Theresa May

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Theresa May in Sept. 2017

Theresa May (née Brasier, born 1st October 1956; Lady May since her husband was knighted in 2020) was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 13th July 2016 to 24th July 2019, and was leader of the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom from 11th July 2016 to 7th June 2019. She was previously Home Secretary (responsible for internal affairs) from 2010. Prior to this role, she held various positions in the government and Opposition from 1999. She has been the Member of Parliament for Maidenhead since 1997, but has said she will retire in 2024 when the date of the next general election is confirmed. In June 2016, she became a contender for the leadership of her party and the role of Prime Minister, but won by default on 11th July 2016 when her only remaining opponent withdrew. She resigned in July 2019 and was succeeded by Johnson.

May was born Theresa Mary Brasier in Eastbourne, Sussex, daughter of a clergyman, and read geography at Oxford University. She later worked for the Bank of England (1985-1997) and as a local councillor in the London Borough of Merton (1986-1994).

May is only the second woman to hold the office of Prime Minister of the UK. Her first cabinet equalled the Blair government's record of 8 women out of 23, and for the first time 2 of the 4 most senior posts were held by women. Unlike her successor, May is a dignified politician. She was by no means a great prime minister but she has earned widespread respect, even among her opponents in Labour and other parties.