LONDON — Attempting to regain political momentum after an election left her atop a fragile minority government, British Prime Minister Theresa May said Tuesday that she has to win a “battle of ideas” in Parliament and the country.
In a speech both conciliatory and defiant, May urged her political opponents to contribute their “views and ideas” to help shape policy during “a period of great national change” as Britain leaves the European Union. “My commitment to changing Britain is undimmed,” May said, nearly a year after taking office — and just over a month after she suffered a rebuff from voters in a snap election.
May became prime minister on July 13, 2016, through a Conservative Party leadership contest after predecessor David Cameron resigned when voters decided, against his advice, to quit the EU.
She called an early election in an attempt to bolster her majority and strengthen her authority during Brexit talks.
The gamble backfired when voters stripped the Conservatives of their majority in Parliament and boosted the number of seats held by the left-of-center, opposition Labour Party.
The result means May must rely on deal-making and compromises to pass legislation, and is struggling to persuade her party that she isn’t a lame duck. (AP)