She was announced as new leader of the Conservative Party on Monday when her rival, Andrea Leadsom, pulled out of the race saying "business needs certainty, a strong and unified government". Mrs Leadsom added: "Theresa May has the support of 60% of the parliamentary party... she is perfectly placed to lead the country in Brexit talks, as she has promised to do."
David Cameron has said he will stand down as Prime Minister after Prime Minister's Questions, with Mrs May taking over later that day.
This news came as a surprise as the expectation was that the Conservative leadership results wouldn't be announced until September. However a raft of negative headlines over the weekend for Andrea Leadsom caused her to re-evaluate her leadership bid.
Mrs May will now be under pressure to announce when she will invoke Article 50 and begin negotiations to take the UK out of the European Union. Having campaigned to remain in the EU there will be lots of scrutiny from the Eurosceptic side of her party to make sure she keeps her promise. She has told journalists throughout her leadership campaign that "Brexit means Brexit".
Parliamentary Career
- Prime Minister 2016-
- Home Secretary 2010-16
- Minister for Women & Equalities 2010-12
- Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions 2009-10
- Shadow Minister for Women & Equality 2007-10
- Shadow Leader of the House of Commons 2005-09
- Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport 2005
- Shadow Secretary of State for the Family 2004-05
- Shadow Secretary of State for Environment & Transport 2003-04
- Chairman of the Conservative Party 2002-03
- Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government & the Regions 2001-02
- Shadow Secretary of State for Education & Employment 1999-2001
- MP for Maidenhead 1997-