One Nation PM: Theresa May Enters Downing Street Promising Unity

A new chapter begins at 10 Downing Street. PA/Stefan Rousseau

By Ben Williams, University of Salford

Having now started work as Britain’s second woman prime minister, Theresa May has the chance to carve out her own distinct variant of Conservatism. And outside the famous front door of 10 Downing Street, she confirmed that her top priority will be building a “one nation” government, pitched firmly in the “centre ground” of British politics.

Reminding the country that her party’s full title is the “Conservative and Unionist Party”, May spoke almost exclusively of unity before entering her new home. This was unity for the nations of the UK, in geographic terms, but also unity “between all of our citizens – every one of us – whoever we are and wherever we’re from”.

Theresa May Has Clout To Last As PM – If She Can Contain #Brexit Economic Fallout

Theresa May. Dominic Lipinski

By Matthew Francis, University of Birmingham

It has become popular to assume that Theresa May, Britain’s new prime minister, has survived the wreckage of Brexit by virtue of “not being a shambles”. The thinking seems to be that May sat back while her rivals for the Conservative Party leadership eliminated themselves one-by-one.

George Osborne was too closely associated with losing the Remain campaign to take the job, Boris Johnson and Michael Gove destroyed each other with political treachery, and Andrea Leadsom ended her chances through pure self-immolation. It’s a persuasive argument, but it is far from the full picture.

"Trump in Space" Event a Rousing Success From Liftoff to Touchdown

This is shortly after launch, above Suwanee, Georgia. (PRNewsFoto/Bobbleheads.com)

This really was a space odyssey for one presidential candidate bobblehead. 

A bobblehead of Donald Trump, standing on a podium flanked by American flags, was attached to a high altitude weather balloon. The bobblehead was trimmed for weight and carried three GPS trackers and a camera to record the momentous event.  

#Brexit: Heal Not Hate

Image via Avaaz.org

Britain’s far-right extremists and the media that echoes their hate are using the Brexit vote as proof that half the country agrees with their racism -- and it’s causing a terrifying rise in harassment across the country. 

>> Join the call to show them that the United Kingdom still values love over hate << 

Great news! Over 93,000 of us have joined, sign and share now -- let’s get to 100,000 and demand editors that fan hate are removed.

#Brexit: Why UK Could Be Doomed To Years Without Proper Access To World Trade

Uh-oh. Phoenixman

By Kristen Hopewell, University of Edinburgh and Matias E. Margulis, University of Stirling

While most discussion since the Brexit vote has focused on how the UK will negotiate the terms of its new trading relationship with the EU, much less has been said about the rest of the world.

Brexiters have tended to believe that the UK could continue to enjoy the access to foreign markets that it currently receives through the EU’s trade agreements with over 50 countries; and that for other markets it would simply resume independent membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the body through which 162 states set the rules for world trade.
In fact, this is highly uncertain. It will require a long and complex process of negotiation, for which the UK is under-prepared and has little leverage.