Theresa May will become the next UK Prime Minister, but will EU BREXIT take place?

Home Secretary Theresa May will become the next UK Prime Minister, replacing David Cameron who will officially resign on Wednesday, after her leadership rival Andrea Leadsom stepped down from the contest on Monday. There will be no drawn-out leadership election and May will move into Number 10 Downing Street this week.

Cameron, who was expected to stay on until the Autumn, will chair his last cabinet meeting today and, in line with British tradition and constitution, visit the Queen (Head of State) on Wednesday to tender his resignation.

He looks like a man who will be pleased to hand over the reins and get on with his life and young family. He will remain an MP in Oxfordshire and could take on other roles within the new government, although most former Prime Ministers tend to be gracefully retreat into the background to give the new leader space.

As Home Office boss since 2010, Theresa May oversaw David Cameron's plan to reduce net migration to the "tens of thousands" before the end of the last Parliament. The BBC claim she did not agree with the policy which saw thousands of private colleges closed down and abolition number of schemes including post study work visa, which attracted foreign students to come to the UK to study.  

The plan failed, partly due to uncontrolled EU migration, and year net migration topped 330,000. The Conservative government has reduced new non-EU immigration, for instance by capping work permits and reducing the number of visa appeals allowed, but it will take a number of years for these policies to bear fruit. In the meantime, family migration - linked to migrants already in the UK - will continue to boom for the next few years even if we leave the EU.

BBC Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said that May had a vice-like grip on the huge department cover immigration, UK borders, policing and counter-terrorism, and developed a deep understanding of the issues. Having met her after a speech at a small gathering, I can attest that she handled tough questions with ease and knew her subject inside out.

“BREXIT means BREXIT” - Theresa May

In her first public speech as PM elect yesterday, Mrs May said she would build a better Britain and make us stronger together. She also promised implement the BREXIT plans to leave the European Union and make a success of it. She would appear to be ruling out any chance of a second referendum despite being a ‘remain’ campaigner before the historic vote where 17 million people voted out and 16 million voted to stay in the EU. 

There are no plans to reverse BREXIT (Britain's exit) and the actual process will take place after a Parliamentary vote to invoke 'Article 50' and start the complex divorce negotiations to quit the EU. 

There is no change to the status of EU Nationals living in the UK at the moment and life goes on for everyone as we all deal with our own 'economy'.

Contrary to 'doom and gloom' predictions, life is getting back to normal with the Stock Market at higher pre-referendum levels, John Lewis reporting an bounce-back in sales and foreign property investor enquiries soaring with the benefit of a cheaper Pound - which has also helped tourist numbers leap. Siemens, the German industrial giant, has announced that it will stay in the UK and invest more money.      

At the time of writing, there has been no announcement on who will take over as Home Secretary, as she will now be in charge of appointing her successor or reshuffling the cabinet. 

Theresa May, who rose from humble beginnings as the daughter of a Vicar and served as a Councillor and Party Chairman, is seen as the steady pair of hands needed to guide the country through the challenging times ahead. She lasted longer in the Home Office – traditionally seen as a graveyard post – than any Home Secretary in modern times and is a ‘no nonsense’ leader who “gets on with the job”.

For further information on the status of EU Nationals in the UK following the BREXIT vote see the UK Government/UK Gov website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-the-status-of-eu-nationals-in-the-uk