The battle to replace David Cameron as UK's next prime minister is down to two candidates, both women: Theresa May vs. Andrea Leadsom.
Is either of them the second coming of Margaret Thatcher?
For clues, let's turn to interview clips in the Telegraph article Theresa May: Britain faces 'tough times' but can enjoy a 'better, brighter future' outside the EU.
In her first interview since she and Andrea Leadsom were named as the final two candidates vying to become the next Prime Minister, Mrs May tells the Telegraph: "Politics can do with some bloody difficult women."
The Home Secretary says that a female Prime Minister will bring "honesty" and a greater focus on "delivery" in Downing Street, as she suggests that men tend to treat politics as a "game".
She also appeals to people not to consider her as a "remainer" after she campaigned to keep Britain in the EU, saying that she is "very clear that Brexit means Brexit".
She insists that she is not the "new Margaret Thatcher", describing the former Prime Minister as "absolutely unique". "People love to draw parallels but I just get on with the job and that is my philosophy," she says.
Mrs May says: "If I am prime minister we will come out of the European Union and part of that will be control of free movement."
She says: "It's very important that we unite as a party and as a country. I am very clear that Brexit means Brexit.
Both Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, and Arron Banks, the party's donor, have said they support Mrs Leadsom as next Conservative leader.
Last week she refused to rule out Mr Farage forming part of her Brexit negotiating team.
She vs. She
Mish Analysis
May was on the "remain" team which many feel taints her.
Yet, May topped the second round poll of MPs with the support of 199 out of 330 Tory MPs. Leadsom got 84, and Michael Gove, the justice secretary, 46.
Given that Tories voted heavily in favor of leave, and May was a "remainer", May would seem like an unlikely choice.
But May is widely respected. She was also a weak supporter of remain.
I wonder if her remain position was a pragmatic choice (expecting Remain to win), as opposed to a solid position.
Regardless, May is saying the right things now.
May Quotes
- "Ken Clarke says I am a bloody difficult woman. The next man to find that out will be Jean-Claude Juncker." - July 2016
- "My pitch is very simple. I'm Theresa May and I think I'm the best person to be prime minister of this country." - June 2016
- "It's very clear that Brexit means Brexit." - July 2016
- "If I am prime minister we will come out of the European Union and part of that will be control of free movement." - July 2016
Those are clear, concise, and consistent. May seems like an excellent choice.
I have largely presented a one-sided view, as did the Telegraph.
The Telegraph also listed the strengths and weaknesses of both candidates, something I cannot easily do without copying their entire article.
@AmbroseEP The next prime minister needs to address the UK, then call Merkel and lay it on the line: Open movement is not in the cards.
-- Mike Shedlock (@MishGEA) July 9, 2016
The EU has far more to lose than the UK with foolish stubbornness.
The EU Cannot Survive as a Prison. Voters, not EU bureaucrats hold the key.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Once again, it is Angela Merkel is the Person Most Responsible for Brexit. Her policies on migration led to the UK voting to leave.
It's high time her highness look into the mirror to see who is to blame.
Also note that Merkel has her hands full already as Italy Threatens to Defy Merkel, Brussels Over Bank Bailouts.
Finally, note that it is the UK not the EU who has the better cards in this game of poker. For details, please see "No Cherry Picking" Says Merkel; Risk of Global Trade Collapse says Mish.
