When the UK voted in referendum
to leave the European Union in 2016, it led to a new Leadership Election of the
ruling Conservative Party following the resignation of then-Prime Minister
David Cameron, who was opposed to the “Brexit” initiative. Public support for
her was high from those who voted to leave, and she promised a withdrawal from
the EU that would be a compromise that would benefit the UK and not adversely affect
the EU.
Unfortunately conflicting ideas
on the means of Brexit led to successive defeats for May’s negotiated
withdrawal strategies with the 2019 deadline. She eventually announced her
resignation in May, and on her last speech as Prime Minister, delivered her
critique on the global political trends that led to this quagmire.
As BBC tells it, outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May gave a speech
on Wednesday, July 17, in the Royal Institute of International Affairs at
Chatham House in London, that bespoke of her worries for the prominent
political trends around the world, which in her view has contributed to her
failure to deliver a negotiated exit for the UK from the European Union. She
particularly called out “populist” and “absolutist” politicians, whom she says
are detrimental to pursuing political compromise.
May also expressed concerns that the
prevailing political culture that puts over-emphasis on “winners and losers”
that spur all political viewpoints to irreconcilable extremes. She warns
against such polarized extremism saying, "The spirit of compromise in the
common interest is also crucial in meeting some of the greatest global
challenges of our time." The lack of desire to meet in the middle, she
notes, is what caused political factions to sabotage her negotiated Brexit
proposals due to a desire for a “winner-take-all” approach such as the push for
a “no-deal” Brexit that would see the UK leave the EU in 2019 without any new
arrangements.
The perceived targets of Theresa
May’s final definitive statement as Prime Minister are varied. Without naming
names she has implicated her potential ministerial successor Boris Johnson, a
major opponent of her negotiated Brexit approach. It could also point to
Russian President Vladimir Putin who has cryptically forecast the death of
liberalism. Even US President Donald Trump is referenced, with May’s opinion
that the only “viable” political approach nowadays is to disagree with
opponents and simultaneously demeaning their position. Trump had insulted four
Democratic members of Congress from ethnic minorities, calling them to “go home
to their countries,” a call echoed by his extremely vocal supporters.
May announced her stepping down
as Conservative/Tory Leader, and thus the Prime Ministry, last May 24. Her
resignation will take effect when a replacement Leader is elected by next week.
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