Milkshakes, elections, resignations, leadership speculation
Theresa May announces departure date
On Friday Theresa May announced her departure date for the 7th June when she will step down as prime minister. In what can only be described as an emotional farewell speech Theresa May said “I will shortly leave the job that it has been the honour of my life to hold. The second female prime minister but certainly not the last. I do so with no ill will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love.”
European Parliament election
On Thursday the United Kingdom took part in the European Parliament election and although the result won’t be announced till Sunday it’s expected that both the Conservative and Labour Party will not return any MEP candidates in Scotland.
Andrea Leadsom resigns from Government
On the night before the European Parliament election, Andrea Leadsom resigned from the government as Leader of the House saying she no longer believes that the government can deliver Brexit. In what many will perceive as the firing pistol for a leadership challenge, Ms Leadsom was critical over the governments handling and inability to deliver Brexit arguing that she did not believe “the UK would be a truly sovereign United Kingdom through the deal that is now proposed"
Ruth Davidson says she can work with Boris Johnson as leader of Conservative Party
On Wednesday, The Scotsman reported that Ruth Davidson, Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party said she would be willing to work with Boris Johnson if he becomes the next leader of the Conservative Party. Johnson who is seen as the front runner to replace Theresa May announced his intention to stand as a leadership candidate last week, but in the words of Tory stalwart, Ken Clark MP “historically the Tory front runner usually never wins the leadership contest.”
Milkshake Monday
On Monday, Nigel Farage, Leader of Brexit Party attended a rally in Newcastle which ended in a milkshake being thrown at him. Milkshake aside, the Brexit Party is predicted to make significant gains in the European Parliament election.
Hancock’s half hour
Matt Hancock announced on Saturday that he intends to stand in the forthcoming Conservative Party leadership contest. At a dinner with four cabinet ministers and party donors, Mr Hancock said that he is the candidate that can take the party into the next general election and win.