Things you must know about next British PM, Theresa May

Theresa May is all set to take over the British Prime Minister’s office after David Cameron resigned in the aftermath of the Brexit vote, referendum held on June 23 this year to decide whether United Kingdom will remain or exit European Union. May will be the first female Prime Minister of United Kingdom since Margret Thatcher, who was elected in 1979 and stepped down 1990. According to reports, her new cabinet will have majority women ministers. 

Charged with the burden of negotiating Britain’s exit from the European Union over next two years, May is known for her strong anti-immigration stand, although she supported the remain camp during Brexit vote. 

Born in October 1959 in Sussex, Theresa May mostly attended State school and has a degree from Oxford University in geography. Before entering politics, May worked at the Bank of England from 1985 until 1997. 

After unsuccessful attempts to be elected to the House of Commons in 1992 and 1994, she was elected MP for Maidenhead in the 1997 general election. May has served in the Shadow Cabinets of William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Howard and David Cameron, including Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary. She was also the Chairman of the Conservative Party from 2002 until 2003. 

Since 2010, May has also held the portfolio of Home Office, making her the U.K.’s longest-serving home secretary in more than a century. 

May was appointed Leader of the Conservative Party on July 11, 2016, after her competitor Andrea Leadsom pulled out of race. According to British Parliamentary system, Leader of Conservative Party automatically becomes Prime Minister without the need of a re-election in case the serving PM vacates the post, through resignation or death. Theresa May is set to become Prime Minister after a meeting with Queen Elizabeth on July 13, 2016.