also build on it. Because Brexit must mean Brexit.

Theresa May's Resignation Speech (May 24, 2019)

I have done everything I can to convince MPs to back that deal. Sadly I have not been able to do so... It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me.

Speech at Conservative Party Conference — 'No deal is better than a bad deal' (October 2016)

We are seeking the best possible deal for Britain... But no deal is better than a bad deal.

Official Notification Letter to the EU — Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (March 29, 2017)

Her Majesty's Government hereby notifies the European Union of the United Kingdom's intention to withdraw from the European Union and from the European Atomic Energy Community.

Key Places

10 Downing Street, London

The official residence and office of the British Prime Minister, where Theresa May lived and governed from July 2016 to July 2019.

Westminster (House of Commons)

May served as MP for Maidenhead from 1997, and later defended her Brexit deals at the dispatch box before a hostile Parliament.

Maidenhead, Berkshire

Theresa May's constituency since 1997, a town in west London's commuter belt where she still lives today.

European Council Building, Brussels

The venue for crucial negotiations between Theresa May and European leaders over the terms of Brexit, and the stage for many a hard-fought diplomatic stand-off.

Eastbourne, East Sussex

The town where Theresa May grew up as the daughter of the Reverend Hubert Brasier. This Anglican upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of public service and moral integrity.