AS MAY BOWS OUT IN MAY
by Trek Africa Newspaper Editorial
Theresa May
Early morning of Friday 24th May, the world woke to the breaking news of Theresa May announcing her resignation of her leadership of the Conservative Party, nay her premiership of the United Kingdom. Only the second female to attain the exalted office in Britain after ‘the Iron Lady’ Margaret Thatcher, Mrs. May rode on so much promise, especially to lead the country out of the European Union after the 2016 Brexit referendum undertaken by her predecessor, David Cameron, but that was not to be!
Standing in front of 10 Downing Street, the teary-eyed Theresa stated: ‘Ever since I first stepped through the door behind me as Prime Minister, I have striven to make the United Kingdom a country that works not just for a privileged few, but for everyone. And to honour the result of the EU referendum. Back in 2016, we gave the British people a choice. Against all predictions, the British people voted to leave the European Union. I feel as certain today as I did three years ago that in a democracy, if you give people a choice you have a duty to implement what they decide. I have done my best to do that. I negotiated the terms of our exit and a new relationship with our closest neighbours that protects jobs, our security and our Union. I have done everything I can to convince MPs to back that deal. Sadly, I have not been able to do so. I tried three times. I believe it was right to persevere, even when the odds against success seemed high. But it is now clear to me that it is in the best interests of the country for a new Prime Minister to lead that effort’.
Many Britons have argued that they do not just want her departure, they are also demanding that no Tory succeeds her. It is believed that the party leadership and its machineries have plunged the British Crown into confusion. But other watchers fear that successors from other parties may even be worse off. They observed that the pervading condition in Britain requires more than just the action of one man or woman holding a position. They believe that the task is incumbent on the collective will of the people.
Bringing the narrative home, what’s in all this for Africa?Post-June 7 when Mrs. May’s resignation takes effect, what will happen to Africans based in UK? What becomes of the aspiration of Africans who intend to make UK their new home? How will the policies and programmes of Britain under a new prime minister affect Africa? The coming days will unfold.
Till then, Prime Minister May deserve best wishes in her future endeavors to the service of the Crown and the international community.
