The rise and rise of the unstoppable Theresa May
Strategic election likely to hand prime minster a major victory and strong mandate on Brexit
A Conservative prime minister rolls the dice again. Former prime minister David Cameron gambled twice during his tenure at Downing Street. The first gamble - the Scottish referendum - paid off. By the second roll - the EU referendum - his luck had run out. Despite Cameron's efforts to renegotiate the UK's EU membership and campaign for Remain, Britain voted for Brexit. Cameron resigned within a few hours of the result. Now his successor, Theresa May, has picked up the dice again. By calling a snap general election, May hopes to strengthen her party's grip on the UK's Brexit strategy as she heads into negotiations with the EU. Sitting prime ministers call early elections only when they are sure they can strengthen their majority. May has timed the decision well. Conservative support is at a post-2015 election high. With just seven weeks to prepare for the vote, the surprise announcement caught opposition parties on the back foot. The Conservatives, meanwhile, can campaign on the back...
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