The faith of new Prime Minister Theresa May

The new government of the United Kingdom will be led by Theresa May, the second woman Prime Minister after Margaret Tatcher.

The leader of the Conservative Party admits that Christian faith “is part of me.”

In an interview with the BBC in 2014, May said her Christian faith “obviously helps to frame my thinking and my approach.”

The new Prime Minister and her husband, Philip, attend an Anglican church in Sonning (Berkshire). Local parishioners say the couple "attend very regularly and are very supportive", according to Christian Today.

But May keeps her faith as a private matter. “I like to keep my personal life personal”, she says. 

POLITICS TO SERVE SOCIETY

Her family environment has been key in the formation of her worldview and her interest in politics.

“I know some politicians seek high office because they are driven by ideological fervour. 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.”

Some describe the former Home Secretary as both morally conservative and socially liberal.

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

May became one of the first high-profile Conservative MPs to pledge personal support for same-sex marriage and backed the introduction of civil partnerships in 2004.

“I believe if two people care for each other, if they love each other, if they want to commit to each other... then they should be able to get married and marriage should be for everyone”, she said to deffend her position.

REFUGEES

In her role as Home Secretary, May refused to accept a mandatory EU refugee quota system in response to the Mediterranean refugee crisis.

She later disappointed many – including Christian campaigners -  by also ruling out Britain taking part in any future EU system to relocate asylum seekers.

BREXIT

May supported the UK remaining in the EU during the 2016 referendum campaign, but did not campaign extensively in the referendum and criticised aspects of the EU in a speech.