THE resignation of British Prime Minister Theresa May is a matter of deep regret. On May 24, standing in front of No. 10, Downing Street, London, she begrudgingly announced with tears and disappointment, that she will step down as the Conservative Party leader on June 7. Her emotional departure has left behind a divided Britain and an unresolved Brexit.
Implementing Brexit is undoubtedly a difficult task. May held the top job at a critical time in British politics and she had done her best in delivering a Brexit in which she fervently believes will not risk jeopardising the economy, jobs and security of her country and her people. I have no doubt of her steadfastness and commitment towards delivering Brexit since she assumed premiership in 2016.
However, politics is a cruel business. Her deal did not get through the House of Commons and a majority of the members of parliament, including those of her own party, did not support her. It failed three times and resignation was her only option. Brexit has brought down a second British prime minister.
So, what is the way forward for the country post-Theresa May? Britain is now facing a crisis in the absence of an effective leadership. The clock is still ticking and yet, a withdrawal agreement has yet to be agreed by the Parliament. A leadership contest will ensue within the Conservative Party and a new leader will step up to succeed May as the next prime minister in due course. The challenges facing the new leadership remains the same. Controversial causes, such as the Irish “Backstop” and the temporary European Union-United Kingdom custom arrangement in the withdrawal agreement, will be among the main issues that require creativity and flexibility of the new leader to resolve.
The new British government must be able to adapt to this precarious circumstance and work out the best solution that honours the referendum result while bridging the political divide across different political parties.
I hope the next British leader can persevere through Brexit and, hopefully, avoid the same mistakes that his or her predecessor made and deliver an orderly exit for Britain in the upcoming months.
May the Force be with Britain.
TAN CHEE YONG
Kuala Lumpur