It was meant to be the speech that rescued Theresa May’s premiership, but her public humiliation before the assembled Conservative Party has thrust her own future into doubt.
And, just as she tries to revive Brexit talks.
May’s authority was already shattered by her botched bet on a June snap election that lost her party its majority in parliament just days before the opening of formal Brexit talks with the European Union.
But her survival has been dependent on the absence of an obvious successor who could unite the split party around Brexit and fear of an election that many Conservatives think would let opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn into power.
“I don’t think anybody wants May to stay because they particularly want her as PM: I think lots of people want her to stay because the time is not yet right for what they want to happen next,” said Anand Menon, professor of European politics at King’s College London, who attended the party conference.
“All they are talking about behind the scenes is whether she stays or goes, and that is a massive distraction as the UK faces this unprecedented challenge of Brexit.” (Graphics on ‘Tracking the Brexit effect’ – here)
Even after the speech, there is no obvious successor because of rivalries and divisions. Those most often mentioned, however, are ministers Boris Johnson, foreign affairs; Philip Hammond, finance; Amber Rudd, interior; and David Davis, Brexit.
But as Conservative lawmakers decide whether to proceed with May, Britain has just over one year to negotiate the terms of the EU divorce and the outlines of the future relationship. It is due to leave in late March 2019.
If May stays, Brexit talks will be guided by one of the weakest leaders in recent British history. But if May goes, Britain would be thrust into another political crisis while the clock ticks down to Brexit.
Many business leaders — in Britain and the EU — now fear a disorderly exit that would imperil Britain’s $2.5 trillion economy, shock global financial markets and undermine London’s position as the only financial centre to rival New York.
“Yesterday was humiliating for May,” said one EU diplomat. “The whole country, the public mood in Britain is completely from a different planet. The whole island took off and is orbiting in their own galaxy. How can you turn this around?”
In one of the most bizarre British political speeches in a generation, May speech to her annual conference was ruined by a comedian handing her a bogus employment termination letter “signed” rival Johnson, by repeated coughing fits and even by letters falling off the slogans on the set behind her.
May battled on to finish the speech and was greeted by applause in the hall and a hug from her own husband, Philip, who bounded onto the stage to embrace her.
Immediately after the speech, her spokesman said she was happy with the way it had gone. But the British media were less enthusiastic.
“May on the final warning after speech shambles,” The Times front page headline said. The Guardian said: “Coughing and spluttering – May’s British dream turns into nightmare”, while the i said: “Last gasp”.