May’s election call to push through Brexit

THERESA MAY’S wish to stay Prime Minister after the next election has been widely misinterpreted by Westminster observers, who claim her decision means she could still be in No 10 in 2024.

But I am convinced she aims to stay as PM only until 2021. I understand Mrs May has confided to advisers that she may call the next election in 2019.

This fits with her realisation that a Brexit deal will have to be put before Parliament. If all goes to plan, a big Tory majority will push it through the Commons. She would then step down around 2021.

FORMER Downing Street director of communications Sir Craig Oliver condemned Theresa May for saying she plans to stay on. This is the same man who allowed David Cameron to pre-announce his intention to step down as Tory leader — resulting in Cameron becoming a lame-duck prime minister and months of jockeying among ministers to position themselves as his successor.