A tearful Theresa May resigns, to officially stand down in June 7
By Samuel Abuya
A tearful UK Prime Minister Theresa May bowed to the inevitable today and announced her resignation in an emotional address to the nation that was watched by her husband Philip saying holding the position was the ‘honor of her life’.
While standing in a sunlit Downing Street from where she made her speech, Theresa May said she will formally call it a day on June 7 and stand down from the position of the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister once her successor is chosen. It is expected that the process of getting her successor may run into mid or late June.
“I will shortly leave the job that it has been the honor of my life to hold. The second female prime minister, but certainly not the last. I do so with no ill will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love,” she said in a voice breaking with emotions.
After her address, Theresa May turned around and walked into 10 Downing Street, in what many are now calling “to plan her own exit”.
May’s address comes after a meeting with the 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady who delivered a message from the Tory members of parliament, who are expected to choose the new PM, saying her time in office was already up.
The now former UK PM said she had done ‘everything she could’ to deliver the Brexit but the move was frustrated because she couldn’t get the much needed support. According to her, it was and, still, is in the “best interests of the country for a new prime minister to lead that effort”.
“So I am today announcing that I will resign as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party on Friday 7th June so that a successor can be chosen,” she said.
Theresa May, however, quickly warned her would-be successor that in order to deliver the Brexit agenda, they’ll have to build consensus in parliament.
“It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret that I have not been able to deliver Brexit. It will be for my successor to seek a way forward that honours the result of the referendum,” she said.
“To succeed, he or she will have to find consensus in Parliament where I have not. Such a consensus can only be reached if those on all sides of the debate are willing to compromise,” she added.
On an optimistic point, May talked of how the country’s politics maybe under strain but insisted of how much there is to be proud of the UK.
Africa Global News Publication
