May, weaker by the day
British PM rapidly losing respect and influence in her country and party; Boris Johnson openly defies her, offering total protection for EU residents
Theresa May’s hold on her position is becoming weaker day-by-day. Leaks made in the German press last week of the British PM imploring the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, at a private dinner, to help her, have simply made things worse. Although Juncker denied the rumour and said that “this is not the style of British Prime Ministers”, the damage was done.
May is increasingly discredited within her own party and in the UK, where her popularity has plummeted, especially after losing the majority in Westminster in June. Her decision to call early elections to further extend her majority in Parliament to have a stronger position in the Brexit negotiations backfired as the Labour Party bounced back unexpectedly. Latest polls say that May’s approval is now only 34% compared to the 44% of Labour rival Jeremy Corbyn, the lowest level of popularity for a PM since 1976.
May’s main problem is the internal division within her party and her government between those favouring a tough line in Brexit and others, the so-called soft-line, a split which has become more evident since the elections when pro-EU tories gained ground.
May’s obvious enemy within the party is the Foreign Minister, Boris Johnson, who this week promised what May has not been able to in her 15 months of government: to unilaterally guarantee the rights of Europeans living in the UK. Outside the party, Corbyn continues to gain ground and the credibility he did not have before the June elections.
Despite some movement with EU negotiators in the trade talks, the future for Theresa May does not look bright.