I'm Amazed Theresa May Wasn't Evicted From 10 Downing Street Sooner

Consider what I wrote when Theresa May succeeded David Cameron as British Prime Minister in July 2016:


Of course, the main task for May is now she will set the terms for negotiating Brexit. May was a Remain supporter, but a rather tepid one. So it won't be much of a leap for May to become a staunch Leave advocate as it will be what cements her legacy. Should she be able to negotiate good terms for Britain, May could win three majority governments like Margaret Thatcher. But if May stumbles, it will give Labour an opening it hasn't had since the start of the decade.


Needless to say, the past three years have been tumultuous for Theresa May. She was unable to negotiate good terms for Britain and has been a dead woman walking for some time now. I'm honestly amazed she lasted as long as she did. There were a number of times I thought she was done, but she managed to escape from the precipice of the pit. But the chimes of Big Ben stop for no one.
May tearfully announced this morning she will step down as leader of the Conservative Party on June 7th and then leave 10 Downing Street after the Tories select a new leader by the end of July.

Few are lamenting May's departure. Former Labour MP Glenda Jackson has been probably been kinder to May on Brexit than any sitting Conservative MP. For all her shortcomings, could anyone else have done any better given the circumstances?


Which brings me to Boris Johnson, the odds on favorite to succeed May. Suppose the Tories had chosen the former London Mayor three years ago. Who can say he wouldn't have given the same resignation speech with May waiting in the wings?


Johnson has long favored a hard Brexit which would mean not only does Britain leave the EU, but leaves the single market and customs union. While this would give Leavers the sovereignty they seek it will also mean a decline in the pound and tariffs with the EU. Sure Britain could negotiate its own trade deals they are likely to find dealing with the WTO every bit as infuriating as dealing with Brussels. It wouldn't surprise me if Johnson takes a hard look at hard Brexit after he enters 10 Downing. With that said, he might not soften his approach that much with Nigel Farage and the Brexit Party taking the hardest of hardlines.


But if Johnson is no more successful than May, the UK's greatest danger will be Jeremy Corbyn. Despite the Labour Party being mired in a cesspool of anti-Semitism under his leadership, recent polls have put his party in the lead. The polls are volatile. Labour's lead has been between 1 and 10 points. For all the Tories' numerous faults, the fact that British voters are seriously considering sending Corbyn to 10 Downing Street must send a shudder through Britain's Jewish community. In which case, Brexit could turn into Jewxit. The triumvirate of Johnson, Farage and Corbyn could very well make Britons long for May.