I’m not abandoning Thatcherism, May says
The latest Tory manifesto has been seen as a clear break from the Iron Lady’s doctrine of rolling back the state and freeing up the private sector, but the British PM insists that is quintessentially Conservative
ast week, when the Tory manifesto was revealed, commentators scrambled to declare it a new doctrine — “Mayism” — made in the image of the prime minister. Gone was the supposed previous commitment to “untrammelled free markets” and “selfish individualism”, replaced by a more assertive state.
Most political leaders would be flattered to have an “ism” named after them, a title that suggests a coherent ideology and clear vision. Yet no sooner had the idea been floated than its creator stepped in to end the excitement.
“There is no Mayism,” the prime minister said. “There is good, solid Conservatism.” Speaking to in her first full interview since the manifesto launch, May explained her disapproval of the phrase as she campaigned in Scotland.
“I’ve always been a Conservative, and what we are doing is in the mainstream of political thinking in this country,” she says from the back of the Tory battle bus. “Now, I do approach things in a different way — in the sense that my thinking on every job I do is just get in there, do the best I can and get on with it.”
The explanation may not be enough for some, who see May as ripping up Margaret Thatcher’s rule book of rolling back the state and freeing up the private sector. Critics see May’s proposals for an energy price cap and published pay ratios for big firms as a clear break from the Iron Lady’s economics.
Yet asked whether she is abandoning Thatcherism, May is categorical: “No, I’m not. I was asked that on Thursday, and I said: ‘Margaret Thatcher was a Conservative, I’m a Conservative, this is a Conservative manifesto’. And that’s the important thing. It’s a manifesto which is based on Conservative values and principles. We are the party that believes in low taxation, recognises the importance of the strength of the economy — and that does mean ensuring business is supported. But we also recognise that what we want to see is responsible business.”
Discussing what she admired of Thatcher during the ’80s, May — who had left university and was increasingly politically engaged at the time — picks out her patriotism. “She was somebody who was doing what was right in the national interest. That was the crucial thing, she was turning this country around,” the prime minister says.
Turning to policies in the manifesto, May plays down a threat to private schools of being stripped of their tax status without doing more to support the state sector.
“Yes, we’ve put that option into the manifesto, but actually I am confident that we will see the independent sector responding,” she says. “This was one of the proposals we had in our Green Paper on greater diversity in schools and the independent sector is already starting to respond positively to that. So I’m sure we’re going to be able to work with them.”
Lifting the ban on new grammar schools — one of May’s first policy announcements — is also mentioned as she outlines her plans for state education.
Tackling extremism
Yet numbers are less forthcoming. The prime minister twice declines to say how many new grammars she wants by 2022, preferring to support a grass-roots approach. “I’m not going to put a figure on it because what I want to see is what is going to work in any particular area. This is partly every local community feeling what is right [for them],” she says.
One reference in the Tory manifesto somewhat overlooked so far is a promise to launch an “integration strategy” and create a “commission for countering extremism” to boost social cohesion. It is a topic close to May’s heart, dating back to her six years at the Home Office that saw the launch of a counter-extremism strategy for the UK as Daesh (the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) emerged abroad. Teaching more people to speak English is key, the prime minister says.
May wants to make sure there are “no artificial barriers being put up to people being able fully to feel that they are part of their local community”. She continues: “Obviously the ability to speak English is an important part of that, because if you don’t speak English well, you will be less likely to be able to participate in general things that other people do, like speaking to your GP and speaking to your children’s teachers.”
Boosting the number of language courses on offer, encouraging imams to preach in English and focusing especially on women, to improve their chances of getting work, are all picked out.
To the outside observer, May seems to have adapted to life in the prime minister’s chair with ease, taking over from David Cameron last July after the upheaval of the Brexit vote. The gym on Saturday and church on Sunday remain “untouchable” routines in May’s weekly diary, according to those around her.
Yet asked whether some pastimes have had to go after moving into No 10, the prime minister appears to play down the difference from her Home Office days. “Well, obviously it’s a full-on job in terms of the amount of time it takes. It is a job like no other,” she says. “But I take the same view about everything I do, which is whatever I’m doing, whatever the circumstances, I just get on with it and get on and do the best I can.”
May, daughter of a vicar, also describes how faith has helped her through the 10 months since she took the job. “Yes, I do pray, but I don’t go into details about how often and so forth. I’m a regular practising member of the Church of England,” she says. Asked whether religion ever plays a part in her political decision-making, May responds: “I think if you are a person of faith, then faith underpins how you approach life.” Ben Riley-Smith is assistant political editor.