British PM elect sets targets on social reform and Brexit success

Britain’s home secretary Theresa May will become Britain’s second female prime minister on Wednesday in a rapid ascent to the premiership that came after energy minister Andrea Leadsom, her sole remaining challenger, suddenly withdrew from the leadership race.

May, who had campaigned for remain in the EU referendum, said she was “honoured and humbled” to have been chosen by her party, before announcing that she would “make a success” of Brexit.

Her campaign, she said, had been based on a series of messages: “First, the need for strong, proven leadership to steer us through what will be difficult and uncertain economic and political times, the need, of course, to negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU, and to forge a new role for ourselves in the world. Second, we are going to unite our country and, third, we need a strong, new positive vision for the future of our country, a vision of a country that works not for the privileged few, but that works for every one of us.”

Surrounded by her MPs, May pointed out that after a bitter referendum that divided the party, strong leadership was needed.

“Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it,” she said.

Leading Eurosceptic Steve Baker, who supported Leadsom, emerged from a meeting of the 1922 Committee and said that the party was now unity.

“Many in the voluntary party were disappointed about the fact that they would not now have a vote. I hope they will understand that Andrea made a thoughtful decision,” he added.

Leadsom, who had the backing of the majority of Eurosceptic MPs, withdrew herself the race just after noon, saying that it was in the “best interests of the country” because a nine-week contest could be destabilising. “Business needs certainty; a strong and unified government must move quickly to set out what an independent UK’s framework for business looks like,” she said.

The energy minister identified lack of support among Tory MPs as her reason for pulling out.

“The backing of 84 colleagues had been a great expression of confidence but was less than 25% of the parliamentary party,” she said. “It was not sufficient to become prime minister, even if members backed me.”

Nevertheless, May has said she will not invoke the Article 50 EU exit clause this year, the Financial Times reports, speculating that she could come under pressure from Eurosceptics to pull the trigger to formalise Brexit.

May also ruled out the possibility of an early general election, arguing that she was part of the Conservatives’ leading team that won a mandate last year.

“We need a government that will deliver serious social reform – and make ours a country that truly works for everyone. Because right now, if you’re born poor, you will die on average nine years earlier than others. If you’re black, you’re treated more harshly by the criminal justice system than if you’re white. If you’re a white working-class boy, you’re less likely than anybody else to go to university. If you’re at a state school, you’re less likely to reach the top professions than if you’re educated privately. If you’re a woman, you still earn less than a man,” May said in a speech.

She suggested that government-backed project bonds could be used to boost infrastructure, calling for a “proper industrial strategy” and a plan to develop all of Britain’s great cities.

May also called for the government to take more powers to block predatory takeovers of important companies, citing Pfizer’s failed bid for AstraZeneca, and made another promise to tackle corporate tax evasion.

Conservative deputy chairman Robert Halfon suggested that May had laid out a vision that placed his party’s tanks on Labour lawns.

“This was a speech for a real workers’ party: radical proposals that give people real rights. It was an assault on crony capitalism. It put meat on the bones of compassionate Conservatism,” he said.