The Rt Hon Theresa May was born in Eastbourne, to Hubert Brasier, an Anglican vicar and Zaidee. She grew up in Oxfordshire and went on to study geography at St Hugh’s, Oxford, before going on to work for the Bank of England. Her political career began in 1986 when she was elected to Merton council. She became an MP in 1997 and is now the longest-serving Conservative home secretary since Henry Matthews in 1892. At the Home Office, she has implemented a programme of radical police reform and is leading the Government’s work to secure the borders, reduce immigration and protect the UK from terrorism. She has introduced a landmark Modern Slavery Act and established the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The first female chairman of the Conservative Party, she also co-founded Women2Win, the campaigning group which works to increase female representation in Parliament. Mrs May lives in the constituency with her husband, Philip, and is an active local campaigner.
1) What is your current position?
Home Secretary and Conservative Member of Parliament for Maidenhead.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
I don’t normally single out one area as our work at the Home Office covers so many important issues but I am pleased with what we have done on Police reform including setting up the NCA and the College of Policing.
3) What inspires you?
My constituents.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Well, the Home Affairs Select Committee draws forth a few challenges.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
I haven’t had a single role model but my parents were always very clear that whatever one is doing, it is important to strive and do your best.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Being able to give a voice to those who, for too long, weren’t listened to or who find it difficult to speak out such as victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, victims of modern slavery and those with mental health problems.
7) And the worst?
There is no worst aspect. Being Home Secretary is a great honour and privilege.
8) What are your long term goals?
To play my part in building a greater Britain.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
You don’t really expect me to answer that do you Keith?
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Edward Whymper, the first man to climb the Matterhorn. I’d like to ask him what really happened on the descent.
