May’s U-turn could be worth the risk

Britain is still hurting from Brexit though many won’t admit it. Its relationship with Europe is under strain and a sweet deal with EU is far from certain. Last year’s referendum sent former British Prime Minister David Cameron packing after he bet his future on the result which he lost because a majority, a slim majority of Britons wanted out. Brexit is now making the legislative business difficult for his successor Theresa May who has decided to call snap polls barely a year into her tenure. Political pundits should have seen it coming, but May is prone to guessing games, so you can’t blame them for not reading the signs emanating from 10 Downing Street. To May’s credit, she has been a quiet learner on the job and took her opponents up the garden path when she said earlier that she did not plan to hold elections before 2020. What changed her mind all of a sudden? A U-turn, as the media called it. She knows the main Opposition Labour party is in disarray under Jeremy Corbyn, who still views himself as more of a activist, a sole survivor of sorts, which is only distancing people in his party and distracting them from issues confronting the people. His connect with the voting masses is suspect and some of his plans appear regressive and not in tune with the new world order.

May wants a smooth exit from Europe, no hard feelings, but she hopes to strike a grand bargain for London. For that to happen, she must emerge as the unquestionable leader of her Conservative party. Only a clear victory in the fresh polls will give her the edge to shape the destiny of her country free from Europe, the PM believes. A stronger government in Westminster will not be seen as weak during negotiations with the European Union over the next two years if May pulls off a poll win on June 8. She wants stability, to be in control when she leads discussions with the bosses in Brussels. It’s a gamble, but it could be worth the risk because of the element of surprise from May that has caught her foes and even some members of her party unawares. On paper, May has the makings of a great prime minister. Voters, however, could spring a surprise. Ask Cameron.