Don’t Oust Theresa May
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I have no shame in admitting that I voted for Brexit. Over two years since the referendum I still maintain the belief that Britain will be better off outside of the EU and that the long-term benefits will greatly outweigh the possible pitfalls that will occur in the short term. Despite my optimism about Britain’s future, there is one thing that concerns me – short-term stability.
Theresa May has held on to her role as Prime Minister by the skin of her teeth. Since taking the top job during the fallout from the Brexit referendum, the PM has been hounded by the misfortune that has occurred due mostly to her own inadequacies. Arguably her most disastrous moment came in the June 2017 general election. Following a sluggish election campaign, the PM found herself the scapegoat for an unexpectedly less that satisfying election night that saw the Conservatives lose their steady grip on the House of Commons.
Since then, the PM has been at the mercy of her party and cabinet. The personal ambitions of some in the Conservative party hierarchy are all too evident and at the ample opportunity, some will undoubtedly seek to topple Theresa May and take over the mantle of Prime Minister.
However, I believe this will only add further challenges to those that Brexit already pose. What the UK needs is political stability. What the negotiations with the EU need is political stability. Whether or not you agree with the current government’s vision for what Brexit will look like is irrelevant. For two years Theresa May and her team have been leading the negotiations with the other members of the EU, and with only six months until the March 29th negotiation deadline the ramifications of leadership change and a subsequent change to negotiation approach will only hamper the chances of a deal being struck that provides the UK with the short-term brace it will need.
Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Michael Gove and all the rest may have their sights aimed at Theresa May’s job, but for now, the important thing is stability in the government. Not only is this important for the negotiation process but for the stability of the UK as a whole. The Conservatives need to keep their heads together and allow Theresa May to ride out the storm, at least for the time being. Personal ambition should not and cannot be allowed to get in the way as the disunity of the Conservatives gives rise to the likelihood of Jeremy Corbyn leading a Labour government into negotiations – a prospect I’m sure will send a chill down the spine of most Brexiteers.