Former Prime Minister Theresa May used a recent speech to warn against rising populism, criticised the inclusion of Nigel Farage in the Conservative Party, and reaffirmed her commitment to human rights as she prepares to step down. Here’s the full story.
Stern Warning
Former Prime Minister Theresa May has issued a stern warning about the dangers of populism and authoritarianism, which she sees as seeping like a rot into British politics.
Authoritarian Populism
Speaking at the Parliamentary Press Gallery lunch, May used her speech to tackle a series of topics which have apparently been weighing heavily on her mind, including her stark warning about the dangers of authoritarian populism, her worries over the UK’s respect for international law, and a scathing critique of her successors in the Prime Minister’s office.
Denouncing Farage
However, May saved a great deal of her speech to denounce the idea, floated by Jacob Rees-Mogg, that Nigel Farage and others in Reform UK should be welcomed with open arms into the Conservative Party.
Idea Floated
May explicitly rejected the idea of Nigel Farage and Richard Tice, leader of Reform UK, joining the Conservative frontbench in a broadside at the pair that might have come as quite a shock to Rees-Mogg, who suggested the idea on his GB News Show.
“Reunite the Right”
Rees-Mogg had recommended an “open and comprehensive offer” to “reunite the Right,” as the Conservatives are trailing miserably in the polls.
Reform on 10%
Despite Reform UK sitting on 10% of the vote in a recent poll, the first-past-the-post electoral system means they are unlikely to win any seats.
“Not a Million Miles Away”
Rees-Mogg stated, “We had this in 2010 to the Liberals who were hardly our soulmates. But most members of Reform are not a million miles away from most Conservative voters and members, politically.”
“The One and Only Nigel Farage”
He continued, “So the Prime Minister must offer candidate selection to senior members of the Reform Party such as the estimable Ben Habib, Richard Tice and of course, the one and only Nigel Farage.”
“They Are in a Different Party”
When May was questioned about this tactic, she rejected it, stating, “I disagree with Jacob on that, I absolutely disagree with Jacob on that. I don’t think Nigel Farage is a Conservative, I don’t think Richard Tice is a Conservative. They are in a different party and that is it.”
“Not Tony Blair”
May suggested that, despite the Conservative party’s dire position in current polls, she was still optimistic about the party’s electoral prospects. May was able to explain her optimistic view with one key factor: “Keir Starmer is not Tony Blair.”
“Look What Happened to That”
May also drew upon her experience of the near-disastrous election results for the Conservatives in the snap election in 2017, stating, “We have seen one or two unexpected election results in recent years and I think I was 20 points ahead, the Conservatives were 20 points ahead in most of the election campaign for the 2017 election, and look what happened to that.”
“Current Affairs”
May also used her speech to mock her successors, suggesting that Liz Truss’s book, which has spectacularly failed to sell, should be placed in the fantasy section of any bookshop it is in. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson’s should be categorised under “current affairs.”
Conservative Direction
Despite her joking jabs at the leaders that followed in her footsteps, May also levelled severe criticisms regarding the direction of the current Conservative Party and the choices of current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
European Convention on Human Rights
While Rishi Sunak continues to openly muse about leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which he sees as hindering his illegal Rwanda deportation plan, May used her speech to reaffirm her commitment to the ECHR.
“Row Back”
May stated, “Sadly we have shown as a country a willingness to row back sometimes on certain aspects of international law. I think we should stay in something that we helped to create in the first place.”
Suspicious Silence
Many Conservatives were unusually quiet in response to May’s speech, with few rushing to defend their time in government or the suggestion that Nigel Farage and others from Reform UK should be accepted into the Conservative party and offered front bench positions.
“It’s Not Going to Happen”
However, Nigel Farage was quick to dismiss suggestions that he may be admitted to the Conservative party, stating, “It’s not going to happen. Rishi is not bold; he has no leadership whatsoever.”
27-Year Career
As May prepares to stand down at the next election, she used this most recent speech to reflect on her 27-year parliamentary career and warn the Conservatives about the current path that the party has conspired to take.
Warnings Ignored
While May’s recent remarks convey a stark warning to the Conservatives, it is doubtful that the party, riven with factionalism and increasingly nervous as the election draws nearer, can or will heed her warnings.
Cursed With Prophecy
Despite her long tenure in Parliament, May is doomed to be like the mythological Cassandra, fated to foresee the future accurately but unable to make anyone believe in her prophecies. What this will mean for the modern Conservative Party remains to be seen.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Alexandros Michailidis.