Britain’s new prime minister Theresa May says Christian faith guides her decisions

Originally published in The Gospel Herald

Britain’s new Prime Minister, Theresa May, has revealed that her Christian faith is a significant part of who she is and guides and directs all of her decisions.

May, who had previously served in the Home Office for more than six years, was installed as the United Kingdom’s new prime minister after David Cameron resigned on Wednesday and her lone rival, Andrea Leadsom, dropped out of the leadership race earlier this week.

The UK’s second-ever female leader, May revealed that her Christian faith plays a vital role in her life: “It [Christian faith] is part of me. It is part of who I am and therefore how I approach things,” the 59-year-old former home secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs back in 2014.

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“I think it’s right that we don’t flaunt these things here in British politics. But it is a part of me, it’s there and it obviously helps to frame my thinking and my approach,” she added.

May was born to a vicar, Reverend Hubert Brasier and his wife Zaidee, which instilled in her a sense of servanthood and desire to help others.

“I grew up the daughter of a local vicar and the granddaughter of a regimental sergeant major. Public service has been a part of who I am for as long as I can remember,” May noted in a report.

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“I know some politicians seek high office because they are driven by ideological fervor,” she added. “I know others seek it for reasons of ambition or glory. My reasons are much simpler. I grew up the daughter of a local vicar and the granddaughter of a regimental sergeant major. Public service has been a part of who I am for as long as I can remember.”

She also is an active member of the Church of England: Rev Jamie Taylor, the vicar at St Andrew’s and a friend of May, described her as a “very supportive member” of the historic church and a “hard-working and respected MP”.

Taylor added: “We pray weekly for Her Majesty and those set in authority under her, and that prayer will take on a little more significance for us at St. Andrew’s in the years ahead…On behalf of all at St Andrew’s Church…I warmly congratulate [May] as she prepares to take up the daunting responsibilities before her.”

Her record as a Member of Parliament is mixed, though. She is pro-choice but pushed for a change in the British abortion laws to prevent taking of unborn lives after 20 weeks gestation. She also championed the UK’s homosexual “marriage” law.

Meanwhile, in her statement following the confirmation that she is to be the UK’s next prime minister, May insisted that “Brexit means Brexit and we’re going to make a success of it” and emphasized the country will “forge a bold, new, positive role for ourselves in the world. ”

She also called for unity, strong leadership, and a positive vision for the future.

“A vision of a country that works not just for the privileged few, but that works for every one of us. Because we are going to give people more control over their lives. That’s how, together, we will build a better Britain,” she said.

Haaretz writes in an opinion piece that as the UK’s longest serving Home Secretary in over 50 years, May has a wealth of political experience in one of the most difficult jobs in British politics. She unquestionably has the skills and know-how to hit the ground running.

Haaretz continues: What does this mean for Israel and the UK’s Jewish community? The new Prime Minister is certainly well versed on the threats facing the Jewish community in both the UK and around the world. Indeed, Theresa has been a firm and consistent friend of the Jewish community and Israel, and I believe she will continue to stand up for Jews and the Jewish state as Prime Minister.

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Theresa May already has a strong relationship with the UK’s Jewish community, having addressed a number of major communal events. She played a prominent role in reassuring the UK’s Jewish community in the immediate aftermath of the horrific Charlie Hebdo and HyperCacher attacks of January 2015.

The article by UK MP Mike Freer concludes that May is a true friend of Israel.