The Profile of the New British Prime Minister, THERESA MAY

THERESA MAY

Political Profile

Date of birth: 1 October 1956

Job: Home secretary

One of the longest-serving home secretaries in British history, Mrs May, who turns 60 later this year, has long been regarded as a potential future leader of the party.

An early advocate of Conservative “modernisation” with a famously exotic taste in shoes, she is seen as one of Westminster’s toughest and shrewdest operators.

Her political stock rose when, in 2013, she succeeded where many other home secretaries before her had failed and successfully deported radical cleric Abu Qatada. But she has faced constant criticism over the government’s failure to meet its promise to get net migration down to below 100,000 a year.

First elected to Parliament in 1997 as the MP for Maidenhead, Mrs May joined the shadow cabinet in 1999 as shadow education secretary and in 2002, she became the party’s first female chairman. She ruffled feathers at that year’s Conservative conference when she told party members that they were seen as members of the “nasty party”. Some in the party have never forgiven her for it.

Mrs May – who became the UK’s most senior female politician after being appointed home secretary in 2010 – has been a prominent advocate of positive action to recruit more women Tories to winnable seats. She has persistently called for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights but she has said she would drop this policy if she became prime minister, saying there is not a parliamentary majority for it.

In 2014, she stunned the annual conference of the Police Federation by telling them corruption problems were not just limited to “a few bad apples” and threatening to end the federation’s automatic right to enrol officers as its members.

In the same year, she got into a bitter public row with cabinet colleague Michael Gove over the best way to combat Islamist extremism, which ended with Gove having to apologise to the prime minister and Mrs May having to sack a long-serving special adviser.

Prior to her parliamentary career, Mrs May worked at the Bank of England, and rose to become head of the European Affairs Unit of the Association for Payment Clearing Services.

Mrs May, who revealed in 2013 that she has type 1 diabetes, grew up in Oxfordshire, the only child of a Church of England vicar. She met her future husband Philip at university, where she studied geography, and they were married in 1980. The couple have no children.

Education: Mainly state-educated at Wheatley Park Comprehensive School with a brief time at an independent school; St Hugh’s College, Oxford

Family: Married

On her party’s future: “(It is) nothing less than the patriotic duty of our party to unite and to govern in the best interests of the whole country. We need a bold, new positive vision for the future of our country – a country that works not for a privileged few but for every one of us.” Says people want more than just a “Brexit PM” and has vowed to unify the Leave and Remain factions in the party.

Where she stands on Brexit: Backed Remain campaign but says vote to come out must be respected. “Brexit means Brexit. The campaign was fought, the vote was held, turnout was high and the public gave their verdict. There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it through the back door and no second referendum.” Mrs May also said there should be no general election before 2020 and no “emergency” Brexit budget – and that she would abandon the target of eliminating Britain’s Budget deficit by the end of the decade – a day before the chancellor himself abandoned it.

When she would trigger Article 50: Would not push the button to take Britain out of the EU before the end of 2016, to give Britain time to “finalise” its negotiating stance.

Free movement policy: “It must be a priority to allow British companies to trade with the single market in goods and services but also to regain more control of the numbers of people who are coming here from Europe.”

She has said the status of EU nationals living in the UK would form part of the forthcoming Brexit negotiations, refusing to guarantee that they will be allowed to remain, in contrast to her rivals. She has also suggested migration could rise ahead of the UK’s eventual exit from the EU but remains committed to the government’s aim of getting net migration below 100,000 a year.

What the press say: “In a political party that struggles to shake off its elitist, old Etonian, yah-boo-sucks reputation, May represents a different kind of politician: a calm headmistress in a chamber full of over-excitable public schoolboys. She holds herself at one remove… her obdurate stance has earned her some vociferous critics. There are those who claim that, while she takes care never to sully her own hands with the grubby business of political backstabbing, she will send out her team to issue ferocious briefings against her rivals.” The Guardian.

The new PM is known for her exotic taste in shoes.

United Kingdom Gets New Prime Minister As Cameron Officially Bows out

Britain’s Home Secretary, Theresa May has emerged the country’s new Prime Minister (PM) and will assume office on Wednesday, as David Cameron in a shocking move, yesterday, announced that he will quit office on the same day.

On June 24, Cameron announced his decision to step down by October, after the UK voted to leave the European Union. Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, he said “fresh leadership” was needed. The PM had urged the country to vote Remain but was defeated by 52 per cent to 48 per cent despite London, Scotland and Northern Ireland backing staying in.

Flanked by his wife Samantha, the PM had announced that he had informed the Queen of his decision to remain in place for the short term and to then hand over to a new prime minister by the time of the Conservative conference in October.

But in a rather unexpected move, Cameron announced his decision to quit later in the week, on Monday.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street yesterday, Cameron said he would offer his resignation to the Queen on Wednesday afternoon at Buckingham Palace.

Cameron’s decision to quit came shortly after Mrs May’s only rival, Mrs Andrea Leadsom, abruptly pulled out of the race.

Mrs May and Mrs Leadsom were due to contest a ballot of around 150,000 Conservative party members, with the result to be declared by September 9. But Mrs Leadsom unexpectedly withdrew on Monday, removing the need for a nine-week leadership contest.

Mrs May will become Britain’s second female prime minister after Margaret Thatcher and among PMs to emerge without a general election.

As the new PM, she will now be saddled with the task of steering UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.

Britain’s planned withdrawal has weakened the 28-nation bloc, created huge uncertainty over trade and investment, and shaken financial markets.

Mrs May’s victory means that the complex process of extricating Britain from the EU will be led by someone who favoured a vote to remain in last month’s membership referendum. She has said Britain needs time to work out its negotiating strategy and should not initiate formal divorce proceedings before the end of the year, but has also emphasised that ‘Brexit means Brexit’.

Last Monday, Mrs May comfortably won the first round of the contest to become the next Conservative leader.

The leadership contest was sparked by David Cameron’s decision to step down as prime minister.

The process of choosing a successor – and the new prime minister – began last on Monday, and 329 of the 330 Conservative MPs took part in a secret ballot.

The result was later announced by Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench Tory MPs, with Mrs May securing a comfortable lead over her rivals. The results showed that Mrs May polled 165 or 50 per cent votes while energy minister Andrea Leadsom got 66 or 20 per cent, Justice Secretary Michael Gove, 48 or 15 per cent, Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb, 34 or 10 per cent and former Defence Secretary Liam Fox, 16 or 5 per cent.

Fox, who came last was eliminated while Crabb, with 34 votes, decided to drop out.

The new prime minister, who had campaigned strongly for a Remain victory, said “fresh leadership” was required as the UK negotiates its exit from the European Union.

In a brief statement outside No 10 yesterday, Cameron said Mrs Leadsom had made “absolutely the right decision” to stand aside and that he was “delighted” Mrs May, the home secretary, was to succeed him.

He said a “prolonged period of transition” was not necessary, and added: “So tomorrow I will chair my last cabinet meeting. On Wednesday I will attend the House of Commons for Prime Minister’s Questions.

“After that I expect to go the Palace and offer my resignation.”

The prime minister described Mrs May as “strong” and “competent” and said she was “more than able to provide the leadership” the UK needs in the coming years.

“She will have my full support,” he added.

Cameron’s statement came after another day of dramatic developments in the political word, when Mrs Leadsom pulled out of the two-way leadership contest, leaving Mrs May – the front runner – as the only candidate to take over leading the party and become PM.

Mrs Leadsom said she did not have sufficient support among Conservative MPs to lead “a strong and stable government,” and gave her backing to the home secretary to succeed Cameron.

Mrs May had begun the day launching her leadership campaign to take to the party membership – and within the space of several hours found out she would be prime minister by Wednesday. Mrs May would now have to decide the make-up of her new cabinet.

According to the succession plan, after doing Prime Minister’s questions on Wednesday, Cameroon will officially tender his resignation to the Queen at Buckingham Palace and recommend she sends for Mrs May as his replacement. Mrs May will then go to Buckingham Palace to see the Queen and receive her invitation to form a government and should then be in place as UK prime minister by Wednesday evening.

As at yesterday, it remained unclear when the Cameron family would finally move out of No 10.

Again, The Conservatives Wins Australia's General Election

Australia’s ruling conservatives have been confirmed winners in last week’s general election, after opposition Labor leader Bill Shorten conceded.

Mr Shorten said it was clear PM Malcolm Turnbull’s coalition had won, adding that he had already congratulated him.

Votes are still being counted, but the government is expected to win just enough seats for a majority.

However, a strong swing against it has left doubts about its agenda and Mr Turnbull’s leadership.

The Liberal-National coalition still remains short of the 76 seats it needs to claim a majority in the lower house, the House of Representatives.

But it should secure at least 74, and also has the support of three independent and minor party politicians – Cathy McGowan, Andrew Wilkie and Bob Katter – guaranteeing budget supply and confidence.

Labor is currently on 66 seats, with five still in doubt.

“It is clear that Mr Turnbull and his coalition will form a government,” Mr Shorten said.

“So I have spoken to Mr Turnbull earlier this afternoon to congratulate him and [his wife] Lucy and to wish them my very best.”

bbc.com

Hong Kong Billionaire Offers $180m To Whoever Willing To Marry His Daughter

Zambezi Reporters - Hong Kong billionaire is giving $180,000,000 to any man willing to marry his daughter

Chinese businessman, Cecil Chao, made his billions developing luxury high rises in Hong Kong.

He is desperately seeking any man to try and woo his daughter into marrying him.

“He is known for making outlandish statements such as the time he was quoted by the Hong Kong media for saying he had bedded over 10,000 women in his lifetime.”

Most famous of all his public announcements was in 2012 when he offered $60,000,000 USD in the form of a “dowry” (which is a parental transfer of money or property) to whichever man could turn his daughter straight.

He came back in 2014 upping the ante to $120,000,000 USD. And now he’s back to say the bounty is now $180,000,000 to who ever can get the job done.

Hong Kong billionaire is giving $180,000,000 to any man willing to marry his daughter

The way I’m looking at it is like this I can get a non stop flight from Texas to Hong Kong on American Airlines for $1,561, or try Hong Kong’s own airline Cathay Pacific for $1,699. If I wanted to save a few bucks I saw some connecting flights on United and Delta Airlines for right around $1,000. That’s approximately 120,000 – 180,000 times your money. 

I don’t think anything in life really offered you that type of return on your investment, and if all else fails well I know I’ve spent $1,000 on dumber things before.

May the best man win!

Messi, Father Jailed For 21mnts Over Tax Fraud

Lionel Messi, the Barcelona superstar has been given a suspended term by a Spanish court, meaning he is expected to avoid spending time behind bars

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has been handed a 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud but is unlikely to serve time in prison.

Any sentence under two years can be suspended under Spanish law, meaning Messi is expected to avoid spending a day behind bars, according to widespread reports.

Messi, one of the world's highest-paid footballers, was tried alongside his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, for deceiving Spain's tax authority of €4.1 million (£3.19m) between 2007 and 2009.

The forward, who recently announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, has also been fined six weeks' wages worth £1.7 million.

The 29-year-old was accused of creating a number of fake companies in Belize and Uruguay to avoid taxation on his lucrative image rights.

Messi claimed he never suspected any wrongdoing about his financial affairs, but a court has found both he and his father guilty in the crime.

Jorge has also been given the same sentence and both can appeal through the Supreme Court

BREAKING: Cameron RESIGNS As British PM

UK Daily Mail: David Cameron resigned today after his devastating defeat in the EU referendum. 

The Prime Minister will stay in post into around October before a new Prime Minister is chosen to 'captain the ship' as the UK prepares for Brexit in a new dawn in its politics, he said.

Mr Cameron's voice broke as he spoke outside Downing Street this morning with his wife Samantha in tears next to him.

The Brexit campaign officially passed the winning post in the EU referendum at around 6am today, triggering a political earthquake and panic in the markets. 

Nigel Farage earlier declared it to be 'independence day' and a 'victory for real people' as the Leave campaign racked up votes across England and Wales - defying the verdict of London, Scotland and most of the big cities.

The Pound - which soared in value earlier after Nigel Farage admitted he thought Brexit had lost - has nose-dived against US dollar to its lowest level for 31 years. And more than £100billion was wiped off the FTSE 100 within minutes as markets opened on Friday as Britain's decision caused turmoil across global exchanges.

At Last UK Dumps European Union

The UK has voted by 52% to 48% to leave the European Union after 43 years in an historic referendum, a BBC forecast suggests.

London and Scotland voted strongly to stay in the EU but the remain vote has been undermined by poor results in the north of England.

Voters in Wales and the English shires have backed Brexit in large numbers.

The pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985 as the markets reacted to the results.

Referendum turnout was higher than at last year’s general election.

Labour’s Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the Bank of England may have to intervene to shore up the pound, which lost 3% within moments of the first result showing a strong result for Leave in Sunderland and fell as much as 6.5% against the euro.

‘Independence day’

UKIP leader Nigel Farage – who has campaigned for the past 20 years for Britain to leave the EU – told supporters “this will be a victory for ordinary people, for decent people”.

Mr Farage – who predicted a Remain win at the start of the night after polls suggested that would happen – said Thursday, 23 June would “go down in history as our independence day”.

He called on Prime Minister David Cameron, who called the referendum but campaigned passionately for a Remain vote, to quit “immediately”.

A Labour source said: “If we vote to leave, Cameron should seriously consider his position.”

But pro-Leave Conservatives including Boris Johnson and Michael Gove have signed a letter to Mr Cameron urging him to stay on whatever the result.

Labour former Europe Minister Keith Vaz told the BBC the British people had voted with their “emotions” and rejected the advice of experts who had warned about the economic impact of leaving the EU.

He added: “It will be catastrophic for our country, for the rest of Europe and for the rest of the world.”

Exit process

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that the EU vote “makes clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union” after all 32 local authority areas returned majorities for Remain.

Britain would be the first country to leave the EU since its formation – but a leave vote will not immediately mean Britain ceases to be a member of the 28-nation bloc.

That process could take a minimum of two years, with Leave campaigners suggesting during the referendum campaign that it should not be completed until 2020 – the date of the next scheduled general election.

The prime minister will have to decide when to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which would give the UK two years to negotiate its withdrawal.

Once Article 50 has been triggered a country can not rejoin without the consent of all member states.

Mr Cameron has previously said he would trigger Article 50 as soon as possible after a leave vote but Boris Johnson and Michael Gove who led the campaign to get Britain out of the EU have said he should not rush into it.

But they also said they want to make immediate changes before the UK actually leaves the EU, such as curbing the power of EU judges and limiting the free movement of workers, potentially in breach the UK’s treaty obligations.

The government will also have to negotiate its future trading relationship with the EU and fix trade deals with non-EU countries.

In Whitehall and Westminster, there will now begin the massive task of unstitching the UK from more than 40 years of EU law, deciding which directives and regulations to keep, amend or ditch.

The Leave campaign argued during a bitter four-month referendum campaign that the only way Britain could “take back control” of its own affairs would be to leave the EU.

Leave dismissed warnings from economists and international bodies about the economic impact of Brexit as “scaremongering” by a self-serving elite.

BBC

BREAKING: Lone Armed Man Attacks German Cinema, Many Injured

Fresh report according to British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC suggests that an armed man wearing a mask have opened fire at a cinema complex in western Germany.

German media report that at least 20 people have been injured in the attack in Viernheim, near Frankfurt.

They say the gunman is inside the complex and surrounded by armed police.

It is unclear whether he is alone or if he has taken hostages.

Developing story.... Details soon