Six months in, she’s proving a fine PM
AS a rule, she doesn’t give much away about her thoughts. But when Theresa May does have something to say, it makes compelling listening.
Indeed, this has been an impressive fortnight for the Prime Minister, with two speeches of historic importance, both full of substance and good sense.
And to crown it all came yesterday’s encouraging talks with Donald Trump, who hailed a ‘fantastic relationship’.
In the first of her momentous speeches, Mrs May last week outlined her vision for Brexit, with a straightforwardness and clarity that left her critics floundering.
This week, addressing Republicans in Philadelphia, she set out her political philosophy and ideas about Britain’s relationship with the US and wider world.
In doing so, it is no exaggeration to say she signalled the end of a grim era for the West. For she brought down the curtain on two disastrous decades of Anglo-American intervention in foreign wars, whose legacy has been the rise of Islamist terrorism and the biggest mass migrations in peacetime history.
British Conservatives, she said, shared the principles of US Republicans: ‘The value of liberty, the dignity of work, the principles of nationhood, family, economic prudence, patriotism – and putting power in the hands of the people.’
But in a hugely significant passage, she added: ‘The days of Britain and America intervening in sovereign countries in an attempt to remake the world in our own image are over.’
Yes, we should intervene when the threat to our interests is real, and we should stand by our friends and allies. But wherever possible, Western values should triumph by example, not force of arms. As for those who accuse Mrs May of crawling to Mr Trump, they are a long way wide of the mark.
True, she has shown politeness fitting for a guest – and the friendship due to our most powerful ally and biggest trading partner among individual nations.
But she has not shrunk from telling the new President home truths, warning him to be wary of Vladimir Putin, speaking up for Nato and free trade and emphatically rejecting bigotry and torture.
Of course, there’s a limit to how much can be achieved in a short visit. But on the evidence of yesterday’s press conference, Mrs May’s message on both torture and Nato appears to have got through, while the prospects for a trade deal seem set fair.
An odd couple they may be, the vicar’s daughter and the brash billionaire. But there is good reason for quiet optimism that their partnership will be highly successful – particularly for trade – to the great benefit of both our countries.
For the first time in a long while, this paper has the feeling that Britain has a prime minister with convictions and a true sense of purpose. After just six months, she is growing fast into the job.